Page 30 of Risking it All

“Actually, we’re not staying in,” he revealed.

“I thought we were ordering room service and watching a movie.”

“Change of plans. You’ve been cooped up inside long enough. I think you could use some air.”

“I don’t know if I should go out right now.”

“Don’t worry. You know you can trust me.”

Pointing at him, I gave him a warning glare. “I’m holding you to that, Mister.”

“You should. Are you ready?”

I lifted my shoulders. “Sure.”

He grabbed my hand, gently tugging me behind him as he led the way to the door. We walked down to the elevator and went down to the ground floor. It was so quiet that I was sure no one was down there. I followed Sawyer down to the end of the hall and out to a grassy area surrounded by a stone path.

Clasping my hand around Sawyer’s bicep, I took the slow stroll down the winding path with rose bushes on each side. The sound of water met me before I saw a creek. There were a few geese swimming along but no other signs of life.

We turned off the stone path onto a dirt trail illuminated by small lanterns flanking each side. As we rounded the deep curve, I stopped in my tracks. Huge trees covered with moss surrounded a wooden gazebo with golden strings of light draped around it. Bigger glass lanterns hung on the inside, providing soft lighting. Smooth jazz music played at a low volume from somewhere unseen. A red tablecloth and silver domed plates were on the table with a vase of red roses and two more lanterns.

“Sawyer,” I whispered.

“You like it? I wasn’t sure if I was doing too much,” he asked, looking down at me with lifted brows.

“This is beautiful.”

“I thought you deserved a nice night out without having to go anywhere or be around too many people.”

“I don’t know what to say. No one has ever done anything like this for me.”

He quickly raised his shoulders. “It’s nothing really.”

“It’s literally not nothing. You have a candle lit dinner by a creek with music and roses. You had to have put a lot of thought into this.”

“As fine as you are and not one man ever had sense enough to have dinner by candlelight with you?”

“Never.”

“I apologize on behalf of my gender, but this is nothing, mama.”

“I don’t know if I’m ready for what you might consider something.”

He flashed a sexy smile as he leaned down and pecked my lips with a gentle kiss. “We’ll see, won’t we?”

“Maybe we will.”

“Ain’t no maybes. Let’s get over here before the next course arrives.”

“Courses? OK then, I like the sound of that,” I said, letting him lead me to my seat.

Once I was seated on my side of the round bench, Sawyer walked around and took his seat. I took a sip from the wineglass that was filled with water, while Sawyer lifted the dome from my plate. There was a spinach and arugula salad with raspberries, candied pecans, and goat cheese. I was starving, so I didn’t hesitate to dig in. The salad was delicious. It was dressed lightly with a sweet and tangy vinaigrette that brought everything together just right.

“Wine?” Sawyer asked, picking up the bottle of red wine from a bucket of ice.

“Sure.”

He filled my glass and then his as I continued to eat. I didn’t notice the man walking up until he was on the steps of the gazebo, balancing a tray.