Sapphire Beautiful by Ren Monterrey Read Free Book Online Page B

I think I could change a million times and still not be satisfied.
    I’m a thirty-two year old trying to look twenty and failing miserably at it.
    Obviously Dante didn’t mind what he saw because he’s coming back for more. And something tells me whatever I put on won’t be on for very long anyway.
    I read somewhere that men hit their sexual prime in their early twenties and women in their mid-thirties. Maybe we really are compatible despite the age difference.
    I decide to wear something a little fancier, a little black dress that fits tight in all the right places. I pair it with the only heels in my closet that don’t look sensible.
    I put on a little more make-up than I usually wear and even poof my hair with a little scrunch spray.
    When I glance at myself in the mirror again I actually look like I’m ready for a date.
    There’s a knock on my front door at exactly eight.
    I bite my lip in an effort to control a gasp when I open the door.
    Dante is wearing a tweed suit jacket that looks like it’s from the 1970s and brown corduroy pants. I didn’t know they still made corduroy clothing. Maybe the pants came with the jacket in a time machine.
    I wonder if this is his attempt at getting dressed up, but failing miserably at it.
    As he stares at me for a few moments he seems to be taking me in. His eyes are gleaming and then a smile sneaks across his face. “You look amazing.”
    I don’t want to lie and say, “So do you,” so I just give him a warm smile in return.
    At nearly the same moment I notice his right arm is behind his back he swings it around and presents me with a posy of delicate pink roses tied with a white ribbon.
    “You didn’t have to do that,” I tell him as I take the small bouquet.
    “I wanted to.”
    He seems a little more relaxed than he did yesterday. Maybe I am too. It’s difficult to be nervous around someone who has already seen you naked.
    “Come in.” I move out of the way so he can enter.
    “Wine?” I ask.
    He nods.
    As I head for the kitchen he follows me. I carefully place the flowers on the counter then pull the wine out of the fridge and grab two glasses.
    This time Dante sits on one of the stools at the counter while I pour the Merlot.
    “Would you like to sit on the porch?” I ask. “It’s still nice outside.” The evenings have been cooling down a bit, but fall hasn’t really settled in yet.
    “Sure.” He hops down from the stool and grabs one of the wine glasses. I grab the other one and we head outside.
    When I flip on the exterior light Dante goes through his routine of inspecting everything that is illuminated by the porch light.
    “Have a seat,” I urge.
    I motion to the small table with two chairs, but he chooses to sit on the loveseat instead. I take the seat next to him and take a sip of wine. 
    We’re both quiet for a few moments.
    “Beautiful night,” I say finally. “It looks like we can see the stars forever.”
    We both look up at the glowing night sky.
    “Nature is the art of God,” he says.
    “Do you quote Dante to all the girls?” I tease.
    Unfortunately he doesn’t laugh. He doesn’t even crack a smile. “There are no other girls.”
    I’m tempted to ask if there ever have been any other girls, but I refrain. I take another sip of my wine instead.
    “I want to take you out tomorrow night.”
    My chest tightens. “I—um—already have plans. Something I scheduled before we made the arrangement.”
    His face becomes a stone mask. He’s definitely not happy. He downs his wine in one gulp. When he rises from the loveseat and walks away my heart starts to pound.
    Is he leaving?
    I panic. I’m not sure what to do. Chasing him would look desperate, but I am desperate. I need the money.
    Before I have a chance to go after him he returns to the loveseat and sits back down. He’s definitely doesn’t show his emotions so it’s hard for me to tell if he’s hurt or angry.
    His intense stare pierces into me. “We have an exclusive