Chapter 134 Playing Quite Fancy
The rest of their dinner conversation was a deep dive into all things Erica and Maddox.
"He must be pretty good at charming you if he can get you this happy," Caroline remarked, a playful glint in her eye.
Erica paused for a beat. "It's more than just charming me. He gets me. I just have to give him a look, and he knows exactly what I'm thinking. Seriously, if he's not top-tier, he's definitely premium quality."
Thoughtful, great in bed, and with impeccable taste.
"So, if he's checking all the boxes, are you thinking about something long-term with him?" Caroline asked.
Erica grabbed a napkin to wipe her fingers. "Long-term? I haven't really thought that far ahead. The moment you start planning for forever, you pile on all this pressure and get all neurotic about losing it. The only way to extend a relationship's shelf life is to keep it light and easy. So, I plan to enjoy the ride, enjoy the sex, and let time worry about how long it lasts."
"You're so much more liberated than I am," Caroline said, a thought that had crossed her mind more than once.
"What about you? Spill. Any post-marriage revelations?" Erica picked up her fork, holding it like a microphone to Caroline's mouth. "Tell me, what are the perks of being married?"
Caroline froze. Perks? She couldn't immediately think of any, except... well, being happy counted, right?
"It's fun, being with him."
Erica made a face. "Caroline, if fun is what you're after, Bubbly Bar is crawling with men. Every type you can imagine, ready to do anything you want. You can find any kind of guy for that. Why would you need to get married to experience fun? You have to give me something more specific, something special."
Specific and special?
"I'm off the clock," Caroline groaned. "Can you not hit me with such a difficult question right now?"
Erica laughed. "See? You're stumped. With that one question, I've already stumped ninety-nine percent of married people in the country. To this day, I haven't heard a single person make a compelling, logical case for marriage that's actually convinced me."
Caroline knew Erica was child-free by choice. Even if she found someone she loved enough to marry, kids were off the table.
Her perspective on marriage was naturally different from most people's, but when pressed for a specific and special answer about its benefits, Caroline drew a blank.
"Alright, I'll let you off the hook," Erica said, sliding a slice of pizza onto her plate. "Finish this, and then we're hitting the mall to walk it off."
Leaving the restaurant, they wandered into the mall. An hour later, they each had a coffee in hand, but Caroline had also acquired a men's dress shirt.
Erica sighed dramatically. "See? This is what I'm talking about. We browse for an hour, and the only thing you buy is for your husband. You don't even think about getting something for yourself. How am I supposed to get excited about married life when I see this?"
Caroline shot her a playful look. "I did try on some clothes. The style I liked didn't have my size. Is that my fault? If they'd had it, I would've bought it."
Erica saw her own anti-marriage arguments reflected in Caroline's actions. "I feel like after getting married, most women just start prioritizing their partners and kids, and completely forget about themselves. When you start neglecting yourself in a marriage, how can you expect him to keep valuing you?"
"Don't be so dramatic," Caroline soothed her. "I bought him a shirt because the last time I was at his place, I noticed one of his white shirts had a fruit stain or something that wouldn't wash out. He wears white shirts for work all the time. I should buy him one than someone else, right?"
"Oh, really?" Erica's eyebrow shot up. "Is there another woman trying to make a move on him?"
Caroline couldn't help but laugh. "No, of course not. What other woman? You've been watching too much TV."
But Erica was fiercely protective of her best friend. "If there is, you have to tell me. I'll chase them all off, one by one."
Caroline linked her arm through Erica's. "You don't need to worry about me. There's no one else. Besides, have you forgotten what I'm capable of?"
That was true. Caroline had made short work of Atticus, keeping him completely in line. Erica finally let it go.
They picked up a ton of takeout from a barbecue joint, planning a movie night at Caroline's.
The moment she opened the door, Caroline knew something was different. Rose petals were scattered across the floor, creating a path leading straight to the bedroom.
"Look at you, getting all romantic for yourself when you're home alone," Erica marveled, slipping on a pair of house slippers and heading inside.
Caroline was about to stop her when she saw him. Leopold. He was leaning against the bedroom doorframe, wearing a black shirt unbuttoned to his chest, a black tie hanging loosely down the centerline of his chiseled eight-pack. His pants clung to his long legs, and one arm was propped against the door in a pose that screamed smoldering seduction. He turned his head, a wicked, sexy grin on his face, and began to purr:
"Surprise, sweet—"
His voice died in his throat when he saw it wasn't Caroline.
Leopold immediately pulled his shirt together, his expression shifting from sultry to serious in a split second. "What are you doing here?"
"Holding out on me, are we?" Erica's eyes raked over Leopold, then she turned back to Caroline. "You two are into some kinky stuff!"
Caroline coughed, her cheeks burning. "I didn't know you were back. I bought barbecue. Erica and I were going to have a movie night."
Leopold raised an eyebrow. "So, I should leave?"
"That's one option," Erica chirped.
"Erica," Leopold sighed, a slight frown creasing his brow. He crossed his arms. "How about I upgrade you to a VIP membership at the climbing gym?"
"Mr. Wipere, you are too generous," Erica said with mock gratitude.
She spun around, breezing past Caroline. "You kept this little 'perk' of marriage real quiet, didn't you?"
Caroline had no idea Leopold would pull a stunt like this. She walked a mortified Erica to the door. "We'll do the movie night another time."
Erica couldn't hold back her laughter. "Another time? What's on the agenda for next time?"
"Just go!" Caroline felt like her face was on fire.
Erica waved to the man inside. "Bye, Mr. Wipere!"
Leopold gave a smooth, gentlemanly nod and a smile. "Thank you."
Caroline shut the door and walked back to Leopold, her hands gripping the front of his shirt. "You were already back when you called me?"
"I was," he admitted. "I was hoping to get the stage set and the mood right before you got home from work. But then you said you were eating out, so I didn't rush you. Are you surprised?"
Caroline looked at the sea of rose petals on the floor. "It's a nice touch." She ran her hand over his chest. "But I think you're supposed to make me feel even better."
Leopold's arms wrapped around her waist, his eyes darkening with an unspoken hunger.
Caroline leaned in, her lips tracing a path across his taut pectoral muscles, each soft peck a spark that instantly sent a jolt through him. Veins popped on his forehead as his blood turned to fire.
She could hear the wild, frantic beat of his heart inside his chest as his greedy mouth devoured hers. The irresistible, desperate kiss tore away the last of her restraints, and in the blazing inferno of their passion, they both plunged into an abyss of desire.
Long after the storm had passed, Caroline lay tangled in Leopold's arms. "How long are you staying this time?" she asked softly.
He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, his voice laced with affection. "I'm here until the wedding."