“It smells amazing,” Becky remarked, watching while I removed the tray from the oven and put it on the stovetop.
“I hope it tastes amazing too,” I winked, throwing the oven mitts down on the counter before I put my hand on the small of her back. I led her out the sliding doors to the patio, where we’d be eating. Candles illuminated the table for two, and wine chilled in a bucket. I pulled a chair out for her, holding it while she sat. “Wine?”
“Sure, just a little though,” she replied, her fingers toying with the layered material of herdress.
“I’ll be right back,” I said after I’d filled both our glasses. When I returned with two plates, Becky was staring out at thelake.
“You’ve got a beautiful view,” she commented, smiling at me when I set her platedown.
“I agree,” I responded, my eyes still on her when I sat down. I didn’t think I could pull my eyes away from her if my life depended on it. “You’re beautiful,Becs.”
Her cheeks flushed and she smiled with just the corner of her lips. “Thanks.”
After dinner, we went for a walk so I could show her the grounds. The stone pathway that led to the dock was lit up with little solar lights, and the dock itself had twinkle lights weaved around the posts, reflecting off the lake and illumining the wooden dock in a soft glow. I may have taken a page out of Elle’s book, hell-bent on making this a night to remember for the both ofus.
“Wow, it’s breathtaking,” she murmured, looking out at the moon over the lake. Becky closed her eyes at the sound of the loons calling to one another, smiling like it was the most beautiful thing she’d everheard.
“It really is,” I agreed. “I do love it out here. It’s one of my favourite places tobe.”
“In all theworld?”
“In all the world,” I answeredhonestly.
She let out a contented sigh, slipping off her shoes before she sat down on the end of the dock. She dipped her toe in to test the temperature before submerging bothfeet.
I pulled off my shoes and socks and rolled my jeans before joining her. The water was refreshinglycool.
“I’ve got to ask,” she said, glancing at me with a subtle smile on her lips. “Who taught you how to cook likethat?”
“My mom,” I answered honestly. “She believes everyone should know how to cook a decentmeal.”
“She’s not going to like me very much, then,” she cracked a small smile. “I can cook basic meals, but I botch almost all breakfast foods—save for cereal—and I can’t bake at all. Aiden practically cries whenever Itry.”
“If I can be taught, you can be taught,” Ilaughed.
We sat in silence for a little bit, both of us finding our footing with one another. It should have felt odd going from knowing exactly what we were, to figuring out how to be something different—but this feltright.
“Tell me more about little Travis,” she asked, lips kicking up in another hesitant smile. I could tell she was still a little uncomfortable in this date like setting, but she seemed to be enjoyingherself.
“I hope you’re referring to me as a kid,” I joked, arching a brow at her. She laughed, her smile growing and her blue eyessparkling.
“Obviously I’m not asking about your dick,” she shot back. I laughed, unable to resist kissing the tip of her nose. “I remember that one talent show you did…but when did you startsinging?”
“My mom says I’ve been singing longer than I’ve been talking. We had this old record player, and stacks of old country records. We didn’t have TV, so we sang a lot,” I answered with a reminiscing smile. I shrugged. “What about you? When did you decide you wanted to become anurse?”
“After Aiden was born,” she answered, her jaw tensing a little as she gazed out at the moon over the lake. “I met this incredible nurse on Aiden’s first day in NICU. She changed mylife.”
“I think you did that all on your own,” I murmured, hoping she’dcontinue.
She turned her head to meet my eyes, offering me a small smile. “I wanted to be like her, to help women going through such a scary, devastating time find their footing. I wanted to help babies that needed the extra tender touch, the fragile ones—like Aiden. I’m still working my way up, obviously…but that’s the endgoal.”
I brought my hand up to cup her face. “You amaze me,” I told her softly. I kissed her then, my lips brushing against hers reverently. It completely blew my mind, all that she’d been through and all that she strived for despite ofit.
Becky was silent strength and determination, and a whole lot of heart. To pursue the career she had after enduring the past she’d had wasunfathomable.
I ended the kiss sooner than I would have liked. I was trying to be a gentleman, but my cock strained against my jeans, protesting the loss of her lips onmine.
My desire to have her warred with my desire to know everything abouther.
