Page 60 of Protected Hearts

She nodded at Oaks’s command, a carefree smile plastered on her face.

“No peeking. I’ll know. Remember, I have younger siblings.”

He guided her forward two steps, then three. She felt the smooth wood floor under her socked feet, but had no idea what direction he was leading her.

“What kind of surprise is this anyway?” Her heart hitched at the idea of their encounter on the enclosed deck, and she almost cracked an eye to see if they were headed that direction.

“Turn left now.” His deep voice took on a gruffer tone that sent chills up and down her spine.

A few more steps and she glided over a threshold into another space. Oaks stopped leading her but didn’t tell her to open her eyes. She battled to keep them shut, even pinching them tighter so she wasn’t tempted.

“It’s been a long time since I had a surprise. I can’t wait anymore, Oaks!”

His low chuckle edged under her skin and sent new heated tingles rippling through her nerves. “Just one more minute.”

“Oaks Malone, I swear—”

“Open your eyes.”

She popped them open and found she was standing in the big dining room. She blinked at the candles flickering in holders spaced evenly on the long table. Light gleamed off the dinnerplates and silver flatware. It beaded along the rim of two wine glasses.

With visions of their shared dinner at the chef’s table, her stomach rumbled, eager for delicious food.

But when she sniffed the air, she didn’t smell any food.

“What’s on the menu?”

He was watching her face closely, his eyes hooded and an amusement playing in the depths. “Usually you sit down before you find out what’s for dinner.”

She cut her stare over his handsome face, down to the broad swell of his chest. Her insides flared with warmth as she thought about him being on the menu. Visions rose up…of him swiping an arm over the table and dishes flying as their passion took over and they used the table for other purposes.

She shook herself a little, but the visions still played in the back of her mind. Planting her palm on his chest, she tipped her head up to look at him. “If I don’t get the chance to tell you later, I just want you to know I had an amazing time tonight.”

That smile in his eyes spread to his lips, tilting them at the corners with a bad-boy smirk. “Come sit down.”

With his hand on her spine, he guided her to the table and pulled out a seat for her. She slid into it and watched with appreciation as he took the chair across from her. Now that she was seated, she picked up the scent of food. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught the movement of somebody entering the dining room.

To her shock and amusement, Carson walked in with his usual cowboy swagger mixed with the cockiness of a military man, dressed in jeans and a Black Heart Ranch T-shirt with a towel folded over one forearm and a bottle of wine in hand.

She couldn’t stop a giggle from bubbling out, then turned her attention to Oaks. “You made your brother serve us?”

True to Carson’s personality, he gave the expected eye roll. He stepped up to the table and poured wine into each of their glasses.

“You don’t have much ceremony for this kind of work, brother, but at least you’re efficient.”

“You know I don’t have time for this.” He softened his growl by tossing a crooked smile at Shiloh as he filled her glass.

She thanked him, and he let out a snort as he turned on his heel and sauntered out of the room.

Twisting her focus back to Oaks, she shook her head. “You thought of everything.”

“I wanted to give you a little treat. Before I forget, we’re having a meeting in the morning with Carson.”

She nodded and then searched his face with a thoughtful expression. “I thought the chef’s table was just a one-off. Then last night happened.” She felt a fizzle of warmth in her cheeks and covered it by lifting her wine glass to him. “I had no idea you’re such a romantic.”

At the mention of their sexy evening, steel sparked in his eyes. He wrapped his long fingers around the stem of the wine glass and lifted it to her.

She clinked the fragile glass off his. “To another wonderful evening.”

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