“Okay, now I’m getting suspicious. Just where exactly are we going?”
I chuckle. “Come on, Rory. You wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise, would you?”
She reaches over and touches my hand, trailing her fingers along my knuckles. “Thank you, Bennet.”
“For what?”
“For listening to me. For caring.”
I’ll always care, for the rest of our lives. I’ll never stop caring.
That’s what I want to say, but what I mutter instead is, “Of course, Rory. You don’t have to thank me.”
Chapter Eleven
Rory
My heart swells and my cheeks grow hot when Bennet pulls into the forest clearing.
Fairy lights crisscross in the trees, hundreds and hundreds of them, glittering onto the scene. In the center there is a raised wooden platform with more lights interlocking around the edge, making it look like it’s floating as the foundation is hidden in darkness.
A table and chairs sit on the platform, glistening silver in the gorgeous lights, with a glass vase holding a rose.
Off to the side, there’s a small cabin-style building, looking out upon the platform as though keeping watch.
“What is this place?” I whisper in wonder as Bennet brings the car to a bumpy stop.
“It’s the cabin I use when I fish at the nearby lake,” he says, voice husky, sensation shivering across my skin with each word. “I figured we needed somewhere out of the way… Do you like it?”
For a moment I’m sure he sounds uncertain, even if that should be impossible. I’ve never heard – or even known of – Bennet Bradshaw being uncertain about anything. But it’s there, a quiver in his voice, masked in the gruffness.
“It’s beautiful,” I whisper. “But aren’t we going to be cold?”
He chuckles and reaches across, trailing his fingers over my shoulder to my cheek. My body responds automatically, assailing me with a thousand tempting sensations, warmth and contentment, and hunger whispering over my skin.
My lips still tingle from the kiss, needing more.
“I can think of a few ways to keep warm.”
“Bennet…”
I turn to him, giving him a look. I hope he can see that I want it, want it badly, but I’m not ready to simply throw myself into the deep end yet.
“What?” He grins, flashing his teeth like a wolf. “I was talking about the fact I installed heaters outside, Rory. Really, you need to get your mind out of the gutter.”
I giggle and slap his chest, feeling his firm pecs. “Somehow I think that’s not what you meant.”
He tsk’s, chuckling as he removes his hand. “Such a dirty, dirty mind…”
“What about food?” I ask, and then wish I could snatch the words back.
It makes me sound like all I want to do is stuff my face when he’s brought me to this beautiful mood-lit place. And yet I can’t deny my belly is rumbling. I’ve been so nervous all day, I haven’t eaten a single freaking thing, which is unusual for me.
“What, Rory?” Bennet asks softly.
“What?” I echo back.
He looks closely at me, his icy blues seeing everything. “Maybe I can’t read you as well as I thought, but that look you just got… it was like you felt guilty or something.”
“Why would I be guilty?” I say my tone is snappy. But I can’t help it.
Bennet doesn’t bite on the annoyance, simply stares. “That’s what I’m asking you.”
I throw my hands up, letting out a huff. Why am I acting like this? I don’t know. I just don’t want to talk about my weight right now. Or ever.
“I don’t want you to think I’m some pig whose only concern is stuffing her face when we’re supposed to be enjoying our date. Okay? Are you happy now?”
“Rory, don’t say things like that,” he growls. “Never say things like that. Your body is fucking perfect, curvy in all the right places, downright captivating. I don’t want you to put yourself down, not now or ever. Understand?”
I swallow at the force of his words. His tone is so certain, the complete opposite of how I feel most of the time.
“I said, do you understand?” he growls.
“Yes,” I whimper softly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you angry.”
“I just don’t want you to put yourself down. There’s no need for it. You truly are beautiful, Rory. Your body drives me crazy, makes me want to drag you into the cabin right now… the warm cabin, and strip off your clothes and… Fuck, see, just thinking about it turns me into an animal.”
He's sitting up, a vein pulsing in his neck. But then he slumps back, laughing with a disbelieving note in the noise.
“We really need to get out there before I can’t take it anymore. And by the way, the food is going to be prepared by yours truly. Nothing fancy, just some steaks and fries. I thought I’d go with a safe option.”
“That sounds amazing.” My belly gives another rumble. “Really amazing.”