Chapter 39
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Hope
The engagement party lasted until evening. The moon was bright when we’d returned. In a few hours, we’d be guests for a wedding weekend, so the spotlight went to someone else.
However, I held Charlie’s hand as the elevator stuffed with friends and family rose. We were congratulated multiple times.
As we got off, Britney said, “We’re so happy for you. Avril talked to Kir about how you two were the real thing last night, so that might have smoothed him over too.”
The rest of my single friends were planning a night to sit and people watch. I had Charlie, and I was no longer avoiding him. I hugged her. “Good night.”
Charlie’s warmness sent little thrills through me. We made it to our door, and the second we slipped inside, he said, “Finally.”
I laughed then slipped off my shoes and dress. As I tossed the dress onto a chair, I followed him and placed my hand on my hip. “Why are you still wearing clothes?”
His lips curved higher. “We don’t need to rush.”
My eyes widened. He’d been all over me pretty much every night. I continued forward. “Are you getting tired now, Charlie?”
He opened the bedroom door in our suite. “It has been a long day.”
I sucked on my bottom lip and headed in. Adrenaline rushed in my veins. “What’s going on?”
Then I saw the bedroom had been decorated. He blushed. “Well, I wasn’t sure…”
“Rose petals, Charlie.” I nodded, picking up a chocolate strawberry.
He took off his shirt. “I had the hotel set it up like we were on our honeymoon when we went down a little early.”
My heart thumped faster as I stared at those muscles of his. “Now let’s enjoy ourselves.”
He tossed off his pants, and I sat on the edge of the bed, expecting he would join me, but he asked, “What kind of wedding do you want?”
My heart soared as I realized he truly was a romantic. I scooted backward. “I always figured if I was getting married it would be in court, and I’d go out to drinks with friends after.”
He came beside me. “My family isn’t going to like that.”
Fair. I’d flown to a private island and now Hawaii. I met his gaze. “I guessed. What would you want?”
He kissed my hand. “Well, I was thinking Antarctica.”
“What?” A laugh escaped my lips.
He stared at the ceiling. “Well, the tropics have been done. I’m thinking a snow-white dress and a snow-topped setting.”
I narrowed my eyes. He was obviously joking. I asked drolly, “You mean an iceberg?”
He pressed his hand to his heart. “You’re not into it?”
I blinked. He was trying to see my reaction. So I shrugged and decided to play along. “Look, if you want to freeze me, then as long as you warm me up after, it’s fine, but how about somewhere my friends might want to go, like a ski lodge?”
His jaw dropped. “I was only joking about the snow.”
I continued on the path he'd started. “This could be a pretty picture you’re painting. I’ve only ever seen snow in Manhattan, which is so not what the storybooks speak of.”
He covered his lips, which was the opposite of what I ached for, then he dropped it. “I’ll fly your friends to the Swiss Alps.”
I nodded and held on to my laugh. “I like that.”
He traced my leg, and I turned to him. “Do you know how to ski?”
Heat rushed at me now. “No.”
He leaned closer. “Maybe the skiing idea isn’t for us.”
“Stop talking.” I tugged him closer.
As soon as our lips met, I forgot everything we were joking about. All that mattered was that Charlie was the one for me.