We sat there for a while and watched the sun set behind the mountain, both of us lost in our own thoughts.Lucas stirred and looked down at me.“Walk around a bit more and then dinner?”
“Works for me.Do you have a place in mind?”
“Yes.It’s on the way back to our hotel.”
“Sounds good.”
“Great.”He took my hand and stood.
We spent another two hours in and out of shops before making our way to the restaurant.
“You should have told me you were bringing me here for dinner; I could have done something different for lunch.”It was another German restaurant.Not that I minded, but I didn’t want Lucas to have to keep eating the same food if he didn’t want to.
“I wanted you to enjoy different German food especially since you don’t get to every day.”
Once we were seated, I glanced at the menu.“I’m not sure how hungry I am.”Lunch had been filling, and even with all the walking we’d done, I still felt full.
“Why don’t we do a couple of appetizers instead of a full dinner?”
“Perfect.You choose.”That way, he’d pick something he liked.I hoped.I set my menu down to see Lucas grinning at me.“What is that grin for?”
“You trust my judgment in picking food for you.”The server approached.Lucas ordered a bottle of Riesling, brat and sausage bites, mozzarella sticks, and a family Caesar salad.
“I’ll put the order in and be right back with your wine.”The server then walked away.
“That’s a nice variety.I’m especially glad for the salad.”
“We have to have a vegetable sometime this weekend.”
A giggle escaped, and I shook my head.“Crazy man.”This was the man I wanted in my life.And I was going to embrace him full force.
Chapter Twenty-One
Lucas
Elation filled me when Valerie allowed me to choose dinner.When she made the comment about the salad, I almost laughed.My reply about vegetables was partially accurate.I’d noticed that, more often than not, she had a salad with lunch, and we didn’t today.
Hand in hand, we walked back to the hotel in relaxed silence.As we finished dinner, I’d received a text from the front desk that everything I’d ordered had been placed in the room.Was I planning a night of seduction?You bet I was.I wanted Valerie to understand how much I cherished her and how good we could be together.
I needed to be careful not to move too fast.She deserved to be worshiped.My heart sped up at the thought of having her in bed with me and doing all the things I wanted to do.
Remember, take it slowly.Don’t push her.
The night was crisp, and the sounds of the town floated through the air.I’d have to bring her back here during the Christmas season.Leavenworth was a winter wonderland that time of year.Once inside the hotel, we made our way upstairs to our room.
“My leg muscles are protesting all this walking,” Valerie commented as she slowed during the climb.
“Then it’s a good thing we have a jetted tub.It will help ease those muscles.”
“That sounds so good.”She squeezed my hand as I opened the door to our hotel room.
The lights were low, and the bed had been turned down.A bottle of champagne and a plate of cheese waited for us.
Valerie stopped and looked up at me.“When did you have time to do this?”
“I asked the hotel.Surprised?”
“You have ways of surprising me that I never thought possible.Honestly, right now, that tub sounds wonderful.”
