City Lights ("Lights" series Book 1)

Chapter Seventeen- True Hearts

Emma placed the final pin in her hair before looking at herself fully in the mirror. Spraying perfume on just before making her way to the living room to find Henry with his babysitter, she kissed him on the forehead before moving towards the door. Just as she opened it, she found how he was about to knock. They exchanged sweet smirks before she moved towards the hall and he followed behind her, unable to speak as he was blown away by her appearance. As they made their way to the street, she found how his truck was nowhere in sight.

"I thought we could walk...if that's alright. The place is only about four blocks..."

"Hmmm..." She said as she began walking.

"What is it?"

"You struck me as the "prince charming" type...now you make me walk to our first date?"

"I could carry you if you wish."

"That's not what I mean..."

"I promise you it will be worth it."

She nodded before he took her hand just before crossing the street of the first block. An excuse he used just to come in contact with her. She felt how his hands were calloused on the inside as he was slightly sweaty but showed little of it other than damp palms. Before she knew it, they arrived at a large gray building with the sign unlit.

"Are you gonna murder me?" She asked in hopes to be funny.

"If I was, do you think I should say?"

His returned joke made her feel strangely safe. Taking a key from his pocket, he opened the door before opening it and lights came on. It showed a giant glass aquarium surrounding them as they walked down a corridor. He then lead her to a set of double doors before using another key and unlocking that one. He pushed them open before she was shown a beautiful setting for two in what would be used for a ballroom. A stage sat on the far side; closed. As a buffet table sat on the opposite end. She walked in with awe before he shut the doors behind them as she saw the lights from the aquarium relax to a faded light instead.

"How do you have access to this place?"

"I deliver some of their more...exotic fish..." With a twitch of a smirk, she felt as if maybe everything he did was not necessarily legal. But as a rival feeling, she found it had little effect.

"So they just let you have keys?"

"I suppose so...I usually get back from my deliveries around eleven so nobody is here to obtain them. The owner and I have a form of trust."

She smiled before taking a sip of the wine he had carefully picked through for three hours-unknowing to her. She moaned with pleasure as this happened before he smirked, slightly blushing as well.

"So you say I intrigue you...Would you care to explain?"

"You aren't like anybody else I've met. You are responsible...smart...hard working...sweet..."

"Ah...You make me sound like Prince Charming."

"I was never the kind to go for those kind...I always wanted the guys who were dangerous and bad news and maybe that's why I'm where I am now..."

"Having dinner across from a somewhat pirate?" He smirked before taking a drink and she nodded.
But as she pulled away to eat, she noticed how he didn't take his eyes from her.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" She asked with a chuckle before he used his lip to wipe the wine from his lip.

"I'm trying to figure you out love..."

"Really? What do you think you figure?"

"I think you have had your heart broken too many times to count; by your family, by men, by people you've looked up to. This is the reason you turn to the "bad" guys-because you know they'll let you down and this way you'll expect it."

"So you think you know it all then?"

"No. I don't know why you agreed with me...You know very little about me and I know little about you...but I'm good at reading people."

"What else do you see?"

"I see a mom who would give anything for her son. Including her own happiness. I see a woman who is desperate to be loved but terrified to get hurt again so you push people away just before they have the chance to help or actually love you." He paused as she ran her fingers on the top of the glass as she thought. "I intend to break that." Her gaze shot up to him.

"What?"

"I intend to show you that not all guys ride horses or porches. Even those who appear bad-can be good. And those pirates can be charming as well..."

"To being charming...." She said as she held up her glass.

"To being loved again..."

And with that, their glasses clinked and the night began with all cards visible.