Page 57 of Heart of Stone
“This was magical today.”
The words spilled out of my mouth effortlessly, an appreciative sigh accompanying them.
It had been years since I’d felt so good.
Reid’s decision to enlist my help in decorating his cabin with him had thrilled me. I hadn’t wanted to think too much about it—recalling his mom mentioning how much he enjoyed the holidays—but it was proving to be impossible not to believe there was something else happening.
Especially when I kept catching him staring at me in a way that made my toes curl. Or when he held my hand all the way back to my cabin last night. Or when it seemed that he was simply finding ways to spend time with me.
That Reid was willing to carve out time in his schedule just to do things with me that I’d find enjoyable meant the world.
And he’d just done it again. Reid gave me more time this afternoon by coming over to decorate my place.
It was a wonder I could even keep my eyes open for how little sleep I’d gotten last night. I’d found myself unable to drift as thoughts of him consumed my mind. Eventually, I managed to doze off, and when I woke this morning, I had enough energy coursing through me that I was convinced I could’ve run a marathon. I was so excited to get to spend more time with him.
Suffice it to say, I hadn’t been the least bit disappointed. I’d had the best time with Reid this afternoon. Not only because I didn’t have to spend my time alone, but because I enjoyed spending time with him.
Even though he was completely capable of making decisions about how to decorate, he left it all up to me. He’d done that last night, too. It didn’t seem to bother him that it was his cabin. Reid appeared mostly interested in making me happy and went along with whatever I decided and deemed appropriate. It was entirely possible he could have thought it looked ridiculous, but he never indicated that was the case.
“Magical?”
My eyes took in the work we’d done on my place this afternoon, the sight forcing a smile onto my face. “Look how beautiful and festive this is.”
Reid glanced briefly at the decorations. “You did a great job with it. With both places, if I’m honest.”
I smiled. “This was so nice of you to do, Reid. I don’t know that I’ve done a great job of communicating it to you, but it means a lot to me that you planned this. I enjoyed myself immensely.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” He seemed to stand a bit taller, and a satisfied smile washed over his expression. “Of course, now I’m concerned.”
“Concerned? About what? This looks fantastic. Everything about today was perfect.”
“So far,” he muttered.
My brows pulled together. “I don’t understand. You say that like you believe things are going to take a downward turn.”
“They could.”
I didn’t want to believe his grouchy side was making a comeback. Whatever it took, I was going to turn his mood around. Stepping closer to him, I promised, “There’s nothing that could happen that would ruin this. Nothing that will lead to our night being ruined.”
His chin tipped up slightly to one side. “Our night?”
My cheeks burned with embarrassment. “Well, I mean… I was just saying?—”
“Do you want to spend the rest of the evening with me, Natalia?” There was a hint of teasing and, dare I say it, seduction in his tone. Like this was what he’d wanted all along, and I’d played right into his hand. “Are you suggesting we have dinner together tonight?”
The gleam in his eyes told me everything I needed to know. Reid wasn’t feeling grumpy at all. If anything, he was a confident man on a mission, and that look in his eyes indicated he had every intention of getting what he wanted. Only, he intended to make it appear as though it was me who’d pushed for it to happen.
Two could play that game. My tongue darted out to lick my lips, and my fingertips brushed along the front of my throat. “We did work up a healthy appetite today, wouldn’t you agree?”
Desire swirled in his gaze. “I can admit that I’m starved.”
My pulse was pounding. “What do you think we should do?”
“In the interest of making sure our day doesn’t take that downward turn, I’ll order us some pizza.”
“Mmm. And while we wait for it to be delivered, I guess you’ll have to find another way to entertain me.”
I didn’t know where this confidence was coming from; I’d promised myself that I’d never want anything like this in mylife again. Sure, right now it all seemed like harmless fun and flirting. But wasn’t that how it always began?
