Rescue Me(87)

Tonya has also come around a few times now that she is out of protective custody. It’s funny how life is, sometimes. Who would have thought she and I would become friends? I know she still cares deeply for Adam, she’s told me so, but she knows somewhere out there is the one man waiting for her. Just like with everyone else, I have faith that when he does find her, she will know the minute her heart skips a beat whenever he is around.

Tonight, though, is all about Adam and me as I prepare to go out with him for the first time since all of this has happened. I was told to dress warmly but comfortably for our date tonight, so I have on my favorite pair of jeans, the same ones I wore on our first official date, and a dark blue sweater with a deep vee in the front that shows off my cleavage and clings to my breasts. Tonight I am going for sexy. Even though Adam reminds me daily of his feelings on the subject, it has been such a long time since I have felt that way.

I stand in the mirror applying my makeup and roll my eyes at the thought of some of the words that come out of that man’s mouth. And then I smile as I smudge my eyeliner, giving my eyes that smoky look.

Putting on the finishing touches, I saunter into the bedroom only to stop dead in my tracks at the sight of Adam laying on our bed in a pair of dark jeans and a gray button up shirt with the cuffs rolled up.

“What are you doing?” I ask in a baffled tone.

“Waiting for the most beautiful woman in the world to hurry her ass up so I can take her out.”

He pushes himself up off the bed and makes his way toward me. He stops right in front of me and runs his hands down my stick-straight hair.

“I love your hair like this,” he murmurs, never taking his eyes off of mine. “You look absolutely stunning. You ready to go?”

He puts his arm around me and steers us toward the door.

“Yes, let me just grab my jacket. Where are we going, anyway?” I ask as I put it on and then grab my purse off the counter.

“You’ll see soon enough,” he winks and opens the door for me to step outside.

“Holy crap. It’s freezing out here.” I zip up my jacket and climb into the already heated truck.

“It’s getting closer to winter, babe. Winters are freezing here, but the snow is so white. Wait until you see the small icebergs that form on the lake.”

“I’m excited to see it all. I have never seen snow before,” I tell him enthusiastically as we drive down the road.

“Seriously? Oh, sweet cheeks, just you wait. The best part is the snow ball fights.”

I love listening to Adam talk about the snow. He sounds just like a little kid as we head to my unknown destination. He carries on and on about all the things he wants to do when winter comes. The drive doesn’t seem to last long and the minute we pull down the gravel road I know exactly where we’re heading.

“Really?” I squeal. “Isn’t the vineyard closed this time of year?”

“Yeah, it is. But I rented the place out just for us tonight.”

He stops the truck and puts it in park, looking my way with a hint of mischief in his eyes.

“If you think I am going to stomp grapes when it’s this freezing cold out tonight then you’re crazy. No fricking way, Adam Payne.” I shake my head earnestly.

“Come on. We’re not stomping grapes. Get your sexy ass out of the truck now before I throw you over my shoulder and carry you in there.”

He winks at me and climbs out. My mind is wandering all over the place as I step out of the truck as well. Adam comes around to my side and entwines our fingers as he takes hold of my hand. We start our walk towards the restaurant.

“Are you sure someone is here? It looks so dark,” I ask.

“We have to go around back,” Adam replies with a hint of teasing in his voice.

When we round the corner to the back of the building I feel my legs buckle at the sight before me. I have never seen anything like it in my entire life. There are white lights everywhere- all through the trees and all along the fence that leads to the vineyard itself. Everywhere I look, there are lights. And as soon as we step into the middle of the deck where we had our first official date, the lights somehow dim and we are left in a soft glow of pale light. I release my hand from Adam’s and bring it up to my mouth when I see a small table set for two.

“This is like a scene from a fairy tale. It’s exquisite.” I feel him place his hand on the small of my back and guide me toward the table.

“Not as exquisite as you are,” he says from behind me, pulling the chair out for me to sit. I think he is going to take the seat across from me but he doesn’t; he drops down on both of his knees right beside me and oh my God, the lights dim even more making it almost pitch black. Soft snowflakes start coming down around us. Neither of us says a word as I take it all in, and even though I know the snow is fake, it is still the most romantic and picturesque thing I have ever seen.