Jesus Christ.
Soft curls fall over her bare shoulders as she stops in front of me.
The dark blue dress hugs her body perfectly.
Not over-the-top. Not flashy.
Just… perfectly her.
Beautifulin that effortless way that makes my chest physically ache.
I stare openly, completely incapable of hiding it.
Peyton bites her glossy lip, suddenly looking nervous. “You okay?”
Am I okay? Absolutely not.
“You look…” My voice roughens. “Fuck.”
Heat rushes into her cheeks. A tiny smile tugs at her mouth. “That good?”
“You’re trying to kill me.”
Her laugh fills the cabin softly, warm and real.
Mine.
The thought nearly knocks me off balance.
I step toward her slowly. My eyes drag over her one more time before settling on her face again.
“You’re beautiful, Pey.” The words come quieter this time.
Something emotional flickers across her expression. Like maybe she understands exactly how much I mean it.
I lift my hand carefully, brushing one curl gently behind her ear before leaning down and pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.
Her eyes flutter closed briefly.
Fuck.I’m so gone for this woman, it’s pathetic.
“You clean up okay, too, goalie,” she murmurs.
I huff out a laugh. Then offer her my hand. “Ready?”
Peyton slips her fingers into mine. No hesitation. “Ready.”
And for some reason, that tiny detail nearly wrecks me more than anything else tonight.
The driveto the restaurant passes in soft conversation and quiet touches.
My hand stays on her thigh half the time, grounding me. Like I need constant confirmation she’s really here beside me.
The restaurant sits outside Burlington, tucked against the mountains overlooking golden lit water beneath the setting sun.
It’s private. Quiet. Safe.
Exactly what I wanted for her. For us.
