Free RISE - Part Two (The RISE Series Book 2) by Deborah Bladon Page B

my girlfriend."
    "I'm your girlfriend."
    His brows pop up. "You are. I mean, we haven't established that, but it's obvious, no?"
    It's been obvious to me for a long time. What we share already transcends my relationship with Ansel so it seems trivial to call Landon 'my boyfriend' but it's much better than 'my lover.'
    "Do you want me to ask you to go steady, Tess?" He furrows his brow. "I'll do it for you."
    "No." I pop my hand into the air to stop him. "I'm your girlfriend and you are my boyfriend."
    He nods before his gaze drops to the top of the bed. "I'll text you as soon as I land in Athens."
    "Is it nice there?"
    "You've never been to Athens?" He arches his neck to look back to where I'm still laying beneath the covers of his bed. "I'll take you there one day."
    It's a promise of a future adventure that I desperately need. I'd come to his apartment today after spending much of the afternoon with Clive. We'd gone over the fine details of the Corteck gala and even though I could tell he was impressed with my ideas, he wanted something that would set the bar high. I'd tossed out a few concepts off the top of my head and he'd stopped me mid-sentence to tell me how much he valued my work.
    I had to excuse myself and take leave to go to the ladies' room. It wasn't because I felt overly emotional. I just wanted a minute to myself to bask in the glow of his adoration. He's not an easy person to please and knowing that I impressed him, recharged me.
    Since things have settled into a routine with Landon and me, I've been able to more fully focus on my work. Gabriel is sending me to Los Angeles next week and Landon will be there with me. It's our first trip together and I know already it won't be our last.
    "I can water your plants while you're away." I glance around the bedroom realizing that I don't see one potted plant.
    "I have someone who does that for me." He stands after putting on his shoes. "She comes in a couple of times a week when I'm away but I can leave you a key if you just want to hang out here."
    "Are you ready to go?" I ask as I fling my legs over the side of the bed. I consciously keep my eyes to the floor wanting to mask all of the emotion I feel from his simple offer of a key to his place. "I can get dressed."
    His breath stalls as his eyes rake over my nude body. "I can't wait to get back to New York, Tess. I can't wait to see you again."
    I stand, walk over to where he is, and just as I wrap my hands around his neck, I whisper into his ear. "I'll be counting the minutes, Captain. I'll be counting every minute."

Chapter 21
    ––––––––
    "I have to thank you, Tess." Gabriel moves towards me the moment I step over the threshold of the doorway and into his office.
    "For what?" I stop mid-step. I've been working hard on the event in Los Angeles and even though we're still over a month away from launch, I've already created a buzz on social media. I anticipate that the interest in the pop-up lingerie shop is going to far surpass what happened after the lingerie show here in New York.
    "My brother told me that you connected him with a music producer in L.A."
    I scan his face wondering if he's mistaken me for someone else. The man has to meet countless people on a daily basis. "A music producer?"
    "Ansel Rinaldi's producer," he clarifies as he motions towards one of the two chairs that sit in front of his desk. "My mother told me you gave her the number of his manager."
    I'd forgotten all about that. I've been so fully immersed in the projects for Liore and Corteck that I feel as though I've been living in a bubble. "I did give her that number, yes."
    "My brother is meeting with a producer the week after next. Ansel's manager set that meeting up." A broad smile courses over his lips. "I have you to thank for that."
    I'm more in awe of how striking he looks when he smiles than the fact that Ansel's producer is actually meeting with Asher Foster. "I hope it goes well."
    He nods in response before his gaze