he’d been hoping to create tonight.
Now for the biggest test of all.
Zach took a breath. “Savannah, do you trust me?”
He sensed no hesitation when she answered, “Absolutely.”
“Will you do something for me?”
“Anything.”
His chest tight at her unqualified answer, he held up a scarf and said, “The next part of the night is the surprise. Would you wear this until we get there?”
Instead of fear or distrust, he saw only excited curiosity. She turned her back to him and said, “Better make it tight. I don’t trust myself not to peek.”
Zach placed the scarf over her eyes and tied the knot at the back of her head, careful to not pull her hair. Then, leaning forward, he pressed a soft kiss to her bare shoulder. “I trust you.”
“I’m glad,” she whispered softly.
Eager to get to the next part of the night, Zach settled her back against the car seat and buckled her seat belt. Then, unable to resist, he softly kissed the sweet curve of her lips, loving the way her mouth smiled beneath his.
With great reluctance, he released her and started the engine. If he didn’t get out of here, they’d end up making out in the restaurant parking lot. His plans included a much more romantic setting and absolutely no onlookers.
Turning from the parking lot and heading out of town, he glanced over at her and asked, “Are you too full for dessert?”
Her smile became even broader, telling him she knew exactly what he meant. His entire body clenched when she answered softly, “When I’m with you, I’m never too full for dessert.”
This was a new and unique experience for her. Not being able to see enhanced her other senses. And oddly, never had she been more aware of Zach’s presence. He had always been bigger than life to her, a fantasy come true. But now she sensed his nearness, inhaled the musk of his aftershave, could hear him breathe.
In darkness, her entire environment shifted to sensation and sound. With the increase in her awareness, she was surprised to realize that she was becoming aroused. With each breath, her nipples, always sensitive, rubbed against her bra and dress. Air from the car vents blew a cool breeze against her skin, caressing and soothing. Inside, she was anything but cool, feeling as though a furnace of heat had been ignited. By the time they made it to their destination for the promised “dessert,” she would be ravenous.
His question about trust had almost made her cry. There had been fear in his eyes. She wanted to erase that fear. The mistakes of the past, both his and hers, were gone. He had her wholehearted trust and it meant the world to her that she had his.
The car ride was lasting longer than she had anticipated. Though the scarf covered her eyes completely, she kept them closed anyway. Zach was determined to surprise her and she didn’t want to do anything that would give her a clue where they were headed.
When the car slowed and the road became bumpy, she fought a smile. She still wouldn’t try to peek, but she had a good idea where they would end up. And she couldn’t think of a more appropriate place to go.
The car slowed even more and then came to a stop. Her heart thudding in anticipation, she said, “Are we there yet?”
“Almost. Sit tight for a few minutes, okay?”
She nodded and was rewarded with a quick kiss on her mouth. Then she heard him open his car door and get out. Several minutes passed. She could hear him moving around outside the car but had no idea what he was doing.
Five minutes later her door opened and Zach said, “Sorry it took so long.”
She felt him unbuckle her seat belt and then he took her hand, pulling her from the car. Before she could comment, her world tilted as he swept her up in his arms and began to carry her. “I don’t want you to get your shoes muddy. It rained a couple of nights ago and the ground is still damp.”
If he thought she was going to complain about being carried in his arms, he was crazy. She laughed softly and said, “I can already tell I’m going to love this dessert.”
Seconds later he lowered her to the ground. She felt something soft beneath her feet and then Zach’s hands were behind her head, untying the scarf. Savannah kept her eyes closed until the cloth was completely gone. And then