Page 178 of Foreplay on Words

I laughed as Elle swatted at his arm, pretending to be offended. I had a feeling another grandchild might not be too far away.

We spent the next half hour talking to our family, drinking wine, and enjoying the food. After the sun set, the candles on the table and the dim outdoor lighting made the perfect setting for this get-together.

“I love this place. I can’t believe that Adrian would find somewhere so romantic for a business dinner,” Chase sighed, laying her head against my shoulder.

“He didn’t.”

She turned toward me with a little frown.

“I did.” My voice was a tad shaky, but the look she gave me made it all worth it. She loved this place, and I did as well.

“I always knew you were a softy,” she teased.

“Well. Not all the time, I hope,” I smirked, and she started laughing. I loved listening to her sound so carefree and content.

“Go for a walk with me?” I asked quietly, looking toward the open courtyard.

“Do you think they’ll mind if we escape?” she whispered, nodding at the table full of our families and our work family.

“I think they’d insist,” I told her as I nuzzled her cheek.

“Alright. Lead the way,” she whispered with a little nod, smiling at me as I kissed her temple.

I grasped her hand, glancing back at my father, who gave me a little wink and nodded his head.

It was showtime.

Chase and I walked quietly along the stone path of the cloister garden outside the hallway with the arches where our dinner was held and toward the side of the building.

She started to turn in one direction, but I quickly tugged her the other way. “Why don’t we start over here? I didn’t get a chance to check out the Gothic architecture of the other courtyard when we came in.”

“Alright,” she laughed, “I didn’t realize you were such a big fan of architecture.”

My arm encircled her waist, and I steered her around the corner of the building and out of sight. I knew people would follow us, but I wanted a head start. “Maybe I want to get you alone in a dimly lit courtyard.”

“Oh, do tell. And what will we be doing there?” she asked as she ran her fingers down the buttons on my shirt and let them linger on the one closest to my belt.

“Maybe it’s a surprise.”

“You and the surprises today,” she laughed as she leaned in and gently placed her lips against mine. “I’m going to think you’re a closet romantic or something.”

“Maybe you’ve rubbed off on me,” I told her, closing the distance between us and kissing her softly.

When we separated, I pulled open the door that led into the Gothic chapel, and Chase tugged on my arm. “Are we supposed to go in there? Isn’t the building closed?”

“I know a guy.” I winked and interlaced her fingers with mine, leading her down the steps.

“It’s so quiet in here. I love the stained glass,” she whispered as I led her toward the door outside to one of the lower cloister gardens.

“Come on, let’s check out the other cloister.” I nodded toward the door, anxious to keep moving.

“What’s the hurry?” she asked with an amused smile.

“There’s no hurry, but it’s a nice night,” I insisted, my nerves kicking in.

“Alright, if you’re in such a rush to look at some plants,” she laughed as she followed me toward the stairs that led to the lower level.

I slowed down as we reached the door that led outside. My heart was racing as I turned toward her and gently cupped her face.

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