Page 291 of The Bonus

“Totally.” He leads me by the hand down the aisle of the plane.

“I’m totally going to fall down the stairs, you know how clumsy I am, and that’s when I can see where I’m going.”

“Don’t remind me.” He leads me to the door of the plane. “Thank you.” He lifts the blindfold just a little so I can see the stairs as I walk down them. It’s dark outside, and although I try to peek, I can’t see anything of significance.

The wind whips my hair around, it’s not as hot as I thought it would be. Maybe my dream of a tropical island isn’t happening.

Where the hell are we?

We get to the bottom of the stairs and he pulls the blindfold back up and leads me to the car. “Surely you can tell me now?”

“No.” He puts his hand on the top of my head and pushes me into the car and then climbs in beside me. As the car takes off, he takes my hand and holds it in his. “Not long now.”

I smile as my heart races, hardly able to control my excitement. “Just tell me already.”

He chuckles and takes my face into his hands and kisses me, his lips lingering over mine. “Patience,” he whispers into my ear; his breath sends goose bumps up my spine, and I smile, I have no idea if anyone is watching us or what.

This is already the best night of my life.

What seems like forever later, the car pulls to a stop.

“Stay still for a moment.” Gabriel holds my hand to keep me still, he readjusts my blindfold. “Keep it on,” he demands.

Jeez.

“Bit over the top, isn’t it?” I giggle.

“Absolutely.”

He comes around to my side and helps me out. “This way.”

I smile excitedly as he leads me along. “Where are we?”

“Somewhere special.”

I stumble. “If I break my other ankle.”

“Don’t even think about it.” He stands me still and then pauses for a moment as if waiting for something.

“What’s going on?” I smile in wonder.

He slowly takes the blindfold off, and I look around…wait? It takes a moment for my eyes to focus and catch up with my brain.

Huh…I’m so confused.

We’re at my house in Greenville in the back garden on the lake.

There’s a picnic rug on the jetty with candles all around it, and fairy lights hang overhead from the trees. The moon’s reflection dances across the water, and the stars shine bright in the sky. My eyes go to him. “I don’t understand. You said you were taking me to your favorite place on earth.”

“This is my favorite place on earth.” He smiles softly.

My eyes search his.

“It’s where I found you…and them…and us.”

Oh.

“And if I were to be anywhere in the world, I would want to be here with you.”

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