At the bottom step, I lift my eyes, and freeze. Cas is there, piercing eyes locked on me, his smile melting every ounce of fear.
He takes my hand, twirls me, and whistles low. When I’m facing him again, he leans close, his cologne wrapping around me as he whispers,“You take my breath away.”
Chills race down my spine, my face burning. His smirk turns wicked, dimples flashing. He knows exactly what he’s doing.
“You clean up well too,” I manage, though my voice wavers.
His grin widens into a panty-melting smile. I drink him in, blue button-up shirt that makes his eyes brighter, dark jeans, cowboy boots, his Stetson tipped low. My mouth goes dry.
“Shall we?” He offers his hand, and I follow him outside.
Lily and Josh wait on the porch. Lily beams as she hugs me.“Have fun! And you” she points at Cas,“treat her like the princess she is.”
“I’ll take care of her,” Cas promises, and somehow those words lift my heart higher.
We drive through the woods, the setting sun throwing streaks of gold between the trees. When the forest breaks open, my breath catches. Strings of twinkle lights glimmer between branches, leading to a rustic restaurant right on the lake’s edge. The water mirrors the orange-pink sky, as if the world itself is lit for us.
Cas cuts the engine but doesn’t move. His hand finds mine, warm and steady, his gaze never leaving me. Butterflies scatter wildly in my stomach. “Ready?” he asks.
I nod, heart racing, as he gets out and opens my door for me, holding it wide with that quiet patience that makes me melt. I step out, brushing my skirt against the seat as I move, and start to walk toward the restaurant.
“Wait!” I freeze, breath catching.
“Just… stay right there for a second.”
I glance at him, curiosity sparking through the nerves twisting in my stomach. His eyes sweep over me slowly, deliberately, from the crown of my head to the tips of my boots. Heat smolders in his gaze, making my skin prickle wherever it lands. He takes out his phone.
“You mind if I take your picture?”
I just shake my head no, and he lifts his phone, snapping a quick shot before tucking it back into his pocket. Then he walks over to me, the gravel crunching softly under his boots. A faint breeze ruffles my hair, carrying the scent of him, cologne and sun-warmed skin, that makes my stomach flutter.
“You like this,” he murmurs, voice low, thick with want.“Under the orange sky, the setting sun hitting your hair, your smile… and those eyes. Never seen anything like it.”
My throat tightens, pulse hammering in my ears.
He steps even closer, each movement measured, until his face is inches from mine, close enough that his warmth wraps around me. His hand finds mine, thumb brushing over my knuckles, sending a thrill straight to my chest. His eyes never leave mine, burning bright beneath the fading sunset. “Now I can look at you whenever I want” he says, a wicked grin tugging at his lips.
???
The waitress leads us through the restaurant and out onto the deck, where one small table waits, draped in candles, fairy lights strung above, the lake glittering all around.
“This is beautiful,” I whisper, turning to him.
“You’re ten times more beautiful, Sunset.”
I blush as he pulls out my chair.
We order steak and fries, red wine to share. The sky fades from fiery red to deep blue, then finally velvet night scattered with stars. The waves lap softly against the shore, music humming in the background. I feel like I’ve stepped into one of my childhood fairytales and smile.
Cas doesn’t take his eyes off me. “I could spend the rest of my life chasing that smile.”
I feel myself blush. “Don’t you think this is just… magical?” I ask, glancing at the view.
“Yeah,” he says simply. “But not as magical as you in this light.”
I duck my head, hiding my grin.
We talk, about childhood games, about dreams. Cas tells me hilarious stories of growing up with four brothers and a baby sister. I laugh harder than I have in years. At some point, his hand finds mine across the table, warm and strong.
