Page 35 of Pillow Talk

Setting me on my feet, he turns me toward the bed, and I find my black, Calvin Klein power suit he bought me for my interview tomorrow, draped across the bottom.

“So you knew I would come back?” I tease.

“Knew? No, not for sure. Hoped? Yes,” he explains, smiling. “And just in case, I wanted you to have something else to go with it. A good luck charm. Not that you need luck!” he quickly corrects himself, grabbing a box from the closest and handing it to me.

Taking the box, I climb up to the head of the bed and pat the spot next to me. “What could it be?” I shake it.

“Something that reminded me of you.” He kisses against my cheek. “Just open it.”

Tearing the black glossy paper off, I lift the lid, scooting aside the gold tissue, and see the most incredible pair of red stilettos, complete with pleated bows on the toes. “Ben,” I cry, “I’m speechless. These are amazing. I love them.” My heart beats against my chest like a drumline. I’m so moved by his thoughtfulness.

“I thought since red is supposed to be a power color, it would be a good move. Plus, they are sexy as hell. And they remind me of the shoes you had on when we first met… And.” He remembers. Sigh.

“Ketchup,” we say in unison before our lips meet.

“There is more,” he says, pulling away and grabbing an envelope from the box, passing it to me.

“I don’t want your money,” I warn.

“It’s not what you think,” he urges.

Turning the envelope over, I see his handwriting.

Thought you could use a kick ass pair of shoes to chase your dreams in.

The words nearly blur from tears. Inside the envelope is an acceptance letter and packet to NYU – Stern School of Business. My hand trembles, shaking the paper.

“How? I can’t—“

“It’s my Alma Mater, and my father has a friend on the board. It’s just a matter of bumping your application to the top of the pile. It was still all you. Your brilliant mind, your high test scores, your hard work. All you.

“Are you mad?” he asks because I’m still speechless. I shake my head, willing the words to come. “That check was meant to help pay part of your first year. It was a gift, not a payment.”

Dropping everything, I climb into his lap and say the only words I can think of, “I love you, Benjamin Hamilton.”

He looks at me like I just handed him the whole world and replies, “I love you to, Alexa James.”

His fingertips caress my cheeks, wiping away my tears.

“Raccoon eyes,” I joke.

“I happen to think raccoons are adorable,” he reminds me before sealing our love with a kiss.

“Thank you, Ben, for chasing me, for catching me and for not letting me go.” I moan into his mouth, the kiss deepening.

“You want to try on your shoes?” he asks, running his hands down my sides. “With nothing else,” he adds, and I lift my arms as he pulls my shirt over my head.

“What? No pillow talk tonight?” I tease him.

“You know what comes before pillow talk,” he answers me before flipping me onto my back.

A gasp escapes my lips as he drags my leggings down my body. Ironically enough, I’m wearing my red lingerie, which earns me an exasperated groan from Ben.

He pulls my bare legs on either side of him. Taking the shoes in his hand, he gently slides them on my feet. One, then the other. “Perfect fit.” He leans forward and devours my mouth.

Yes, we are.