Page 55 of Hidden With You

He comes over and takes my hands. I tug him toward me. “Oh, no. Plans, remember?”

“Really? I thought you made that up.”

“I’m taking you out.”

“Really? You think that’s safe?”

“I’ll keep an eye out for a tail. But I doubt someone is waiting at the Getty Center to take you out.”

I know I’m smiling like an idiot, but I love the Getty Center. “That sounds wonderful,” I say. “And normal,” I add. “Right now, I’m all about the normal.”

I change into a sundress and sandals, hurrying since he’s already dressed in khakis and a T-shirt. Then we take a circuitous route to the Getty Center parking.

It takes us twice as long as it should to get there, but I know he’s making sure we’re not being followed. Probably unnecessary, but I appreciate the care.

Once there, we ride the tram to the top. That had been one of my favorite things to do as a kid. I never went with my mother, but Tricia took me four or five times, each time tacking the visit on to a school clothes excursion because my parents seemed to think that taking me out for anything other than basic necessities was a ridiculous waste of time.

Once on the grounds of the stunning museum, we take our time. There’s no way to get through this entire exhibit in one day, and so we pick and choose what we want to see. There’s a visiting Michelangelo exhibit in one of the halls, and we go there first, suffering through the line so that we can see the incredible paintings and drawings.

After that, we wander through a medieval section, something that’s always fascinated me. But the truth is, my mind is wandering today. I love it here, but my head is more on Jasper than the exhibits. And when we finally decide to grab a coffee and wander through the garden, I’m giddy at the prospect.

“We should have brought snacks,” I say as we follow paths through the colorful plants and lovely water features. At one point, we’re holding hands and walking when Jasper leans over to kiss me. It starts out as a casual kiss but turns into something deeper. So deep, in fact, that I’m thinking it’s time to head back home.

When he pulls away, he’s grinning at me. I grin back, then jump when I hear someone clear their throat. I look up, only to see a woman standing a few yards away, her brow furrowed in a scowl.

“I don’t think she approves,” Jasper says, taking my hand and walking in the opposite direction.

“Just ignore her.”

“It’s because I’m so much older than you,” he says.

“Just ignore her,” I repeat.

“We’re going to get this a lot, Zelda. We can’t ignore everybody.”

I stop walking and tug him to a stop, too. I hold him there, then look into his eyes. “If you’re telling me that this is really a problem, then we need to talk about it now. Because I thought we were past all that. I don’t care about the years between us.”

“It will be different when you’re older. I’ll be older, too.”

“Good on you with the math. And yes. It will be different. Different isn’t bad. So shut up about it or tell me this is over. Because I’m fine. But if you have a problem, then I need to know now.

He grins. “I love you,” he says.

“I know. The question is what are you going to do about it?”

For a moment, he doesn’t do anything, and I’m genuinely afraid that he’s going to walk. That our lovely day at The Getty is going to turn into something horrible.

Then he looks over my shoulder. I frown, confused, and glance that way too. That same woman is behind us, still with the disapproving eyes.

Jasper turns his attention back to me, then he steps closer reaches around and pinches my ass.

“What the—”

But I don’t get to finish the question because he pulls me close and kisses me so hard and deep I can’t help but moan. His hands cup my ass and squeeze. I would laugh, but I can’t with his mouth on mine and his tongue teasing me. Not to mention that I’m far too turned on for laughter.

He’s putting a show on for the woman, of course, and when he pulls away, leaving me breathless, he takes my hand, and we start walking toward her. And then, right as we reach her, I see him wink.

I’m laughing as we start back to the parking lot, still reliving the moment in my mind. “You are evil,” I say.