Her mouth dropped in disappointment. “But I thought it was amazing,” she said softly.
“Nope, only pretty good,” Shade said, lifting his body off hers then lifting her until she lay propped up on the pillows against the headboard of his bed. “We’ve only been married a few weeks and we start our honeymoon tomorrow, so the best is yet to come. If it’s already amazing, what have we got to look forward to?”
Lily giggled. “In that case, it was just okay.”
“That’s my angel. Now, for your reward.” He reached over to the nightstand, picking up the chocolate mousse. He placed a small amount onto the spoon then lifted it to her lips. Lily obediently opened her mouth, her eyes widening.
“That’s the mousse we had at King’s the other night.”
#p#分页标题#e#
“Yes.” Shade took a spoonful for himself then scooped another spoonful for her, lifting it to her mouth again.
“That was nice of King to give it to us.” Lily opened her mouth, sliding the rich mousse from the spoon.
He moved the spoon away. Lowering his head, he licked the tiny spot of chocolate which had been left behind.
“I thought it was a perfect way to apologize for his making an ass of himself today,” Shade stated, taking another spoonful for himself.
“I’ll have to call and thank him,” Lily said as Shade fed her another spoonful.
“You do that. Tell him I enjoyed it, too.”
Chapter 73
Shade frowned as he came out of the kitchen. He was going to paddle her ass when he found her. She had caught him busy in the kitchen and used the opportunity to go outside.
Going to the bedroom, he jerked the blanket off the bed then put on his jacket and boots before going out. He stood briefly on the porch, just long enough to see her standing on the first rise almost half a mile away. His mouth tightened in anger. His woman was constantly putting herself in danger.
He walked off the porch, moving as quickly as he could through the snow. He had warned her several times about how dangerous it could be outside; not only from the cold environment, but from deadly predators. One of which was stalking her now.
She didn’t even jump when he placed the blanket around her shoulders.
Lily stood on the snow bank, shivering despite being dressed warmly. She kept sneaking out to look at the mountains. Shade shook his head at her, knowing it was a lost cause. She would never change; she would always be Lily, so sweet it made him ache.
Her hand had been out when he had come up behind her. She had confessed shyly the night before when he had caught her doing the same thing that it was like holding the Northern Lights in the palm of her hand.
“What did I tell you about sneaking out of the cabin, Lily? I’m going to punish you when I get you back inside,” he whispered into her ear.
“I couldn’t resist, Shade. Isn’t it beautiful?” Lily whispered reverently. “I didn’t know anything so beautiful could exist.”
“I didn’t, either,” he said, rubbing his cheek against hers. His tone was just as reverent, but he wasn’t watching the sky; he was staring down into her face.
“All these years, I’ve waited to see this. It’s more spectacular than I ever believed possible.”
He swept her into his arms, packing her back inside the warm cabin, shutting and locking the world outside.
Shade had hot chocolate on the table in front of the couch and a warm fire blazing a few feet away. He heard her sip her chocolate as he threw a log onto the fire.
He stood up, going into the bedroom then coming out with a small package, handing it to her.
Lily opened the tiny package. Inside was the exact replica of the flower Gaige had destroyed at the fair so many months before. He had saved it to give her at the right time. Wanting it to be special, he had chosen their honeymoon.
“Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“Thank you, Shade. I love it.” She reached up, kissing his cheek.
“I’m going to go take a shower. Can I trust you not to sneak out again?”
“Yes.” She curled her legs under her, sipping her hot chocolate.
She was still sitting and staring into the flames when he came back wearing only a pair of sweatpants.
He sat down next to her on the sofa, his arm on the back of the couch. “What are you looking so serious about?”#p#分页标题#e#
Lily shrugged, avoiding his question.
“Lily?” He bore his gaze into her, demanding an answer.
“Nothing, really. I was just thinking.” She looked up at him.
He cupped her cheek, his thumb wiping away the lone tear clinging to her lashes. “About what?”
“It’s just that I waited such a long time to see the Northern Lights … It would have been disappointing if they hadn’t been as beautiful as I thought they would.”