“You’re just going to feel me up while I can’t see you.” I laugh at him.
“Me? Never,” he says in mock offence. “Now close your eyes.”
I huff but do as I was told and close them. I hear him unlock the door before he helps me inside, pinching my ass through my coat. “Hey!” I scold, and he chuckles. Then he shuts the door behind us before leading me a little farther into the house.
He stops, wrapping his arms around my waist from behind and whispers into my ear, “Open them.”
I don’t wait a second longer, my eyelids flying open. The entire living room is covered in red roses. Some are in vases on the tables while petals are sprinkled across the floor, and a crackling wood fire burns in his rock fireplace. It takes me a second to find my words because no one has ever done anything this romantic for me in my entire life.
“It’s beautiful, Jami,” I choke out, not wanting to cry. I’m not a crier.
We took our time eating dinner. Jami spoiled me by cooking my favorite food—pasta from scratch. Everything from the sauce to the noodles, he made himself, just for me. He thought of everything, and although some would think the night was low key, I think it’s perfect. There is no pressure here for me, and I love it.
We’re sitting on the large couch in front of the fire, listening to music. It’s mostly a mix of slow country, and I don’t miss the way his eyes keep settling on the tops of my thighs. I’m wearing the dress just for him, and it’s obvious that he approves.
When the track changes on his sound system, a cocky grin breaks out over his handsome face.
“What?” I ask, confused as the song starts to play.
“Dance with me,” he says, pulling me up to stand.
“Here?” I look around. “Right now?”
“Why not?” He brings me up against his chest, and I give in, wrapping my arms around his neck.
It’s not until he starts to sing along to the lyrics that I toss my head back in laughter. “You planned this, didn’t you?” I raise my eyebrows at him with a smile.
“Of course I did.” He winks. “No one’s this smooth by accident.” He kisses me softly before continuing to sing the lyrics to Chris Young’s “You’re Gonna Love Me.”
If you like a man who you can put your trust in
You don't have to worry where he's been
Then rest easy
Girl, you're gonna love me
I laugh again as he sings the last line. It’s the same line he’s been using on me since New Year’s Eve.
And if you like to slow dance to ol' Keith Whitley
Long Sunday drives out in the country
I'm your cup of tea
Girl, you're gonna love me
Come and rest your head against my chest
'Cause I'm the one for you
You don't have to look no more
Your search is through
So girl if you like a handful of fresh wild flowers
A back rub on a bad day talkin' for hours
I'm good company
Girl you're gonna love me
Come and rest your head against my chest
'Cause I'm the one for you
You don't have to look no more
Your search is through
So girl if you like a big heart that's in this for the long haul
Till we're rockin' on the front porch and they're callin' me papaw
Till the last breath you breathe
Girl, you're gonna l ove me
Just try it and see
The whole thing is incredibly cheesy, but I find myself loving every second of it. And as the song starts to wind down, he dips me low, pressing a kiss to my lips before whispering the last line…
“Girl, you're gonna love me”
“YOU’RE BEAUTIFUL,” JAMI whispers, tracing his fingers lightly over my bare back.
I blush, turning my head back towards the heat of his spectacular fireplace. At the moment, we’re lying in a heap of scattered clothing on the rug in front of it, me on my stomach, Jami on his side behind me, drawing circles on my back..
I have to say that I’m not normally one to get wooed or smitten all that easily, but with Jami, it was inevitable. When he isn’t singing cheesy country songs and dancing with me in the living room, he’s cooking me dinner or making me scream his name. I love every one of the moments we’ve created together over the past month, but I still have this nagging feeling. This nervous current that seems to run underneath the surface every time we are together. He still doesn’t know why I am hesitant. Why I am so guarded. Why I am so scared. And it’s time I tell him. He said that he wants real with me, and at the very least, I can show him who that person is.
It takes me a few minutes to work up the nerve to speak. Even when I do, I keep my face turned away, looking at the fire.
“Do you remember our first night together?” I ask him softly.