Chapter 27
Irun my left foot down my right leg, ensuring I didn’t miss a spot shaving. Slip a finger under each armpit to confirm no unwanted stubble. I look at the ceiling, trying to remember if I shaved up my bikini area. Waxing was the last thing on my mind before I left for this vacation and things can get pretty unruly and Sasquatch-like down there if I don’t keep up with care and maintenance.
After blowing a breath in my cupped palm, I take a whiff. Fresh and minty. Did I forget anything? It’s been a thousand years since I’ve had a proper date. I don’t know if this ‘In Case I End Up Naked’ checklist is necessary, but I’m not taking any chances.
Tonight may be dinner and done. Maybe more.
Oh, how I miss more. And Daniel is definitely ‘more worthy.’
Knots tighten in my stomach as I wait for seven o’clock to strike. Tapping my foot in the air, I grab my phone, re-read Daniel’s exchange with my mother, and laugh. He sure made a fan out of her. She was singing his praises from the second I assured her I was alive, well, and still had all my organs intact.
That’s the magic of Daniel.
My heart races as a light tap on my door snaps me out of my musings and back to the here and now. And right now, he’s here. I stand from the bed with my grin growing wider and the butterflies having a field day in my belly.
Am I ready for another relationship? I’m not sure. I mean, who really is?
But there’s one thing I do know. Daniel might be worth the risk.
“Relax,” I remind myself as I straighten out my outfit, a navy-blue and pink gauzy top with a flouncy skirt. Perfect for a night of dinner, dancing, and whatever happens after that.
Slowly, I open the door to find a devilishly handsome Daniel standing on the other side.
“Tess.” There is a magnetic quality in his tone, oozing both confidence and sensuality. His eyes roam up and down my body, making my heart flutter wildly in my chest.
“Daniel,” I answer back, a ripple of excitement trembles from the top of my head to the tips of my toes.
“You look beautiful.”
Blushing, I cast my gaze downwards before meeting his eyes again. “So do you.”
He’s gorgeous. His tan khakis and pale blue linen button-down short-sleeved shirt highlight his masculine physique. But it’s his expressive blue eyes that truly capture me the most. He may look confident and relaxed, but hidden behind the smolder of his sensuous gaze…is relief that I answered the door.
“Are you ready?” he asks.
“I am.” I’m laying to rest the ghost of my past. At long last—I’m ready.
“Let’s go.”
We stroll down the walkway—the soft music from the hidden speakers and the warm lighting along the pathway creating a romantic mood. I gaze up to the cloudless sky, silently thanking my old friend, the moon, for watching over me.
Daniel stops, plucks a yellow flower bloom from a bush, and turns to me. “May I?” he asks.
“Okay.”
Tenderly, he tucks it behind my ear, his soft touch making my pulse quicken. “You make that flower look good.”
“Thank you.” I say, pretending I don’t feel the blush creeping across my cheeks.
“Beautiful night, isn’t it?” he asks as we resume our stroll.
“It’s perfect.”
He gently clasps my hand, bringing it to his lips, and plants a tender kiss. “So are you.”
I pull my hand away with a dismissive wave. “I’m far from perfect.”
“I know,” he says smugly. “I was being nice.”
“Oh my God.” Playfully, I smack his arm. “You’re such a jerk.”
“You mispronounced joy.”
“So,” I tease. “Is this the way we’re going to play tonight?”
“Maybe.” His smile broadens.
A warm glow rushes up my veins and throughout my body. This newly awakened appreciation of life agrees with me.
“Do I need to bring my invisible wall along?” I nudge him with the side of my arm.
Sliding his hand around my waist, he twirls me until I’m facing him, then leans down with his hands still wrapped around me.
“Only if we’re on the same side,” he murmurs in my ear, his breath warm against my skin.
My knees weaken at his touch. The vibration of his voice sends all sorts of wicked, tingly messages to my nerve endings. The scent of his cologne drives me wild.
But it’s his words that make me…
Swoon.
Brazenly, I wrap my arms around his neck, my wrists crossed, our bodies practically pressed against each other.
“So… is this how we’re going to play tonight too?” I tighten my hold around his neck.
