more and more offers. And there’s just so much more I could be doing if I wasn’t getting these gigs.”
“Such as?”
“I could get a job at a vineyard, get my hands in the dirt, run tours, or present in the tasting room.”
“Sounds nice.”
I roll my eyes. “You’re bored already.”
“And you’re here to change my mind and palate, right?”
“Right,” I say, feeling strangely turned on at the idea of winning him over. With easy traffic, the drive doesn’t take too long. When we pull up to the parking lot, there are only a few cars there. “Well crap,” I say, nodding toward a sign posted next to the entrance. It’s just after closing time. I glance over at him. “What now?”
He puts the SUV in park and lifts a finger. A man appears out of nowhere approaching us, and Lucas rolls down his window. “Mr. Walker, sir, happy to have you with us today.” The man eyes me. “Both of you.”
“Thank you,” Lucas replies genuinely. “I really appreciate this.” The man motions for us to park.
“Of course, the perks,” I mutter with a grin. He gives me the side-eye, and I raise my hands in defense. “I’m not complaining.”
It’s still a few hours before sunset, and we have all the time in the world to frolic…privately. I’m having a hard time concealing my elation. Huntington isn’t just a library. Attached are extensive grounds full of botanical gardens, a conservatory, and museums full of priceless art. We park close to the entrance and Lucas takes my hand to help me out of the SUV. His grip is warm, and when he slides his thumb over the delicate skin of my wrist, heat stirs in my belly before he lets go. Gathering the basket from the back, he again grabs my hand as we approach. At the entrance, an older woman stands in wait at the door without a hair out of place, a friendly smile on her face.
“Mr. Walker, welcome.”
“Thank you, this is Mila.”
“Hello, Mila, I’m Sylvia, the operations manager here at the library.”
“Nice to meet you. Thank you for having us.”
“It’s my pleasure. I’m a huge fan.” She does a quick sweep of Lucas, and honestly, I can’t blame her, he’s magnetic.
“So you met Tim at the entrance, he’ll be chauffeuring you around as much of the grounds as possible.”
“Sounds perfect,” I whisper, a little entranced and Lucas squeezes my hand in response.
More pleasantries are exchanged as I stand in wait studying Lucas next to me. I haven’t had a chance to talk to a soul about my date with Mr. Hollywood, and I’m not sure that I will. So far, it’s still very new and a bit surreal. Tim takes our basket from Lucas and puts it on the seat of the golf cart, and we both hop on. Lucas insists I take the front seat and in seconds we take off past the conservatory. Tim acts like a tour guide about the property, asking us for the specifics of where we might want to go. I speak up, possibly out of turn in my excitement. “I’m more interested in touring the gardens…if that’s okay?”
I look back to Lucas whose eyes are already on me, and he nods. “Sure.”
“The Rose Garden, please, Tim,” I say, clapping my hands together like a kid at Christmas.
After giving us a few details about the library, Tim stops on the pavement at the edge of the garden, and we both hop off.
“Take your time,” he says. “I’ll be here when you’re ready to move on.” We thank him, and as soon as we step into the expansive grounds, out of earshot, I’m exhilarated.
“It’s all ours!?” Lucas nods, seemingly pleased to see my reaction as he takes my hand. “Let’s go.”
We follow the signs down the paver-laced walkway, and I gasp when the entirety of it comes into view. Most of the roses are in bloom, and the smell of them hits my olfactory senses, sending me into a cloudy haze of intoxication.
“Oh, my God.” I’m stunned as I take in the number of blooms.
“Are you a fan of roses?”
“I am now,” I say softly, squeezing his hand before letting go and walking ahead of him, eager to get lost. I approach a statue surrounded by sprays of delicate bushes and admire it.
“It’s the temple of love,” I say softly. Hands on my hips, I look back at Lucas still standing where I left him and see he’s watching me with a mix of amusement