Page 75 of Seducing Hope (The Hope Legacy)

My skin heats in contrast to the calm, chilly evening. The lack of limo makes me search the street. He strides toward a black Audi R8 and opens the passenger door. I inspect the car. Fast, sleek, with a lot of attitude and unmistakable quality. He arches an eyebrow in challenge—he must think I’m contemplating running.

“I was deciding if the car suits you.” I settle myself into the seat and turn on the radio; Rhianna’s “S&M” blasts through the car. I crack up laughing as he climbs into his seat to what will now become his tagline—“’Cause I may be bad, but I’m perfectly good at it.” He slides a glance my way, and I wave my hand at him, indicating he should drive. Shaking his head, he pulls out into traffic, revving the engine.

My grin widens. “What are you, seventeen?”

One side of his mouth quirks. “I assure you, I’m not seventeen in any way—my driving, my actions… or my intentions.”

I study his profile in the city lights flashing by through the windows. “And your intentions are what, exactly?”

He glances at me. “To break two of your surrogate brothers’ warnings,” he pauses, “and I won’t be hurting you.” I blush, praying the angels are in my corner tonight as I beg for the strength to not make stupid decisions.

“You’re planning on making me late? A little presumptuous—my phone’s on a timer to play a fake call, which will require my immediate attention at home.”

He laughs out loud. “I never know what you’re going to say.”

I shrink in my seat a little—I know I’m a bit quirky, some might say weird. But to have it pointed out to you on a date? His hand touches mine on my lap, snapping me out of my pity party monologue.

He glances at me without slowing the car. He frowns as his thumb runs across my knuckles. “It was meant as a compliment. Predictable, superficial, and fake are now the norm. You are honest, you surprise me, and you make me laugh. I have not done that in a long time. You have already given me a gift no one else can.” He pulls his attention back to the road and his hand back on the steering wheel. A muscle jumps in his jaw as I stare at him, at a loss for words.What am I supposed to do with that?

We head east, to an unfamiliar area of the city.

“Where are we going for dinner?” I ask, suspicious.

“It is a surprise, but we are going somewhere else first.”

My head snaps to face him. “I only agreed to dinner.”

He shakes his head. “Relax… you will enjoy it. Anyway, it’s a date.”

My thoughts filter through the conversation at the diner. “No, I only agreed to dinner.”

He chuckles. “Last night, you told me you would be back for our date. I assumed you meant it.”

I blush and fold my arms over my chest. “I cannot be held accountable for my actions last night.”

He slows down to take a small road to the right. We wind down a few streets, and finally, he turns onto a dirt track; the street lights disappear, and I only catch glimpses of trees where the car headlights shine like a torch. He pulls into a makeshift parking lot, lit by lanterns hanging from the trees that create a path to a small building. Jumping out, he rounds the car, opens the door, and offers me his hand, which I take.

Thick trees surround us in every direction. “This isn’t where we play hide and seek in the dark and one of us dies, right? It’s inventive, but I’d rather not have to chase you first. Kicking your ass would be so much easier if you’d take it like a man and stand still.”

He glances at my boots. “Hmm, I think I’ll pass. Your heels look a little dangerous for ass-kicking.” I laugh, relaxing a little.

A petite Asian woman greets us in the small building. “Good evening, Mr. Reinheart, Miss Waterford.” She hands Archan a key and ushers us to the other side of the building, looking a little flustered.You and me both, sister. “I hope you have a pleasant evening.” She leaves us, hurrying to the parking lot.

Exiting the building, my heels wobble a little on the pebbled path. Archan takes my hand, his warmth a pleasant contrast to the chilly air. My breath catches as I glimpse the unexpected magical wonderland spreading out before us. Trees decorated with hundreds of small orb-shaped lanterns surround a large pond, and pale yellow light dances over the various statues positioned around the water. Fairy lights hanging from the trees ignite as I pass them. The scene is reflected in the pond, and lilies in various shades, from white to pink, float on the water, creating a delicate perfume that surrounds us. I glance at Archan, who is silently studying me.

“Why are they open at night?”

He follows my gaze. “There are two types of lilies—night bloomers and day bloomers.” He tugs me toward the bridge. Like a child at Disneyland, I’m trying to look everywhere at once. He pauses on the bridge. Letting go of his hand, I lean over the wooden rail and spy a school of foot-long orange and yellow fish, visible in the lighting under the bridge. Watching the rhythmic sway of their bodies, a constant dance, I sigh. Warmth engulfs my back, and two strong hands grip the handrail, trapping me. We aren’t touching, but every nerve starts buzzing around my body, making me restless. He peers over my shoulder.

“Why the sigh?” he whispers, as if a hundred people surround us when, in fact, we’re alone. I gaze at the fish, letting their hypnotic dance soothe me.

“They look peaceful, relaxed… lazy, even. Their bodies move next to each other, never restless, enjoying the calm created by their closeness. While part of our world, they truly thrive in a world of their own.” I place my chin on my hands, and he groans, as it pushes my ass into his body. Blushing, I straighten up, adding another mental slap for the evening. He chuckles but doesn’t move.

“Do you think they are happy?” he asks.

“Why wouldn’t they be? Here in this paradise, they have no predators. They have a family with no complications, no worries about being hurt.”

“Is that what you do? Protect yourself by living in your own world?” he muses.

---