Page 78 of Recon Rendezvous

“You have no idea.”I mean, I call it recon, not stalking.

She just shakes her head and turns to the window. “The options have dried up a bit. But everything looks so different in person. The pictures online just don’t tell the tale. I visited withmy parents yesterday and they told me about how they just knew they’d found their forever home when they walked into it. They said it felt like the most perfect place to fill with their story. I’m hoping to get that feeling soon. I don’t want to wear out my welcome here.”

She finally turns back to me, asking, “What about you? You seem to love your place. Did you know when you walked in that it would be home?”

“Not really. I mean I loved its potential, so I tore it down to the studs and remodeled the entire apartment.” I share as I switch lanes, zooming past someone who probably shouldn’t have a license. “I grew up in a quaint small town a few hours from Denver. My childhood home has the vibe your parents were talking about. My place here doesn’t quite feel the same, but I love it for what it is.”

Stopping at a light, I lean back against the headrest, turning to her to find she’s already watching me.

We stare at each other for a few beats before she licks her lips, asking, “How did your parents meet?”

I follow the movement before I respond, my voice a little gruffer. “They met in college. She was studying fashion merchandising, and he was getting a business degree. Let them tell it, she was wearing some outlandish outfit when he spotted her across the quad, and he just had to talk to her. They fell in love, secretly married within a year, and Mom moved to Colorado to be with him.”

“Aww, I love that story. Tell me more about your family.”

“They are still married and happily in love. They’ll be celebrating their anniversary soon. I told you I’m the youngest of four kids? I have an older brother and two older sisters. My sisters were my best friends growing up. That relationship with my brother came a bit later. But I’m the best uncle to threenephews and two nieces. I don’t get to see them as much as I would like to, but I spoil them rotten every chance I get.”

Her smile is soft as she watches me, and we ride in comfortable silence for several minutes before I spot the turnoff onto the dirt road.

Her eyes widen as I drive deeper into the wooded area. We have about ninety minutes of sunlight left but darkness still surrounds us.

“Okay, seriously. What’s going on?”

“What did my note say?”

“Have you ever fucked under the stars?”She does a poor imitation of my voice, making hers deeper, and I laugh.

“Smart ass. You answered no, so I’ll be fucking you out here, in the middle of nowhere, where you can scream as loud as you want.”

She doesn’t say anything as we finally come to the clearing, and she spots everything I’ve set up.

“Xan,” she whispers. “What did you do?”

Xan. I love when she calls me that.

Pulling to a stop, I take in her wide eyes and my smile grows at her shock.Score one for me.

“This is more than fucking under the stars.”

I shrug. “We’re a few hours away from you seeing stars, the sunset will be nice to look at from here. So, consider this foreplay. You can do with some delayed gratification, can’t you, London?”

She doesn’t respond as I jump from the truck and rush around to help her out.

“Come on, babycakes. Check out what I got for you.” My excitement overflows as I try to see everything through her eyes.

Helping her down from the truck, I lead her to the surprise. She wanted a simple date, and I needed to finally get her naked, wet, and begging for me in a bed. So, I compromised.

In the center of the clearing is a California king raised up on a wooden platform. A fluffy white comforter, silk sheets, and pillows invite us to relax. The canopy bed frame is carved from these very trees and is draped in sheer white panels and protected by retractable netting. Our bed faces the gigantic cinema screen I set up for a movie night. The screen stands proudly in these last rays of afternoon sunlight as the portable heaters even out the temps under this awning of trees.

To our left, Adirondack chairs encircle the blazing fire pit, so we can roast marshmallows for our s’mores. To our right, is the concession stand with all her favorite sweet treats. Skittles, peanut butter M&Ms, Reese’s cups, popcorn, sour patch kids, Haribo sour gummies, lemonheads, nachos with all the toppings, and the necessities for our mega double stuffed s’mores. Staked lights line a path to the bathroom I had built that’s equipped with a generous enclosed shower.

“Xander, this is too much,” she whispers.

“Now, what did I tell you about that? It’s never too much, especially for you,” I say, stroking her cheek.

Leaning into my palm, her smile is soft as her green eyes glow golden in the sun. “I really can’t believe you did all of this just for me.”

“Believe it, baby. I’ll do it all if you let me. There’s nothing I want more than to bring a smile to your beautiful face.”

---