“It’s going to be hard to top something this spectacular,” she said.
“Don’t worry, I have other ideas.”
When she turned toward me, her palms flattened against my chest. She’d taken off her heels as we stepped into the hot-air balloon, making her at least three inches shorter than she had been earlier. Her petiteness made me want to hold her even closer.
“You’re already planning our second date?”
“Unless you choose the option of one and done.”
She lifted all but a finger and poked it into me. “I don’t see that happening.”
A reply I’d suspected, but one I still enjoyed hearing very much.
“Then, yes, I already have other things brewing.”
“Will this one be a surprise too?”
I pointed her face up at me. “If you want it to be. Or I can tell you. It’s your choice.”
She chewed her lip, and all I could think about was how fucking sexy it was. And how impossibly difficult it was not to constantly put my mouth on hers. “Give me ahint.”
“A hint.” I leaned my face into the side of her neck and exhaled, “Water.” Goose bumps met my vision, the tawny reflection giving off just enough light that I could see her skin.
“You’re taking me on your new boat …”
I leaned back to look at her. “Good guess.” I smiled. “And, yes, I am. It’ll be arriving in a few days.”
“I can’t wait to see it.”
“I can’t wait to have you on it for the weekend. That will be date two and three combined.”
She blinked several times. “You mean … with the kids?”
“No.” My hand lowered to her side. “I don’t think the kids should see us spending the night together for a while.”
“Agreed.” She clasped her hands behind my neck. “But what makes you think I’ll leave my daughter for an entire weekend? One night is hard enough.”
I hid my grin. “I might already have that figured out.”
“How?”
My other hand joined her waist. “You’re sure you want me to tell you this part?”
“Considering it’s the most important part, yes.” Her sapphire eyes were always stunning, but under the sunset, they were breathtaking.
“Hayden’s coming into town to watch Abbi.”
“You’re …kidding?”
“I sensed that two nights with Michelle was going to be hard on your heart, so I called Hayden yesterday. I had a feeling tonight was going to go well, and it was safe to put my next plan into play. First, Hayden and I discussed Troy as an option. But Hayden said he’s never had Abbi for more than one night, and two nights might do him in.” I laughed. “That’s when I asked Hayden if he would come here.”
“Unbelievable.”
I couldn’t get a read on her. “Are you angry?”
“Not angry at all. I’m just shocked. I spoke to Hayden today. He didn’t let on at all that he knew you and I were going on a date tonight or that we were talking again. He even asked me to come to Lauderdale to visit.”
I laughed again. “I told him not to say anything to you.”
