"Ha! Come with me."
When he hit the master switch that bathed all the cars at once in light, he turned to watch her reaction.
She stood motionless for a moment, staring. "I'm speechless." He took her hand and as they walked through she said, "I don't even know what some of these are."
"That's because some of them are prototypes."
"No shit?"
Jackson touched her cheek. "That's a nasty word coming out of that pretty mouth."
"Oh, I'm sorry."
He laughed loudly. "I'm kidding! I love seeing that side of you."
As he closed the door, Elisabeth asked, "Are you going to let me drive all those?"
"Well look at you, Miss 'Oh! I couldn't. I might hit something.' Singing a different tune now, are we?" She covered her eyes with her hands and buried her face in his chest with a groan. He put his arms around her, "Of course you can drive them, whenever you want." As they neared her car Jackson asked, "When can I see you again?"
"I'm afraid not until Friday. I'm straight out getting ready for this."
"I could help."
"You would be too much of a distraction."
He put his hands up. "I promise I'll be all business."
"It's not you I'm worried about."
He raised his eyebrows. "Wow." Tucking her hair behind her ear, he murmured, "It's going to be a long week."
"It will go by fast, and after this my schedule is wide open."
He kissed her and she didn't pull away this time. They melted into each other as they had in the park. Jackson brushed her face with the back of his hand. "You make me forget how to breathe." She smiled and blushed as he added, "You know, you really could spend the night and leave early tomorrow."
"No, I need to go home."
"Until Friday then."
"Goodnight."
***
Jackson busied himself as best he could during the week. He thought of Elisabeth constantly, having to resist the urge to call her or just show up. On Wednesday, he was in his music room playing, when Elisabeth called. He answered, "Need a distraction?"
Her laugh warmed him. "No, I called to ask you something."
"Shoot."
"Would you mind coming a little early Friday?"
"How's now work, early enough?"
"I thought maybe a half hour or so before guests arrive."
"Sure, is there something you need me to do?"
"Not really, just calm my nerves."
"I will do everything in my power to help you be the queen of cool."
"Thank you. Friday, then."
"Elisabeth?"
"Yes."
"I can't promise I won't end up on your doorstep before then. This week is becoming insufferable."