Chapter Twenty Eight #2
I had on jeans, a T-shirt, and a light jacket, and Colton wore jeans, a shirt, and a suit jacket, but I could see what the guy was saying. I assumed that up there, the temperature would drop.
"We've got some universal-size jackets. I'll take them with us. I always need more layers than I think," he said, ducking inside.
Colton looked stunned, and I couldn't help but laugh. "You really thought we were going to be alone?"
He turned me around, plastering me against him. "Yes. I had great plans for us."
I was sort of starting to wish we were alone, too, even at the risk of flying into the boonies.
"I want you to be on your best behavior during the flight," I said, fighting to keep my voice even because I was melting under his hot and intense gaze. "I don't want you distracting me. This is a once-in-a-lifetime event."
"No, it's not, babe. I can take you in a hot air balloon whenever you want to go."
Well, I just melted completely.
I smiled, wiggling my eyebrows.
"What?" he asked with a chuckle.
I put my hands on his chest again. To everyone else, it would look innocent, but I was touching his pecs. "I'm just thinking of all the ways I'm going to feast on you later on."
The guy came out a few moments later with jackets and blankets. "All right. Are you ready?"
Colton looked at me. He was smiling. I liked this playful expression on his face.
We were led around the building to the back, where I'd spotted the air balloon.
It was quite a distance away. Colton and I walked with quick steps, anxious for this experience.
Up in the sky, I could see one other colorful balloon floating around.
How had I not noticed it before? Clearly, I'd been too lost in this sexy man and his swoonworthy ways to pay attention.
"By the way," the guy said over his shoulder, "I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Ron."
"Nice to meet you, Ron," I replied.
"So, which one of you is more excited?"
"I think that would be me," I replied, looking up at Colton.
He brought his mouth to my ear. "I love making you smile like this."
Once again, I wanted to jump his bones, but we weren't alone. He had such a strange effect on me. I was giddy by the time we reached the balloon.
"Wait, it's just the two of us?" I asked.
"Yes," Ron said proudly. "Mr. Whitley here requested a private tour."
"You can call me Colton," he said.
"Well, Colton here asked us to make it happen."
I felt even giddier than before as we stepped inside. It was big enough for ten people—at least that's what it felt like to me.
Ron explained security details, but I was only half listening. My heart was beating so fast that I could barely make out words.
A few minutes later, we took off. It was the strangest feeling. I’d never experienced anything like it. I sometimes got a bit sick whenever a plane started off the ground, but I wasn't even the least bit nauseous.
I looked out as we lifted farther away from ground.
“This is beautiful,” I exclaimed.
“I agree,” Colton replied.
Ron stopped talking as he maneuvered the balloon and we floated. I glanced at the trees below us. Some were green, but a lot were also golden and red.
"Are you cold?" Colton asked.
"Just a bit, but I don't want a jacket," I said.
I took a deep breath. The air changed as we went up higher. It felt almost humid, like dunking my head into water. I closed my eyes and leaned my head back against Colton.
I could swear that I felt his heartbeat against mine even though I didn't think that was truly possible because I had my back against his chest. But I felt deeply connected to him, especially when he interlaced our fingers.
Twenty minutes later, Ron started our descent. Colton kept his arms around me all the way down.
As soon as we stepped out of the balloon, Ron said, "Can I interest you in some champagne? We offer that with every ride. It's free." He sounded extremely proud. "But I know some guests don't want that in the middle of the day."
I wanted some champagne, but I wanted to be alone with Colton even more.
He put his arm firmly around my lower back, looking down at me. Since I was wearing sneakers, I had to tilt my head back more than usual to see him. I loved that he towered over me like this.
"Your call," he said.
I shook my head. "I'm good. We can go."
His eyes darkened.
"All right, then. It was great having you as my customers." Ron gave me two cards. "If you liked the experience, please leave a review on Tripadvisor or Yelp."
"I will," I said, carefully tucking them into my pocket.
We bid Ron goodbye and headed straight to our car. There was only one other in the parking lot.
"I loved, loved, loved that," I informed Colton as he opened the door to my car.
"I'm glad to hear it."
"What do you have planned now?" I asked.
"Get in the car first."
With a grin, I did as he said, mentally reviewing what lingerie I had on.
Since I'd dressed for a comfortable day out with the girls, I wasn’t wearing anything overly sexy, but most of my lingerie was sexy anyway.
I couldn't remember if I had black or white lace, so I peeked at my bra.
Black. I had matching panties too. Colton always seemed to be more feral when I was wearing black lingerie.
As soon as he got in, he asked, "What do you think about spending the weekend out here?"
"Really?"
He nodded. "I found a cabin not far from here."
I smiled widely. "Wait, you planned for us to spend the night here?"
He grinned. "I thought we might want some time alone."
"Ah, and you figured we wouldn't be able to keep our clothes on long enough to drive back to the city? You're a genius," I exclaimed.
"Besides, last time we were here, you did mention that you think this place is great for a weekend getaway."
I was so in love with this man that I couldn't even see straight.
"Let's go. I'm excited." I trailed my fingers up his arm.
"What are you doing?" he asked as we drove out of the parking lot.
"You were right. I do have a hard time keeping my hands off you, and since I know we don't have a long drive, I don't have to exercise self-control at all." I leaned forward, moving my hands to the buttons of his shirt, drawing my finger around in a circle.
"Zoey," Colton said in a dangerously low and calm voice. "Keep doing that and I’ll pull the car in a secluded spot and have you right now."
I straightened in my seat, keeping my hands in my lap. Although the idea of riding him here in the car was appealing, I did prefer to reach whatever location he'd reserved. I could be more creative when I had more space, and I wanted to explore him.
He put the address into the GPS on his phone, placing it under the radio. We drove through back streets that we hadn't seen at all last time.
A few minutes later, we arrived in front of an absolutely dreamy cabin.
It was made of wood, but it had clearly been built recently because the windows were more modern.
Even the coat of paint seemed fresh. What I loved most about it was the porch.
The front of it was completely surrounded by trees, and now, in the middle of fall, a mix of orange and red hues interspersed with yellow and brown leaves.
Here and there, I still spotted a few green leaves.
"Colton, this place is amazing."
"I thought you'd like it. When I looked on the website, they had photos that were clearly taken in summer, because the trees were green."
"You looked it up personally?"
"Yes. I wanted to choose a place you’d like." He grazed the side of my neck with the backs of his fingers.
"I could stay here forever," I murmured.
"If you like the inside, I can buy it for us, and we can come here every weekend."
My jaw dropped. He was completely serious.
"C-Colton," I stammered. "No. You don't have to buy something just because I… Oh, never mind. Let's go check the inside. I’m curious to explore it."
He brought his mouth to my ear. "I want to explore you."
I shimmied in his arms. Goose bumps broke out on my skin, but he didn't notice because I had long sleeves.
"That too," I agreed.
The inside was just as charming, all wood decor and large windows that made you feel like you were outside. It had a fireplace as well.
"This must be really cozy in winter," I said, pointing at the fireplace.
"We can come back here in winter too." He stood next to me, glancing around.
"This is the perfect day," I confessed.
He stepped in front of me, touching my cheek and wrapping his other hand in my hair. I loved when he did that. The way he held me was so damn sexy—like he couldn't wait to make me his.
That was all I wanted for the rest of the day.
And for the rest of my life.