“You think the elevator would have been enough,” I hear someone say as they walk by.
“You’re just jealous you’re not getting any lately.” Her friend laughs before they disappear into the crowd.
“Oh my God,” Eve says, burying her red face in my shirt. Chuckling, I lead us over to the table in the corner with the bestview. A reserved sign sits on the table, and I pull out Eve’s chair before taking a seat.
A bar is set up in the middle, with barstools surrounding it. It’s filled with people chatting and drinking. Various couches and outdoor furniture are spread throughout for those wanting to socialize with cocktails and appetizers. Smaller tables are lined up near the railings for couples wanting a more romantic setting.
“This is beautiful.” I watch her take in the ocean view that’s spread before us. The sun is setting behind us, and the golden hues touch her hair, illuminating the strands of red and gold.
“It’s breathtaking.”
She meets my eyes and laughs. “You’re not even looking at it.”
“I’m looking at what’s most beautiful to me.” I watch the red that appears dance along her cheeks. Her eyes are bright blue in this moment as her long lashes slowly lower before lifting again.
“How did I get so lucky? You, Ryland, and this little one,” she says, placing her hand under the table to touch her belly. “It scares me so much at times that it’s too good to be true.”
I reach for her hand and hold it across the table. “I ask myself that question every day. It scares the hell out of me, too,” I softly chuckle. “When I lost my parents, it took me a long time to release that fear that I wouldn’t lose anyone else.”
“And then I left.” Her blues fill with sadness, and I grip her hand tighter.
“But you came back. You, Ryland, and this baby,” I say, glancing at her stomach…“that’s what I focus on now. Not being sad about the past or fearful of the future…it’s being in this moment now with you and our family. It’s loving you all as much as I can while we are together.”
She nods her head and blinks back the tears. “I love you.”
“And I love you, my evening sun.” Her smile is radiant as I lift her hand to kiss the underside of her wrist. “Now, let’s get some food into the two of you. I hear they make a mean mocktail here as well.”
“I might go crazy and get two.” She laughs and picks up the menu. “I didn’t know they did reservations here,” she points to the reserve sign.
“They don’t. You should know better than anyone that I can be very persuasive when I want to be.” Her eyes darken as the corner of her lip turns up.
“The poor hostess didn’t stand a chance, did she?”
“Not in the slightest,” I grin. “I wanted the best table in the restaurant for my wife, and I made sure I got it.”
The waiter comes over to take our drink and appetizer orders. By the time dinner is over my cheeks hurt from smiling so much. It was nice to laugh and talk about all the good times we shared when we were younger and not have any of the pain there that has clouded my memories these past three years.
I pay the tab, leaving a generous tip before we make our way back to the car. The elevator is packed on the way back down but it doesn’t stop me from remembering as we both share a look that tells me we are thinking about the same thing.
With my hand on her lower back, I lead us to our car before helping her in. I decide to take us for a drive before we head back home. Jake texted us at dinner with a picture of Ryland sleeping next to him in his bed so I know she’s good for the night. I want to enjoy this night out with Eve just a little bit longer.
I shoot off down the coast, taking us out of town and along the more deserted roads. Shifting gears, I glance over at Eve, and she has a dreamy look on her face. She’s always loved going for drives as much as I have.
I open up the car more for her, knowing she loves to feel the power beneath her. I don’t go as fast as I usually do because ofour baby, but it’s enough to put a smile on her face. I enjoy the feel of the machine under me as I expertly shift gears around a corner. We are away from the water now and secluded as we take the winding road through the wooded area. A wildlife preserve surrounds us, and except for the occasional passing car, we are the only ones out here.
I feel her eyes on me as I downshift around another corner. Without even looking, I know her blue eyes are watching my every move. I can feel the heat in them as my skin prickles with awareness. My body feels her touch from just the energy swirling around us.
“It’s a beautiful car.” Her soft voice breaks the silence as I watch her run her hand over the dashboard before trailing down to the stickshift. Her hand lightly covers mine as I shift gears again. “Almost as beautiful as the driver.” My body instantly reacts to the tone of her voice and her body language.
For once in my life, I wish I owned an automatic. The need to reach over and feel how turned on she is right now is overtaking all my thoughts. I decide to play devil’s advocate and torture myself.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
EVE
Iwatch him grip the steering wheel tighter as I shift in my seat to try and ease the ache. I’ve been watching him for the past thirty minutes handle this car like a pro along these roads, and it’s got me so worked up that I can’t see straight.
“How turned on are you right now?” He glances at me before turning back to the road. I should have known he would pick up on it. We’ve always been able to read each other well.
