“We’re not going to lose the reservation,” I say, peeling myself away from her even though it feels like an impossible task. “We’re going to go and have dinner because you deserve a proper date. And because I want to show you off. And then, maybe if you’re lucky, I’ll take you home.”
Hannah grins and smooths down her dress. “If I’m lucky?”
I reach into my pocket and subtly adjust myself before rounding the car to open her door. “Get in and get buckled up before I toss you into the back seat.”
Hannah raises her eyebrows, the same bright shade of red still coloring her cheeks. “Now that sounds like it would be a good time. You’re a pretty muscular man, though. Are you sure you would fit back there?”
She slides into the seat, looking up at me with a smile composed entirely of feigned innocence. I lean closer to her, grazing her earlobe with my teeth. Her little gasp sends all my blood rushing south.
“I’m sure that I’ll fit perfectly.”
Fire burns in her eyes and she squeezes her legs together. I chuckle and stand back up, shutting the door before I let myself toss her into the back.
Tonight is the night I show her how much she means to me. I want everything about this night to be perfect. That means taking her to a nice dinner and spoiling her.
The drive to the restaurant is short, but Hannah smiles nearly the entire time. I can’t help looking over at her and just taking her in. She is far too good for me, but I’ve been working hard to even be half the man she deserves.
The car stops in front of a white stone building with towering pillars. Hannah gasps and leans to look out the window. When she looks back at me, I grin.
“Welcome to The Belladonna,” I say before getting out of the car.
I round the car to her door and help her out. The valet smiles to both of us as he takes the keys and gets in the car. I wrap my hand around Hannah’s waist, guiding her beneath the canopy of ivy that stretches along the length of the walkway. Lights sparkle above us, the glow soft and romantic.
“Holden, this is amazing,” she says, her voice full of wonder as she looks at the colorful tropical plants on either side of the door.
“You deserve the best.”
The man beside the large white doors pulls them open, revealing a wide dining area. I keep my hand on the small of Hannah’s back as the host leads us through a sea of white cloth-covered tables.
He seats us at a curved booth in the back. A dim light hangs overhead and candles flicker in the middle of the table. Hannah slides along the seat to the middle of the table. I sit down and move along the seat until I’m beside her as the waiter puts the menus down.
It only takes a few minutes to pick our meals and place our orders before we are alone again. I twist in my seat to face Hannah, draping my arm over the back of the booth. My fingers brush against her bare shoulder as she leans closer to me.
“This is a beautiful restaurant,” Hannah says, looking up at me with a small smile. “Thank you for bringing me here tonight.”
“I want to spend the rest of our lives doing things like this for you,” I say, my voice wavering slightly. I clear my throat as her eyes widen. “I’m serious about us, Hannah. You walked into my life, and you changed it forever. From the moment we met, I was sure that you were going to be someone special to me. I love you, Hannah. I know that this is all still new, but I want us to be a proper family. I don’t want to wake up in a different room from you every morning.”
Her eyes water as she cups my face and brings it closer to hers. “I love you too, Holden.”
When I kiss her, I see a lifetime ahead of us. All I can picture is spending the rest of my life kissing her like this.
It’s terrifying and exciting at the same time. I clear my throat as I pull away from her. Hannah’s eyes are shining and her smile is wide. She grins as she leans back in the seat, her cheeks slightly flushed.
I take her hand, lacing my fingers with hers. I don’t know where I would be without her right now.
“I never should have let you talk me into another glass of wine,” Hannah says as we walk into the house later that night. “I don’t know how long it’s been since I had more than one glass.”
Laughing, I loop my arms around her waist. “It was only two glasses. How are you feeling?”
“Great.” She spins and stands on her toes to kiss me. “Slightly buzzed, but completely aware of my surroundings. Which is why I think you should spend the night with me. In my room. And then, in the morning, we can move my things into our room.”
“Our room?” I arch an eyebrow, my tone teasing. “You’re moving in, are you?”
She laughs as I pick her up and carry her to her room. I trail kisses up and down her neck as I press her back against one of the walls. Her legs lock tighter around my waist as she rolls her hips, grinding her core against me.
I groan and kiss her, our tongues tangling together as I tighten my hold on her. She moans, arching her back off the wall. I turn and walk over to the bed, laying her down before gently tugging off her dress.
Hannah runs her fingers down her body, teasing me as they dip lower and lower. I watch her, entirely entranced while I take off my clothing. When her fingers dip between her legs, circling her little bundle of nerves, I kneel between her legs.