Page 22 of Between Hate and Desire

“We’ll see,” I singsong. Grabbing a vase from one of the kitchen cabinets, I place them on the table. The fragrance fills the room. I take a quick photo and post it on Facebook, tagging Brandon so both of our families can see.

He takes a few steps forward and cups my cheeks. “You are so special to me, Lennon. You’reeverythingto me.” Pulling me close, he slides his tongue against mine. I’m lost in the moment and don’t want him to stop. I am so damn lucky.

By the time we pull away, I’m completely under his spell. Laughing, he checks the time. “We should get going because if we don’t, I’m going to fuck you against every wall in this apartment.”

I lift an eyebrow and bite my bottom lip. “That might not be a bad thing.”

Brandon adjusts himself and swallows hard. “Dammit. Don’t tempt me.” He winks, grabbing my hand, then leads me outside.

“Maybe we should take the bike?” He looks over his shoulder and smirks as we pass his motorcycle.

“And mess up this perfect hair? No way. Also, I’m wearing a dress.”

“True. I don’t want any guys looking at my girl’s ass. That’s just for me.” Brandon grunts, opening the car door for me. “Always a gentleman,” he adds, repeating my mother’s words.

“Shut up!” I snicker, shaking my head as I buckle up, and he climbs into the other side. He loves that damn thing so much and would ride it every chance he got if he could. I go with him occasionally, but it makes me nervous with how other cars don’t see us. Not to mention, my butt gets sore, my face gets windburn, and it sucks to sit in the traffic.

We drive across town, and I soon notice we’re leaving the city. “Where are we going?”

“It’s a surprise that I’m not letting you ruin…”

He merges onto the highway as I try to figure it out. Eventually, we take the exit and head toward the bay. He parks at the harbor, and then I notice a small yacht illuminated with lights.

“Is that for us?” I gasp.

“Thought we’d do dinner on the water tonight.” Brandon grabs my hand and kisses my knuckles. “Come on, babe. Let’s go. Unless you’d rather christen the back seat instead?”

I burst out laughing, then Brandon leads me across the parking lot. Thankfully, the cold weather we had a few weeks ago has passed, and it’s sixty-five degrees outside. So far, everything is perfect. He leads me onto the ramp of the yacht and then to the upper deck where a table is set up with candles and more flowers.

“You’ve completely outdone yourself, baby,” I tell him when he pulls out my chair for me.

“Anything for my girl.” He winks, taking the chair across from me.

A man dressed in a tuxedo walks up and fills the empty wine glasses and hands us two menus. Only six items are listed with no prices, but I can only imagine how much they cost.

“Bonjour, ma belle,” the waiter greets in a thick French accent.

I grin from ear to ear and glance at Brandon, who’s watching me.

“Welcome to Navire D’Amour. Please look over the menu, and I’ll return for your selections soon.” He quickly bows before walking away.

I have to pick my jaw up from the ground. “Are you serious right now?”

A laugh escapes him. “So you’re surprised?”

I nod, unable to contain my excitement. “You could say that.”

The yacht leaves the harbor, and we cruise over silky smooth water. I walk over to Brandon and sit on his lap. He wraps his arms around my waist and kisses me deeply, so passionately, I almost forget we’re outside on a boat. We break apart, and I look up at the moonless sky and see stars, which is something I miss being in the city. As we’re looking up, one shoots across, leaving a greenish trail behind it. Brandon squeezes me tighter.

“Make a wish,” he says just above a whisper.

“I’m already living my wish right now with you.” I lose myself in his lips, but before things can go too far, a throat clearing interrupts us. We break away, and I shyly stand and walk back to my seat.

“I apologize for the interruption, but have you decided what you’d like?”

Brandon nods. “Chef’s choice.”

“I’ll have the same.”

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