white dress shirt with cream-colored, somewhat metallic horizontal stripes—subtle, but just enough to showcase the girth of his muscular torso. A few buttons had been left open, showing the groove of his pec muscles without revealing too much. Man cleavage. The sleeves were rolled up to his forearms, displaying a shiny watch with diamonds around the face. His hair, long on top and short on the sides, was stylishly messy, swooshed just a little to the right in a way that enhanced his incredibly attractive face.
He held an orchid plant in a distressed wooden base. The middle of the flower was a bluish white that exploded into purples and deep blues toward the outer rim, colors unlike any I’d ever seen in that type of flower. The base was stylish and amazing and exactly my taste.
“What’s…” I glanced behind him, not sure what I was looking for, then around, wondering if I’d fallen back asleep somewhere and was dreaming right now. “What’s going on?”
“You need a break from this circus,” Mr. Tom said. “You are wound up so tightly you’re about to crack.”
“Right, but…”
“Welcome to the perfect date,” Austin said.
We stared at each other for a silent beat. Mr. Tom and I stared at each other for another silent beat.
“Oh, how wonderful,” my mother exclaimed, listening at the door.
“Mother, stop listening at the door,” I said. I lowered my voice. “Okay, but… There are people who can sneak onto the property. We don’t know when they are going to attack. My parents are here. I’d love an outing, yes, but obviously that’s not realistic. I can’t possibly chill out for a freaking date.”
“We have a window,” Austin said, stepping closer and lowering his voice as well. “Just in case, I won’t hide the fact that I’m taking you out of here. If anyone is watching, they will see that you are traveling with me. Leaving the house. They won’t attack while you are gone—why would they? You’re the prize, not the house. Your parents will be safe, and worst case, they can hide in the walls. Should anything happen, Niamh and Cedric will make sure they are out of harm’s way.”
“But…”
“Jasper, Ulric, and the hotel gargoyles will be following us overhead, close at hand. If anyone makes a move on you, we’ll be ready. I’ll hold the line while you take to the air. They’ve been staking you out at the house; they won’t be ready for a moving target. I doubt they’d be able to regroup quickly enough to intercept us. Even still, I have an underground route they won’t find. They might follow us for a ways, but they won’t follow us forever. I can get you out of here in safety. This is doable.”
“You need the break,” Mr. Tom said. “You need your wits, and you need your rest. Let Mr. Steele take you for a reprieve.”
I stared into Austin’s cobalt eyes, at a loss. “Okay… But wow, you have your work cut out for you.”
“One thing you must know about me, Jess. I always rise to the challenge.” He smirked and held out the orchid. “I got you a living flower. It’s something to remember me by when I’m not here.” The smirk turned into a mouth-watering smile. “Or, if the date doesn’t go well, you can take the garden shears to it. Vengeance.”
I laughed despite my churning unease about the whole situation, moving forward to take the orchid. “Thanks. It’s gorgeous.”
Mr. Tom reached out for it, but I set it on the little table near the door. “The entranceway needed an orchid.”
“Perfect start,” Austin said softly.
“You do need this outing,” Mr. Tom said, “but be mindful. He’s had forty years of practice at these things.”
Austin’s eyes dulled and flicked to Mr. Tom. He leaned back just a little, his smile faltering.
“Oh now, don’t listen to him.” My mom bustled out of the room, where she’d clearly continued listening at the door. Hopefully she hadn’t heard the whispered part of our conversation. “He wears a cape. His opinion is bound to be suspect.” She smiled at Austin. “My, you sure do clean up nice. Well, shoo, you kids. Shoo, shoo.” She gasped as she shoved me toward the door. “Look at that gorgeous orchid. And the base! Great taste. Did you pick that out all by yourself, Austin?”
“Yes, ma’am. Just struck me as something Jess might like.”
“Well, yes, she does.” My mom opened the front door and motioned Austin out of it. “You should have seen