An Unlikely Deal(64)

He gives me a lopsided grin, boyishly beautiful in its openness. Pulling me even closer, he kisses the top of my head.

We stroll over to the lake and pick a spot under a spreading oak. I help him lay out the blanket and take a quick peek into the basket and cooler. I assumed they would mostly contain breakfast stuff, but no. There's a bottle of wine, thinly sliced roast beef, a few pieces of fried chicken, cheese, bread, some Caesar salad, cut fruit …  

"You were planning on a picnic all along," I say, pulling out the items and laying them on the blanket.

"Yes. I didn't have you with me last night, so I was determined to have you with me today."

Quietly, we eat. To be more precise, we feed each other. Every time he takes a bite from my hand, he licks my fingertips, making my muscles clench. I do the same to him and enjoy the way his nostrils flare.

I sip the excellent California rosé and run my tongue along my lips.

"Keep doing that and we may not finish eating."

"You're still hungry?" He's already polished off most of the beef and half the chicken.

His gaze drops to my wine-moist lips. "I'm always hungry around you."

"Then let's clean up."

I start putting stuff away. He helps too until the only things left are the bottle of wine and our glasses.

I pat the blanket. "Lie down."

His eyebrow arched, he does.

I take his arm and stretch it out, then lay my head on the bicep. It makes a very comfortable pillow as I snuggle next to him. "You know what I realized?"

"What?"

"That we didn't take any photos when we were together. I mean, of us. As a couple."

An odd look crosses his face. "No, we didn't."

"This time we should." I take out my phone and position it over us. "We should capture every happy moment together so we never forget what we have."

The reflective screen shows us lying on the blanket, my face relaxed and his tight. I lower the phone. "You don't want to?"

He shakes his head. "No. I'm just … " He turns his head toward me. "Nobody's ever wanted to do that with me."

"Maybe they weren't very good at preserving memories."

"Honestly, I never wanted to, either," he says, kissing me softly on the mouth. "I never had a reason."

Oh, Lucas. "But now?" I ask lightly.

"Now I do." He grins and takes my phone and positions it above us himself. "Smile."

I do.

The shutter clicks.

He isn't finished. He takes many, many more, all of them featuring us smiling, kissing, laughing.

Happy.

The sun starts to dip lower, and the wind is definitely getting a slight bite to it. I move closer to him. "I don't want to leave." I would give anything to preserve this moment in time.

"Neither do I."

Two beats. "But we probably should." As much as I'd love to, we can't stay here forever, especially with the temperature dropping.

"We're not going anywhere. I kidnapped you, remember?"

"Yes, I do. But I forgot to warn you that I'm a pretty high-maintenance hostage. I need a bed and a hot shower-at least-from my kidnapper."

He shakes his head. "A total princess. Lucky for you, I'm a kidnapper with high standards." Standing up, he extends a hand. "Ready to be wowed by your accommodations?"

I grasp it. "Yes."





Chapter Twenty-Seven



Ava

The place he finds turns out to be a rustic B&B not too far from the lake. It has five guest suites and is run by a ruddy-faced woman with a big apron around her that reads Sweet Lakes Bed 'n' Breakfast.

She welcomes us when we walk in and introduces herself-Doris Penn. Do we have a reservation? No? But aren't we lucky since she just happened to have a cancellation. But we have to check out by Monday if that's all right. Other guests are coming in.

Lucas hands her his plastic, and she shows us to a room with a view of the woods. The place is nowhere near as fancy as the suite he stayed in in Osaka, but country charm more than makes up for the lack of glitzy opulence.




 

 

Clean, soft sheets cover the king-size bed, and an armchair and love seat occupy the living room along with a small table. The TV is large and new, and the bathroom is well-stocked with basic toiletries including toothbrushes and toothpaste. It also comes with a tub big enough for two adults.

"It's lovely," I say to Doris.

She beams. "This is the best one we have. Just renovated, too. Hope you enjoy your stay."

"We sure will," I say.

She hands us the key to the room and leaves. I look at the actual metal key and smile at Lucas. "This is very good, Mr. Kidnapper."

"I agree. Sometimes I'm so awesome I impress even myself."