What’s he talking about? I can feel the frustration welling up inside. I have no patience. “What is it, Nathan?”
“Ssh… I’ll tell you soon.”
I don’t hide my frown. “I don’t like to wait.”
“Don’t I know it. Trust me?”
Ugh. Okay.
I nod.
He spins me around, and I feel something silky covering my eyes. A mask. My skin tingles, and I can feel my heart beating even faster. I really want to know what he’s about to do to me.
Then I’m airless. He cradles me in his arms and carries me outside, and I can feel the cool night air tickling my skin.
“Where are we going, Nathan? Tell me.” Softly pounding my fists on his chest and giggling, I beg. “Please.”
“Patience, you harpy.”
What did he just say? I hear the breath catch in my throat and suddenly feel dizzy.
He puts me in the car and buckles me up. “Don’t dare take it off.” His voice is low and dark.
Despite my best efforts to sit still and wait, I can’t help but wiggle in my seat and ask him where we’re going over and over.
Maddeningly, he says nothing else on the drive. He just hums and chuckles when I ask him something.
Finally, the car stops.
“We’re here.”
“Can I take this off now?” I tug on the mask.
He covers my hands. “Not just yet.” He gives me a quick kiss and carries me again. It feels like gravel, then wood. I can hearthe water. Are we at the marina? He shuffles me around for a moment, then jumps. Is the floor moving?
Are we on a boat? More walking. Then I feel the softness of a bed.
“Stay still. I’ll be right back.”
Not knowing what he’s up to is killing me. We’re definitely on a boat. I can feel the launch, the low rumble of engines, and then the telltale sway of the waves.
What are you up to, Nathan?
Now there’s a sense of lightness. Like that morning on Sunset Strand. The day he told me he loved me for the first time.
I hear him walk back into the room.
“Okay. So, any guesses where we are?”
“TheAdeline?”
He laughs. “No. Guess again?”
“I don’t like games, Nathan. Just tell me.”
“No more guesses? I know you can do better than that.”
When I answer him with a huff and a scowl, he laughs.
