Beautiful Chances (The Beautiful Series) (29 page)

As he opened the limo door, Kyle gave me the sweetest, shyest smile that made my heart stop for a beat.

“Ready for your date, Miss Tidsdale?” His voice gave away a hint of nervousness.

“I am,” I said as I got into the limo, and he followed. I blinked, adjusting my eyes to the light inside the limo. “Are you nervous?” I shifted closer to get a better look at his face.

His lip raised on one side, making him look adorable. “Yes. I want this to be perfect and romantic for you. I hope you like it.”

A smile had formed across my face when the word
romantic
left his mouth. It was sexy to hear it from such a large, testosterone-filled man. My heart swelled as it pumped ferociously at this caring man before me. I was extremely grateful that he was mine.

I cupped his cheek. “Kyle, you have been very romantic and kind and sweet. I love that side of you. And I’m sure this evening will be perfect.” My voice was still full of emotion from his speech. I moved my fingers and kissed his cheek.

His mouth met mine for a passionate kiss before he pulled back and took out a handkerchief. I eyed him skeptically.

“This is for you.” A mischievous look glimmered in his eyes. “And no peeking!” Kyle’s eyebrow rose, implying that I was, indeed, someone who would peek.

“Are you suggesting that I’d cheat?” I pretended to be offended as I placed my hand over my heart.

“I lived with two women for eighteen years of my life, including Christmases and birthdays. I’ve learned that
all
women are impatient with surprises.” He smirked. “So, I came prepared.” He proceeded to tie the handkerchief around my head.

“True.” I sighed and gave a little pout. “Good point. I surrender.”

He laughed as his thumb brushed across my lower lip and gave a gentle tug. “No pouting.” He closed the gap between our mouths and kissed me. “It gives me dirty thoughts of what I want to do to you, and we have a date first.”

I could feel his breath on my skin as he spoke. I subconsciously leaned forward, wanting him to ravish my mouth.

Kyle chuckled again. “Oh no!” He pulled back. “Seeing you in that dress and now blindfolded is making me hard enough. If I kiss you now, we’ll never make it out of this limo. Up you go, beautiful.”

He took my hand in his firm grasp and guided me out of the limo carefully. We started walking, but then we stopped briefly as he spoke quietly to a few gentlemen. My heels clunked on what sounded like wood as I firmly held on to Kyle’s hand for balance.

We continued walking a short distance before we stopped again. A slight breeze cooled my bare arms, but it felt good after being in the sun all day. When I inhaled deeply, I could smell and hear the water. Catching me completely off-guard, Kyle swooped me up into his strong arms and kissed me gently on the cheek.

“Can’t have you falling, beautiful,” he breathed into my ear.

I could feel the smile on his face.

“Especially in those sexy black heels you have on. I have plans for those later that involve your legs being wrapped around my waist.”

I loved when he spoke to me in that low voice. It was sexy as hell.

He turned and spoke to someone as he carried me. “We’re ready.”

I heard someone respond, “Yes, sir.”

“Perfect timing,” Kyle murmured to himself as he set me on my feet, only to press me firmly against his chest as I was facing him.

The ground beneath my feet started to move, and I grasped Kyle’s waist to hold myself steady. My heart was pounding as I wondered what his next move would be.

Kyle’s hands came up to the handkerchief. Softly in my ear, he whispered, “I want to chase the sunset with you.” His voice was full of promise as his hands removed the blindfold.

I gasped as I took in the magnificent sight while the cool breeze brushed my loose hair strands off my face. We were sailing straight into the horizon. The nightfall had the most vivid shades of blues, yellows, and oranges illuminating the whole sky. The colors were reflected in the water below, intensifying the scenery. I instantly wished I had my camera to capture it. It was picture-perfect.

“It’s beautiful, Kyle,” I whispered, still trying to wrap my eyes around the full beauty of it all.

Tears threatened as my thoughts drifted toward Kyle and how much he had put into this date. I turned in his embrace, careful not to break his hold, and I stared straight into his eyes. The warmth and affection radiating from him at that moment mesmerized me, and I could not look away. It seemed as though he were trying to convey a deep message to me.

Before I lost my nerve, I softly said, “Thank you, Kyle. It is beyond beautiful. I don’t think words can describe it.”

He didn’t respond, but the look in his eyes said it all. He tipped my chin and caressed my cheek with his other hand while looking deep into my eyes. I felt as though he were reaching in and touching my soul. Nothing else mattered in this moment besides the man in front of me. I just wanted to freeze time and be here with him.

“Say something,” I said quietly, feeling too overwhelmed with emotions as my heart pounded hard in my chest.

“The first time I laid eyes on you, the sunset was just like this,” he said, his voice full and deep. His fingers ran back and forth along my cheek as he smiled lovingly at me. “I remember the way the light glowed across your face and the look in your eyes as you stared out at the ocean while lost in your thoughts. You were so beautiful. You stirred something deep inside me, drawing me in closer to you. In that moment, you forever changed me…and you look just like that right now.”

I drank him in, not wanting this moment to end. His words undid me, and a tear slipped down my cheek. My heart was overflowing with my feelings for him.

Kyle gently wiped away my tear with his thumb. “Don’t cry,” he pleaded softly.

Needing to be closer, I reached up with both hands and pulled his face to mine. I captured his lips delicately, and our tongues entwined as the waves crashed around us. I melted into him until I couldn’t tell where he ended and I began.

