speaks for me.”
When they stopped, he turned to her. “This is what I wanted you to see.”
He pointed across the area to a spot of blue like the ocean with sandy beaches in the middle of a forest. How could that be there?
The scene was so breathtaking that she actually shivered at the sight. While she stood there enjoying the wonder of the lake, she felt him come up behind her and breathe warm air on her ear. “Beautiful isn’t it.” His hands moved to her arms then slowly slid down. Goosebumps broke over her skin.
“Yes, it is,” she said breathlessly. His hands began to move over her body while she stood there admiring the view. Her heart thumped wildly in her chest. God. This man was making her feel things. Ash made her feel things. Both men. This was insanity.
They were quiet while he stood close behind her. She was afraid to move, afraid to break that spell that his touch caused. He gently turned her around to face him. Her head bowed to her chest. His fingers tangled in her hair. He pulled her head back and stared into her eyes. “I’m going to kiss you unless you don’t want me to.”
She gulped and let out a soft moan. “I kind of really hoped you would. What took you so long?”
He chuckled, then the next second his lips were pressed firmly against hers. He deepened the kiss, claiming her mouth. He stroked his tongue over hers, lovingly and then with more aggression, making her lose her mind in the process. Damn, she wanted to get him naked. That was so unlike her. But, between Smoke and Ash, she was going to go up in flames.
“I’ll be right back.” He turned from her and adjusted his pants.
“Where are you going?” she shouted after him as he rushed off.
“Forgot something in the truck.” He ran back in the direction of the parking lot when she turned back to gaze at the blue water of the lake.
It only seemed like a few minutes when he was back in their lookout spot. “Here we go, love. It wouldn’t be a date if I didn’t make sure you had something to eat.” He held up a gigantic picnic basket. “Hope I brought something you like.”
“My goodness, that has got to be the biggest basket I’ve ever seen. What do you have in there? Did you bring the kitchen sink?” She chuckled.
He laid out a large blanket on a grassy area and struck his tongue out. She laughed harder at his silliness.
He chuckled and winked at her. “I didn’t think about the sink. Not sure it would have fit anyway.” She loved feeling so relaxed with Smoke and could see from the laughter in his eyes he felt the same. Then, to make the date even more spectacular, he pulled out all kinds of wonderful things from his magical basket.
First, he set down fried chicken—you can never go wrong with fried chicken. Then came potato salad, a cold bean dish, cheese, cold cuts, and excellent smelling garlic bread. And last, a bottle of wine and two glasses.
“You thought of everything, didn’t you?“
“Baby, I even have chocolate cake for dessert in there. Nothing too good for my princess.”
She frowned.
He raised his brows in confusion. “What? Did I say something wrong?”
“No.” She glanced down and then met his gaze. “I’m just not used to anyone calling me such nice things.”
“Well, you are a princess to me. Get used to it.” He pulled a plate from the basket and put food on it for her.
It was perfect. They ate their picnic supper and enjoyed a glass of wine. Though it was strange having red wine with fried chicken. Oh well, who said they had to be conventional?
After they ate, Smoke cleaned up and refilled the basket. Setting the basket to the side, he lay on the blanket and gazed up at the sky as it started to darken. “Lie here beside me, and let’s watch for the stars to come out.” Hesitantly, she lay close to him. He pulled her closer and had her place her head on his muscular arm. “You can see the stars better out here, away from the lights at the resort.”
He rolled to his side, facing her. “You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.” He slowly pulled a stray strand of her hair away from her face. “You understand I don’t need to lie to you, right?”
She blinked. “Yes.”
“So