“I sure hope so.” Slowly, he leans in, the tip of his nose brushes against mine, his lips tantalizingly close. I close my eyes, readying myself for the kiss I’ve fantasized about. As our lips are about to meet, he pulls away, leaving me wanting more. “But not yet.”
My eyes spring open, and I pout. “I don’t like you right now.”
“Patience is a virtue,” he says with a smirk, his hands leaving my waist as he straightens his posture.
“I never claimed to be virtuous.” I tease.
He grins and shakes his head. “Dinner first.”
“Then what?” I uncross my wrists from behind his neck and drop my hands back to my sides.
“Then dessert.”
“And what exactly is on the menu for dessert? Something maybe a little…hot?” Not-so-subtly, I bite down on my bottom lip. “And wet?”
“HmmMmm,” he hums suggestively. “Warm molten lava cake.”
“That’s not what I was referring to… but I’m not against it.”
He chuckles, placing his hand on my lower back. “Then let’s get to it.”
“I’ve arranged a private dinner here,” Daniel tells me as we stand at the entrance to the beach. “If you’re not comfortable dining here, we can go somewhere else.”
The scent of the warm sea air wraps around me, bringing me a sense of peace I haven’t felt in ages. The moon’s reflection zigzags like thousands of sparkling diamonds dancing in unison atop of the Caribbean Sea. With so many memories that didn’t happen attached to it, I thought stepping on this beach would be impossible.
Matt may have cheated on me and the commitment I thought we made—but by avoiding this stunning place, and only experiencing it from the safe distance of my balcony, I’ve only been cheating myself.
I’m done watching life from afar.
“It’s fine,” I tell him honestly.
“Good. Let’s go.”
Lanterns with twinkling tealights light up the path to the sandy beach. We’re greeted by a server dressed in all white. In the distance is a driftwood pergola with white gauzy curtains tied-back and a table for two with white table linens and matching white wooden chairs under it.
Without a doubt, it’s the most romantic setting I’ve ever seen.
And he made this happen for me.
“Is this okay?” There’s a nervous edge to his voice that makes me smile.
“It’s amazing. I can’t believe you arranged all this.” I gesture toward the pergola.
“It’s just you, me, and the moon tonight.”
“Thank you. I love it.”
“Good.” He nods to the server, who escorts us to our table.
Heels in sand are a crappy combination. Doing my best not to trip as we walk toward the table, I stumble.
He catches me, encircling his arm around my waist to steady me. “I got you.”
“I think you might.”
Crap. Did I say that out loud? Oh, who cares? He does have me. At least tonight.
I’m not sure if you can give your heart to someone you just met… but maybe you can give it one night at a time.
He pauses and gazes down at me with an amused smirk. “Is that so… Contessa?”
Blinking away my dirty thoughts, I shrug a shoulder. “We’ll see how this date goes.”
“To this beautiful beach, on this beautiful night,” Daniel raises his wineglass and tips it slightly toward me, “and the most beautiful woman sitting in front of me.”
Should I undress now?
“Compliments will get you everywhere.” I lift my wine glass, clink his, and take a sip.
He raises a brow and tilts his head slightly. “Is that a promise?”
“I gave up on promises a long time ago.”
“You shouldn’t.”
“I don’t believe in them. Not anymore.” Moving forward doesn’t erase the pain of the past. “Isn’t it amazing how a one-syllable word could turn someone’s world upside down?”
“Love?” he asks.
With a hint of sadness, I shake my head. “Trust.”
“You know, not everybody breaks promises.” He sets his wineglass down, reaches across the table, and places his hand on top of mine. “Do you trust me?”
My eyes shift from our hands to Daniel’s mesmerizing blue eyes. His touch carries a gentle warmth that mirrors the genuine sincerity in his gaze. “Yes. I think I do.”
“Good. Can I trust you?”
“You can.”
With a sly smirk, he raises his hand in the air, waving down our server. “Check, please.”
“What are you doing?”
“Getting everywhere faster.”
“Put your hand down.” Chuckling, I reach across the table to lower his arm. “I made no such promise.”
“Are you sure?”
I chuckle and give a nod.
“Your loss,” he jokes. “Ready for dinner?”
“Always.”