His lips tugged at her calling him that, after she’d switched to his Christian name in the throes of passion. He didn’t mind being both, not to her.
“What time is it?” she rasped.
“The sun isn’t up yet. Get dressed. I want to show you something.”
Within minutes she was seated beside him in the truck, smelling of the mint toothpaste she’d hastily used and with her hair endearingly tousled from sleep.
But it was seeing her in one of his jackets that made his pulse drum off-beat.
She shot him a look as he turned onto the road. “This better be good to drag me out of bed.” Her voice was rough with sleep, and damn if it wasn’t a sound he wanted to listen to over and over again.
Every day of his life.
“Tomorrow I’m starting sunrise yoga with the guys. This was one of my last chances to sleep in.”
He huffed out a breath. “It’ll be worth it.”
“I hope.” She narrowed her eyes at him, but there was no real attitude in the expression.
They rode in comfortable silence for a while longer. The road curved ahead, the mountains shadowed against the faint light beginning to stretch along the horizon.
“Why are we going to the movie set?”
He didn’t answer, just drove on, and Zee didn’t push. When he reached their destination, he slowed. The same bend in the road where the valley opened up.
The place Zee made him stop before so she could admire the view.
He pulled the truck off to the side of the road and angled it just right before killing the engine.
Zee looked around. “Why are we—”
Church pushed open the door and climbed out, already moving to the back of the truck. He dropped the tailgate. The blanket was already spread out on the bed, along with a small box and a thermos.
Zee climbed out too, curiosity replacing the last of her sleepiness. “What are you— Oh!” Then she saw their real reason for being here—the first glimmer of the sun breaking over the mountains.
She came to lean against his side, and he was so touched by the gesture that a cord in his heart tugged. He brought an arm around her and led her to the bed of the truck.
She gasped again when she saw the surprise. “Grant! You did this for me?”
He smiled and settled his hands on her waist, leaning down to brush a kiss between her brows before lifting her onto the tailgate.
She scooted back on the blanket, legs tucked up to her chest and his coat swimming around her smaller body. He sat close to share his body heat with her and cracked open the thermos.
She caught the scent and jerked her head to look at him. “Coffee!”
He let out a chuckle and poured the dark brew into the little cap that became a cup then handed it to her. For a moment, she just closed her fingers around his and looked up into his eyes.
He couldn’t stop himself then. He kissed her, a soft brush of his lips across hers. When they pulled apart, her long lashes dipped over her cheeks as she glanced down, smiling into the cup as she drew it to her lips.
Light spilled into the valley in slow, golden waves, highlighting the tall grass and glinting on the creek that wound through the land. As they shared the coffee, the deep blue of night faded to soft azure. That gave way to amber and gold, lighting up the mountain peaks one by one.
Zee didn’t speak. Neither did he.
He watched her more than the beautiful view. The way her expression changed from alertness to awe. Her shoulders eased as she relaxed, sagging against his side.
“What’s in the box?” she asked after a while.
He popped open the lid to reveal four fat donuts, dripping with fresh sugary glaze.
