Page 84 of Her Paramedic
“Thanks, baby.” He looked at his watch. “We should go.”
Talia took his offered hand and allowed him to lead her out of the cabin. They bypassed the car and headed toward themain chateau. The sun was setting and would soon disappear. She wasn’t sure how many other people were currently staying, having only seen the one couple on their way back from the lake. She had noticed several cars parked in the main parking area of the chateau, and they’d passed a cabin with a car parked outside it on their way to the lake.
When they passed the chateau, instead of going inside it, she squeezed Slate’s hand to get his attention. “Where are we going?”
“It’s not much further.”
After another five minutes, they arrived at a gazebo beside the lake. There were string lights wrapped around the post, and fairy lights hung from the dome, glowing softly. The sun setting on the other side of the small lake cast delicate hues. A table sat in the middle, the centerpiece a vase of beautiful white roses.
Talia turned to him, took his face in her hands, and pulled him down into a kiss. Where had this man been all her life? He constantly surprised her with the things he did, and she knew it was because she wasn’t used to having so much effort put into the relationships she was in, if it wasn’t inside the bedroom. Slate continuously showed her they were striving for the same thing.
Once they pulled apart, he pulled her chair out for her before taking his across from her. She knew she didn’t have to say anything, knew that he was aware of how appreciative she was, and even if she said it, he would tell her she didn’t have to, but she couldn’t stop herself from expressing her gratitude.
“Thank you, baby. It’s gorgeous.”
“You never have to thank me for doing something I want to do,” he responded.
“I know, but that won’t stop me from doing it.”
Their conversation paused as a golf cart pulled up. The woman driving it greeted them before setting the table, pouringwine, putting the bottle in a bucket of ice, placing dishes in front of them, removing the cloche, and placing a few soft mints.
“Bon appétit!” the woman stated enthusiastically before getting back into the golf cart and driving away.
They enjoyed their dinner, watching the last remnants of the sun disappear and basking in the peaceful silence. They were the only ones there, and Talia wondered if it was because others were having dinner in the chateau, were out on the town, or if it was by design. If her boyfriend had made that happen.
When they finished dinner, Talia took a mint and turned her attention out over the lake, watching the moon reflect on its surface. A few minutes later, she returned her gaze to Slate. She’d felt him staring at her and was used to being under his gaze, but this felt different. He said nothing as he stood, extending his hand, and she took it, allowing him to lead them to the side of the gazebo closest to the water.
He pulled a small box from his pocket. Talia was familiar with them at this point and knew that it was a charm for her bracelet. She took it from him, opening it to find a pretty dove shaped out of moonstone.
“A dove?” she asked. All the other charms he’d given her were themed to her profession and platinum.
“You remember asking me if you said anything embarrassing after you had your tooth pulled, and I told you it was that I couldn’t kiss you?”
Talia furrowed her brow, not sure what that had to do with the cute little dove in the box. Unless she had said something embarrassing about them and he’d waited to tell her.
“I do.”
“You did say something else.”
“About doves?” she inquired.
Slate chuckled. “No. The dove is because I think hearts are cliche and overused. You asked me if I wanted to know a secret, and told me I loved you, but I didn’t know it yet.”
Talia didnotremember saying that, but she hadn’t remembered telling him he couldn’t kiss her either. She wracked her brain for anything to say, but what was there to say when she didn’t even recall the situation? He took her face in his hands.
“Then I asked you if you wanted to know a secret and told you I did know it.” Talia’s eyes widened at his words. “But it was a secret that you didn’t remember, and I want you to remember this time. I also don’t want it to be a secret. I love you, Talia.”
“I love you.”
No sooner than the words were spoken, his lips were on hers, stealing the breath from her lungs. They’d kissed plenty of times before, but this was different. They were both pouring their sentiments into the action, showing and not just telling. Talia decided that if she died right then from loss of oxygen, she’d be a happy woman.
When he pulled away, all she wanted to do was pull him back and get lost in him, but she reminded herself that, regardless of them being alone at the lake, they were in public. Though that hadn’t stopped them before.
Slate removed the charm from the box and placed it onto her bracelet, and Talia couldn’t help but smile at it. A dove made of moonstone. Both the animal and the gem were symbols of love.
“Do we need to wait on them?” she asked, gesturing towards their discarded dishes on the table. Her boyfriend shook his head. “Good.” She took his hand and began leading them back the way they came. “We’re having strawberries for dessert.”
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