Page 39 of Love’s Strongest Soldier

He laughed, then reached behind me to close the door. “How ’bout you just come see.”

His hand settled against the small of my back as he guided me toward the entrance. I noticed the security cameras first. Old habits die hard. Then the discreet guard station near the gate.

Ghost caught the direction of my gaze. “Already checked everything. Perimeter’s secure. Nobody gets in without me knowing,” he assured me.

I studied his face.

“You arranged security?”

“Yeah.”

“For a date?”

He stopped walking. For a second, he just looked at me. Then he said, “Especially for a date. I wanted all my attention to be on you.”

My heart gave a strange little squeeze. He was making me feel things I wasn’t prepared to feel, so I changed the subject.

“If there’s a snake in here, I’m leaving you.” I was lying. Snakes were the least of my worries.

Ghost threw his head back in laughter.

The moment we stepped inside, I forgot every smart-ass remark I’d been preparing. Jesus Christ. Flowers were everywhere. White orchids cascaded from hanging arrangements. Roses climbed decorative arches. Tall palms stretched toward the glass ceiling, their leaves illuminated by delicate strings of lights.

A narrow stone pathway wound through the greenery, leading toward a secluded clearing in the center of the conservatory. Beneath a canopy of flowers sat a table for two. It was covered in ivory linen with gold flatware and crystal glasses. Candles flickered inside tall glass cylinders. A single arrangement of white orchids and deep burgundy roses occupied the center.

I stopped walking. This man knew the way to my heart.

Ghost stopped alongside me. For a long moment, I simply stared. I’d been to some of the most expensive restaurants in the world. I’d eaten meals prepared by chefs whose names people paid thousands of dollars just to say they’d experienced. I’d been given jewelry, designer bags, and enough extravagant gifts to fill an entire fucking room.

This . . . this was different because someone took the time to think about me. Not my last name or money . . . me. It was the consideration for me.

I turned toward Ghost. “You did this?” He nodded. “All of this?”

“I had a lil help.”

Instantly, when he said that, I knew exactly who he was talking about. Solei.

“You like it?”

I took in my surroundings again. The lights reflected against the glass overhead, making the entire conservatory look as though someone trapped a thousand stars inside it.

“It’s beautiful, Ghost.”

His eyes never left my face. “It is.”

The way he was staring at me, I just knew damn well he wasn’t talking about the garden. I hated the way my cheeks warmed for him.

We sat down at the table, and the food was brought out to us. It was insane but in the best way possible. A private chef had prepared a four-course Italian meal, starting with burrata and heirloom tomatoes, followed by handmade pasta with a creamy truffle sauce.

There were fresh focaccia, roasted vegetables, and a bottle of champagne chilling beside the table. I looked at the bottle and then at Ghost. He lifted his brow.

“What?”

“You really outdid yourself, huh? You plan on getting me drunk and then taking advantage of me?”

He leaned forward. “I don’t need liquor for that.”

I nearly choked on my water. This man here.