Pulling back all too quickly, he kissed my forehead and leaned his head against mine. “I’m never letting you go, Lily.” He softly kissed me once. “Come on, let’s go eat.”

When we turned, I took in the full view of the boat. It was all stained natural wood with stunning detail. Lights decorated each post and railing, giving the boat a shimmering glow and romantic setting. Wildflowers were placed in tall, narrow vases, evenly scattered around the boat. It was perfect, absolutely perfect.

As we walked around the side, a small table with a white tablecloth came into view. Two candles were placed in the center with fluted champagne glasses on each side. I pivoted to glance at Kyle. His eyes fixated on mine, measuring my reaction. Blinking back new tears, I raised his hand to my lips and gave it a gentle kiss.

“Thank you,” I breathed. “It’s sensational.”

His smile made my insides liquefy, and I realized he’d been waiting for that moment, needing my approval.

“You are most welcome.”

After we ate our salads, our waiter brought out dinner.

I wrapped the long fettuccine noodle soaked in the creamy white sauce around my fork and lifted it to my mouth. “Oh my god…this is delicious.” I twirled another noodle around my dinner fork.

Kyle grinned up at me after taking his bite. “I thought you would appreciate a good chicken Alfredo.”

“Good? No…this is to die for. The chef is amazing. Think he’ll give me this recipe?” I asked, my tone hopeful. I continued to ravage my plate.

“I love watching you eat,” Kyle purred. “I think you love food as much as I do.”

I chuckled. “I doubt that.”

The waiter came to refill our drinks, and then he quickly made himself scarce.

“As for the recipe, it came from my mother, and I asked the chef to make it. But the recipe has a secret touch to it.”

“Oh, and what’s that?” I asked curiously.

“It’s a guarded secret. You have to come closer,” he answered seductively and added a wicked smile. Kyle leaned forward, placing his elbows on the small round table, and brought his lips to my ear. “It’s all in the sauce. You have to simmer it just right.”

“You’ll have to teach me sometime then.” My voice was breathy just from him being so close.

“Definitely.” He leaned back in his chair and grinned. “Although, all cooking lessons in my kitchen require you to be naked.” His eyes darkened as if he were mentally undressing me.

“And what about you?” I raised my glass to my lips while I returned the favor of undressing him in my mind. I was enjoying our little flirting.

He raised his eyebrows. “How do you want me?”

A slow smile spread across my lips at all the ways I wanted Kyle.
Oh yes, there’s a list, a very long list.
“Any way I can get you.”

Kyle unleashed one of his lethal smiles. “That can be arranged.”

The waiter appeared with an enormous slice of cheesecake with strawberries on the side. I wanted to cry on the spot. It looked mouthwatering. The waiter quickly cleared the table and disappeared into the background. I licked my lips in anticipation and picked up my fork. Kyle quickly snatched the plate from the table and smirked.

“Hey!” I yelled.

He sliced a piece with his fork, leaned in closer, and fed me the first bite. “I get to feed that gorgeous mouth.”

I moaned uncontrollably as the flavors melted on my tongue. Cheesecake was my favorite, and this one belonged in a whole separate category. “God…that’s good.” I opened my mouth as he fed me another bite.

“I know. Now, this is one of the chef’s specialties. From time to time, I order these from him for any excuse I can find.”

He took turns feeding us. The simplicity of the action was intimate.

“Is this your boat?” I glanced around, taking it all in.

“No, I rented it out, so to speak, from a friend.”

“Oh, that’s a very nice friend.” I looked around again at the surrounding scenery. “Do you like boating?”

“Sure. I haven’t been out on many this size though. When I was younger, my dad would take my brother and me on a small boat out on the lake. We would swim and ride Jet Skis. We did that sort of stuff a lot.”

Tony Bennett’s “If You Were Mine” began to play softly from the speakers.

Kyle rose to his feet and held out his hand. “Dance with me?”

I smiled up at him, remembering the way he could move that broad body of his. “Of course.”

Pulling me toward him, he wrapped his strong arms around me. I leaned into his warmth, resting my cheek on his solid chest. He slowly led us around the deck as he magically swayed us to the beat. It was an amazing feeling to be in this man’s arms. As he held me, I felt secure, wanted, and loved. I closed my eyes as I relished in feeling him all around me.

As the song ended, I looked up at Kyle. Both of us had so many emotions pumping through us. It had been a truly spectacular day followed by an even more perfect evening. Right now, I wanted nothing more than to feel Kyle’s hands on me as he made love to me. Then, I wanted to snuggle up with his warm body embracing me close before I fell asleep.

“Take me to bed,” I said softly.

He didn’t need any more of an explanation than that.

I looked around the bedroom on the boat in awe. It was a breathtaking sight. Not only did the room have many wildflower arrangements, but it also had a few candles illuminating the room. It was, once again, perfect. I wanted to remember it forever.

A large king bed crafted of thick oak with wrought iron flower designs dominated the room. It was centered in the middle with double French doors to the left that had white linen curtains draping down to the floor. One door was slightly open, letting in a cool breeze that was lightly blowing the drapes. On the right, a large electric fireplace gave off a small soft glow. A few white flower petals were spread across the cream-colored sheets. It was something straight out of a romance novel, and it was very romantic indeed.

“Was this a good job at hearts and flowers?” Kyle asked as he stood right behind me.

He pulled me into his arms, and I turned to face him.

“Oh, yes.” I hugged him closely. “Thank you for today, Kyle. It was absolutely perfect.” I beamed.