“Good night.” I’m pulled to say more. Even though it was said in the aftermath of making love earlier, this is love. This is the kind found in the day-to-day that reminds someone they’re not alone.We’renot alone anymore. “I love you.” I don’t whisper. I let the wind overhear my heart speaking to his and whisk it away, so the world knows.
“I love you, too, Sunshine.” His lips meet the crown of my head, and warmth blossoms in my chest.
The sound of the city lulls my body into relaxation, but it’s the safety of his arms that has me falling deeper—into sleep and into love with him.
“Is the blindfold really necessary, Daniel?”
Leading me by both hands toward him, he replies, “Yes.”
“I’m not saying I’m against being blindfolded and getting another smack on the ass from you?—”
“What?”
“What?” We’re not moving, so I’m thinking he caught what I was throwing down.
We start moving again. “We’re revisiting this conversation another time.”
“I’d rather revisit you pene?—”
“The Maverick of Hockey.”That’s not Daniel.I try to free my hands, but he’s holding them like he knows I’m freaking out.
“How are you doing, Billy?” Daniel asks.
“Good. Good,” this Billy guy replies. “Is this the little lady?”
“It is.” Aw, Daniel says that with such pride.
Clearing my throat, I say, “I’m right here. And thank you for the compliment, Billy.”
Daniel comes closer but still holds my hands so tight I can’t shake them free. “Promise to leave on the blindfold, Summer?”
“Yep,” I lie like a dog getting away with the Thanksgiving turkey.
As soon as he releases one, I reach for the blindfold. His quick reflexes have my wrists trapped in just one of his hands. “Disappointing,” he says with a chuckle.
“What can I say? Being at someone else’s mercy isn’t my favorite.”
“Trust me, you’re going to like this surprise.”
I hear a metal door protest when it’s opened. My mind reels through fifty different scenarios of where we might be, from jail to the top of the Empire State Building. I have no clue, so I might as well go with the flow. “Well, let’s get on with it, then.”
We move forward. I hear the door close, but this time, the lock doesn’t get bolted back in place. There’s that silver lining. When we find our way into another area, it’s more echoey. “Hello?” I call out to test if my voice comes back to me.
“What are you doing?” He can’t hide the amusement in his tone, though it kind of sounds like he’s trying to.
“I don’t know. Trying to figure out where you brought me.”
“You’re going to know very soon. Come a little farther.” I walk forward with confidence. He’s not going to let anything happen to me despite the hard time I’m giving him. “Stay right here.”
I hear him shuffling and what sounds like a box he’s digging through. Daniel slips a wide knit headband over my head, covering my ears. “You know it’s almost the end of June, right?” I was starting to sweat in the layers he forced me to wear out tonight. I’m comfortable in this room, though, and even feel a little chill on my nose and exposed hands.
“I do know that.”
A scarf is wrapped around my neck. “If you’re going to strangle me, can I at least remove the blindfold?”
“No. Keep it on. Only a minute longer, and then all will be revealed. Hold out your hand.”
I hold out a hand. “Oh my God. Are you about to propose?” I’m kidding. Now if I could only see his reaction. I bet it’s epic.
