Chapter 32: Chapter 32

Annabelle's POV

"Where are we going, Stefan?" I asked, looking at him. I knew he wouldn't answer but I was curious.

"Surprise, wait and watch, " he said with a smile as he briefly glanced my way. He maneuvered the car with ease, his citrus masculine scent filling the entire car.

After driving for 15 minutes, and discussing our morning outing with Arielle, we arrived at lower Manhattan's Battery Park, turning onto West Street. He drove straight through the gates and into the underground parking of a huge building complex. I checked out the glow sign above the gates, it read, 'The Solitaire'. He stopped and switched off the ignition.

"Where are we? Are we visiting someone?" I asked confusedly. It was meant to be a dinner date for only the two of us, and he brought me to someone else's house. I was totally disappointed, maybe it really wasn't what I thought it was. Maybe it was just dinner, not a date.

"You'll see. Now, come on," he said, getting down and opening the car door for me. He extended his hand and I placed mine in his. He helped me out, then locked his car. Placing his hand on my back, he guided me inside the building to the elevator. He pressed the 20th floor, taking us to the top floor of the luxurious complex. The doors slid open and we went out and stopped in front of a penthouse. Stefan led me to the huge main door and punched the security code to open it.

My jaws dropped at the sheer beauty of the apartment. It was ultra-modern, huge, sparkling clean, and tastefully decorated. Stefan suddenly bent a little and picked me up, carrying me bridal style, into the penthouse. I was taken by surprise. What was he planning to do?

"W-what are you doing?" I asked him confusedly, holding onto his broad shoulders to avoid falling down, my face inches away from his.

"Welcome to my bachelor's pad, Rosy. This had been my home since I was 19 years of age. I shifted after buying the mansion three years ago." he said, his electric blue eyes dark with desire, gazing into mine. From so close, I could see that his eyes were beautiful.

I was speechless. He brought me to his home for a dinner date. I didn't know how to react.

"I can walk, you know,'' I said awkwardly looking into his eyes, willing my mind not to get lost in them.

"I know, but I want to carry you,'' he said, as he strode into the apartment like I weighed nothing. He carried me straight to the family room, depositing me on the plush sofa. It was the most comfortable thing I ever sat upon. I looked around me.

The stunning apartment was lavishly decorated with cut oak paneling and imported marble flooring, with handcrafted furniture and especially commissioned artworks. I got up and checked out the floor with Stefan following me. There was a huge deck connected to the family room through wall-to-wall glass doors with a swimming pool in the corner and a lounge area lined with split-face marble. A modern and sleek kitchen and dining hall were also adjoined to the family room on the far end. Another door opened into an entertainment room with plush seating areas and a huge home theater system. Beside it was a small gym.

"Come, I will give you a tour upstairs," Stefan said, holding out his hand for me to take. I took hold of his hand and he pulled me close, crushing me to him. His arm snaked around me as he guided me through a well-lit wide corridor up the sleek modern staircase upstairs to the bedrooms.

It was a 4900 sq feet duplex penthouse with spectacular views of the Hudson river glowing at night. I could clearly make out the lights shining from the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island at a distance.

''This view is so breathtaking,'' I said and he smiled.

''Yes, only when you're with someone to enjoy it. It's depressing to stay here all alone,'' he confessed and I just looked at him. He did seem lonely at times. Was he unhappy and lonely? I wondered. I wouldn't want to ever live alone in such a huge apartment. After my Pops died, I lived with Maria at the mansion. Thankfully I didn't need to stay alone.

He led me to see the bedrooms. There were 3 bedrooms with en-suites along with a wrap-around balcony connecting all the bedrooms providing unhindered views from each bedroom. Each bedroom was decorated tastefully in neutral colors, with handcrafted furniture and silk furnishings.

Stefan's POV

The whole afternoon I made preparations for my date with Rosy. I made Tristan and Adrian help me. They teased me to no end. Julian went to my house to get gran and Arielle. Dad and Audrey wanted them to spend a few days at their house for a change. I willingly agreed. I was dying to get Rosy all to myself for a few days. I knew Audrey knew my intentions more than anyone else in the world.

At last, the preparations were made. Tristan and Adrian left after storing some of the food for themselves in the refrigerator. They will come back tomorrow to taste it. I got ready at the penthouse itself and left to fetch Rosy.

My jaws dropped seeing Rosy all dressed up for me. She looked so gorgeous that I could kiss her then and there but I controlled myself. I wanted the date to be perfect just as I had planned. It was my first serious date and I didn't want anything to go wrong.

I had planned to bring her home to my penthouse. While living here all alone, I had always wanted to share the amazing views with someone. When I met Rosy, I knew that someone was none other than her. At that time I had no hope that the day would ever come in my life when I could share this amazing experience with her. But God had been kind to me and here I was, lucky to have a first date with the woman of my dreams.

I had put a lot of effort into this. My last date was just for fun when I was in college. This was my first serious one and I was nervous. One look at Rosy and I was already craving to have her in my arms. I didn't know how I would be able to survive an entire evening without touching her, kissing her senseless like I wanted to.

After exploring the downstairs area, I led her upstairs to show her the bedrooms. If I had my way, I could just carry her to the master bedroom and get busy with her, but I needed to take things slow with her. She was stubborn and could take offense at something I unintentionally did. I wasn't taking any risk.