“Hey—am I drunk, or did we just miss our turn?” My hand covers my mouth as I giggle.
His brows waggle at me. “Nope. No wrong turn.”
I watch the lights of the strip pass us by as we continue in the wrong direction. “Where are we going, then?”
“The airport.”
“Huh. Are we flying somewhere?”
His hand slips over my thigh. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
I freaking love surprises, like, love them way down deep in my soul. I know most people don’t, but to me, they’re so exciting, just knowing someone has taken the time to plan one for me makes me feel special. But that doesn’t mean that once I know one is coming I can patiently wait for it to come, because I so, so cannot.
I grab his hand in mine. “Tell me. Please, please, please, daddy?”
“Nope. No way.” He gives a shake of his head. “You’ve gotta wait.”
I rest the back of my head on the headrest, groaning. “I can’t take it. Please tell me, now.”
“Naughty girl. So impatient. My babygirl doesn’t need a spanking to help her wait, does she?”
I take a peek at the driver in the rearview mirror. I clear my throat, tugging my short dress down as if to protect my ass. “I can wait.”
Anticipation grows in my belly as we drive further down the strip. I’m as good as I can be, reading the signs as we pass, trying to guess where we might be headed. I’ve no idea.
The driver takes a right and there’s a sign for a private airport. We’re flying somewhere? I give him a side-eye glance.
He’s grinning, loving every minute of this.
I slide my hand over his. Look at him from up under my lashes and give him that babygirl pout that he just can’t seem to say no to. “Please tell me now, daddy.”
He takes me in for a beat, then gives a sigh of defeat. “Alright, little girl. I’ll tell you.”
I lean over, planting a thank you kiss on his cheek.
“I’ve rented a private resort on Vatulele Island, off the coast of Fiji. Just for the two of us, for ten days, to celebrate your graduation.” He watches my face as the news settles in. “Congratulations, babygirl. You’ve earned it.”
Oh my God, is he…for real?
“I…I don’t know what to say, I mean, I’ve never even left the country before. This is like a dream come true.”
“I’ve got your passport covered, and Shane’s booked Gabriel’s private jet to take us.”
“And clothes?”
“I’ve had Lexi sneaking in when you’re in class to pack for you. You basically wore a tee shirt and leggings for the past two weeks of exams, so I guess you didn’t miss anything she snuck into the suitcases. And I checked your schedule and you’re not on until we get back.” He had something to do with that, too. Wow.
“You’ve…thought of everything. My God, I mean, everything. No one’s ever done anything like this for me before.” And of course, the water works start. I blink back tears as I think about what he’s done for me.
He wraps his arm around my shoulder, pulling me into him and kissing my head. “You’re worth it, baby. You deserve nothing but the best.”
But it’s not the island, or the jet, or the vacation that has these tears in my eyes. It’s the effort he’s made. The planning, the time, the thoughtfulness, the work to get it all arranged. He went out of his way, and worked his ass off, just to make me happy.
And isn’t that what every girl dreams of? Having a man she loves who just wants to make her happy?
The moment is perfect, and I don’t want to spoil it by telling him about the move, so I decide it can wait. Still, my conscience nags badly at me.
We board the private jet and I feel like there’s been a mistake, that I’ve switched lives with one of those celebrities on the channel Lexi likes. The seats are a buttery tan leather and other than a flight attendant and the pilot, we have the entire jet to ourselves.
Rawley lives such a laid back life. His favorite pastime—besides hanging out with me—is hitting the gym a couple days a week. And he’d take pizza from Little Italy over a five star Michelin restaurant any day. Sometimes I forget I’m dating a billionaire. Then, there’s moments like this when he boards me on a jet to fly me to a private island and I remember what he’s worth, becoming momentarily overwhelmed by his social status.
But the moment passes as the stewardess hands me a warm cloth and a glass of champagne. I take a sip of the delicious sparkling wine and somehow, I manage to make myself comfortable with my boyfriend’s immense wealth, grateful for the fact that he likes to spend it on little ole me.