บททั้งหมดของ Dive in Deep: บทที่ 31 - บทที่ 40

SadeI felt like I was in a dream. I had come to Lake Tahoe with expectations of having a good time with my friends, doing a little drinking, sunbathing, and maybe some shopping. I had never imagined I would meet a man that checked all the boxes.He was everything a woman could want, and he was interested in me. I must have reminded myself of that at least a hundred times. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t believe it was really happening. It was. It was real. He was very real and sitting a few inches away from me in the backseat of his chauffeured car as we took a scenic way back to the hotel.“I’m sorry,” he said, looking apologetic. “I have to check my email. Richie has been blowing up my phone, and I need to make sure there is nothing too important.”“Don’t be sorry. You have a business to run. I’m fine just staring out the window.”I was at peace. I had hated the idea of accepting the scarf from him, but ultimately, I accepted it for the gift that it was. It was expensive in my eyes, but in

TrentThe financials were looking good for the acquisition. It was hard to sell a huge investment when I couldn’t really promise a great profit for several years. Fortunately, I was the boss, and if I lost some money in the deal, it wouldn’t kill me.I wanted to throw money at the project until it worked. I knew it would work, but it was going to cost. After a final review of the numbers, I sent it over to my accountant to give his stamp of approval. I wasn’t worried he’d reject it. He knew better. He’d work his magic and make it happen.I checked the time and fought back the disappointment. Sade hadn’t called or texted. It was after ten. I knew she would have been up already. Maybe I had misread the signs yesterday. Maybe I had pushed too hard. I had kind of insinuated myself into her vacation. I should have skipped the dinner invitation.Dammit. I was desperate to spend more time with her. I had probably freaked her out. She was likely thinking I was a stalker or a guy looking for a

SadeMe and the girls walked through the lobby, and all I could think about was Charlie’s Angels, the newer version. I was Drew, Khloe was Lucy, and Julia was Cameron. I could practically feel my hair blowing back as I walked. We all dressed casually after getting a text from Trent, saying nothing fancy. It was warm enough to wear shorts, which we had all opted for. I wore one of the new blouses I had picked up on our shopping trip the night before. It was pale pink and flowy, and made me feel pretty.“That’s him,” I said, pointing to the car with Bentley waiting out front.“If you marry this guy or even if you officially date him, I’m going to have to ask for a stretch limo,” Khloe said.I laughed. “I’ll get right on that.”“Any idea where we’re going?” Julia asked, getting in the backseat.“Nope, but he said casual,” I answered.I had been incredibly relieved when I got the text from him. I had been a little nervous about a fancy dinner at a steakhouse or something equally expensive

TrentI had been like a little kid waiting for Christmas morning all damn day. I was anxious for my night alone with Sade—truly alone. No parties, no friends, no public. Just me and her. I hated that it was our last night together. I kept pushing the thought from my mind, focusing on the evening ahead and trying to remind myself to be positive and not focused on the negative.I left work early and was on my way home. I could feel energy buzzing through me. My feet were tapping the floorboard in the backseat of the car, anxious to get home, shower, change, and check on the preparations for our romantic dinner in.After giving the matter some thought last night, I had decided to go all out and order in. I wanted her all to myself. I wanted to be able to kiss her whenever I felt like it without worrying about who was watching and what would be gossiped about the following day.“You okay back there?” Bentley asked, looking in the rearview mirror.I grinned and nodded. “I am. Just a little

SadeI had to tell him. It wasn’t a secret I could keep if I was going to do this with him.My stomach was twisting and turning with nervousness while the rest of my body was humming with excitement at the very idea of what was to come. I did want him. I had made up my mind I was ready to take this next step with him, but I couldn’t do it and not tell him the situation. I wasn’t sure if he would know, but I had a feeling he’d figure it out.We walked into the house, and he started to move toward a hallway I assumed would lead to his bedroom. It was now or never. I knew once things got started, there was no turning back. I didn’t want him to think I was duping him.I took a deep breath and pulled his hand, telling him to stop. He turned to look at me, concern and what I thought was disappointment on his face.“Sade?”“I need to tell you something,” I started.“What is it?” he asked, dropping my hand.I bit my bottom lip, suddenly very embarrassed. “I’ve never done this before.”He nodd