He chuckles.“You saying I’ve got sexy eyes?”
I flush red hot.“No, I…uh…I mean…”
“Relax, Sunset.” He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, his knuckles grazing my cheek. My eyes drop to his full lips, and I have to drag my gaze back up.
Get your head out of the gutter, Penny.
“Is this outfit okay?” I ask, smoothing my dress. It’s a long-sleeved button-up, cinched with a belt, cowboy boots to match.
“You look stunning, as always. Bring a jacket, though, the forecast says it may rain. I’ve got something outside planned.”
“Okay.”
When I reach for my jacket, he takes it from my hands.“Let me.” He slides it over my shoulders, then leans down and presses a kiss to my cheek. This man.
We wind through the mountain roads for nearly twenty minutes before Cas finally slows, turning onto a narrow dirt lane that dips toward a hidden clearing. Pines tower overhead, their shadows stretching long across the gravel, and when the trees break, the sight steals my breath.
The lake spreads out like glass, rimmed with dark green forest, its surface shimmering with hints of gold as the sun filters through the clouds. A few men stand fishing on the far bank, their voices carrying faintly across the water, but otherwise it’s still, so still it feels like the world is holding its breath.
“Cas…” My voice is soft, reverent.“It’s beautiful.”
He kills the engine, tips his Stetson at me with that crooked grin that’s pure trouble.“Not bad, huh?”
When we step out, I notice a small wooden dock tucked against the shore. A white rowboat waits there, bobbing gently with the current. Cushions line the seats, a wicker basket rests in the center, and at the back, a folded blanket is tucked neatly like he thought of everything.
I stop dead, staring.“Wait. We’re going on a boat?”
His grin widens.“Yep.”
“You planned all this?”
“Course I did. Told you I wanted to spoil you, Sunset.”
My heart does a stupid flip as he offers his hand to help me in. I take it, and the warmth of his grip makes my pulse skip. He steadies me like I’m the most important thing he’s ever carried, then climbs in after me and takes the oars.
He rows us out onto the lake, strong strokes pulling us into the stillness. I watch the play of his muscles beneath that black shirt, the way the water shifts around us, the sunlight glinting on his arms. My mouth goes dry imagining them wrapped around me.
“Like what you see?” His voice is low, teasing, but his eyes are sharp, catching everything.
Heat rushes up my cheeks.“Yeah,” I whisper.“I do.”
His smile fades, replaced by something darker.“What were you thinking about?”
I hesitate, but I’m tired of hiding. Tired of living small.
“I was picturing your arms around me.”
His strokes slow, the oars dipping lazily into the water before he sets them aside. He leans closer, steady even as the boat rocks beneath us.
“I love the way you make me feel safe,” I murmur.“Like I can breathe again.” I bite my lip, heart pounding.“But now I’m thinking about your lips.”
His mouth hovers just over mine.“What about them?”
“I liked how they felt when you…”
Before I can finish, Cas’s mouth claims mine, hot and hungry. The kiss devours me, steals every thought but him. His hand cradles my head while the other grips my hip, dragging me closer until I’m practically in his lap.
“Penny…” he rasps between kisses, forehead pressed to mine.“You undo me.”
