“Savannah,” I heard Josh say. “Wake up baby, we’re nearly there.” My eyes fluttered open and I squinted against the bright sun. Looking around, I saw that we were in the center of Austin. It was bustling, and people filled the sidewalks. I looked over to Josh and smiled.
“Sorry I fell asleep, I didn’t mean to.”
“It’s fine sweetheart, you’re allowed to sleep. After all, you are growing a little person in there,” he said, moving his hand from my knee and placing it on my stomach.
I smiled and placed my hand over his. “So, where are you taking me?” I asked, looking around. Going to school there, I knew Austin pretty well, and I was trying to figure out which hotels were nearby.
“I booked us a room at the Four Seasons,” he answered, and I squealed, bouncing up and down in my seat. Josh laughed at my response. “I take it you’re happy about that?”
I nodded. “I am! I’ve heard great things about the lakeside restaurant there,” I gushed.
“Good, because that’s where I made our reservation, but I’m still happy to do room service if you’d rather stay in. I’m sure we can find something to do in the room,” he said, wiggling his eyebrows at me.
“As good as that sounds, I want to try the restaurant. I’ll just have to find something to wear.”
“I’ll take you shopping baby, let’s check in first,” he said as we pulled up outside the hotel. He stopped the car in front of large glass doors that led into the lobby. Stepping out, he made his way around to my side and opened the door for me. I climbed out and waited while he retrieved the bags from the truck. Out of nowhere, a valet appeared, and Josh tossed him the keys. Walking over to me, he smiled. “Ready?” he asked, and I nodded as I took his hand as we walked through the glass doors into the impressive lobby.
A hotel porter took our luggage as I looked around in awe. Sofas and chairs were dotted around the large lobby area, and people were sitting throughout, drinking and chatting, their conversations vibrating around the vast room. A huge chandelier hung from the ceiling and bouquets of flowers adorned every surface. Along the back wall stood the check-in desks, and Josh steered me toward them, the porter following with our bags.
“Welcome to the Four Seasons sir, do you have a reservation?” the receptionist asked.
“I do. I called a couple of hours ago. It’s under the name Miller, Josh Miller.”
She nodded and began tapping away on the computer in front of her. “Ah, yes sir, you’ve booked a lake-view suite.” I gasped and she smiled. Josh turned to me, kissing me on the forehead. “I can see that you paid in full when you booked, so I’ll just get your key,” she said before disappearing into the back.
“Josh, you didn’t need to book us a suite—that must have cost you a fortune!” I exclaimed. “A normal room would have been fine.”
“No, it wouldn’t,” he replied, turning to face me. “This is our first date and I want it to be perfect. You’re never going to have another first date, so it has to be one you’ll always remember.”
“Have you always been this incredible?” I asked him, amazed that he was going to so much trouble.
“What can I say? I’ve had a long time to figure out what our first date would be. I’ll let you decide in a few years whether you still think I’m incredible,” he joked, bending down and brushing his lips against mine. Someone cleared their throat, and we looked up to see the receptionist smiling at us.
“Your key sir, room 401, on the fourth floor. The elevator is to your left. If there is anything you need, please let us know,” she said, still smiling.
“Thank you,” Josh responded, taking my hand and guiding me toward the elevator. I was beyond excited. The hotel was beautiful, and I couldn’t wait to see what the room was like. I squeezed Josh’s hand as we waited for the elevator to arrive. He looked down at me and smiled. “Happy?” he asked.
I nodded. “You have no idea how happy I am.”
“I think I do Sav, I think I do.” He bent his head and captured my lips with his, and I melted into him as he wound his arms around my waist, kissing me until I was breathless. My stomach fluttered as if there were a million butterflies in there, and my heart pounded in my chest. Pulling away, he rested his forehead on mine. “I still can’t believe I get to kiss you like that whenever I want.”
“Don’t ever stop,” I whispered. “Promise me you’ll always kiss me like that.”
“I promise,” he said, tugging me into the empty elevator and pressing me against the back wall. His eyes were hooded as he looked at me, and after a few seconds, he broke eye contact to reach across and hit the button for the fourth floor. The doors closed behind us and his lips crashed against mine, his kiss urgent and intense. I kissed him back, my hands resting on his hard chest. His heart was racing under my fingers and I grabbed his shirt, pulling him closer against me. Snaking my tongue into his mouth, I felt him moan against my lips. Suddenly the elevator chimed, signaling that the doors were about to open. Josh quickly stepped away from me and we stood side by side, both breathing erratically. If anyone was waiting to enter the elevator, they would know exactly what we had been doing by the state we were in. Thankfully, as the doors opened, we were faced with an empty hallway, and we both looked at each other and laughed.
“Come on, let’s find our room,” Josh said, winking at me. We walked hand in hand until we reached 401. He released my hand, and I stood behind him as I watched him enter the key card into the lock. The light flashed green and he pushed on the door, holding it open for me.
I walked past him into the room and gasped. Spinning around, I stared at him. “Did you arrange all of this?” I asked in amazement. He nodded and I turned back to look at the room, which was filled with orchids. “How did you…” I trailed off, lost for words at how much trouble he’d gone to. Shaking my head, I turned to face him. “How did you do it? You only booked the room a few hours ago.”
“I have my ways. Do you like them?” he asked, looking unsure.
“Josh, I love them. How did you know they are my favorite flowers?”
“I’ve known you my whole life Sav, I know what your favorite flower is.”
“How?” I exclaimed.
“The same way I know about your chili cheeseburger obsession—I pay attention baby.”
I smiled before throwing my arms around him. “Where have you been all my life?” I whispered into his neck, and he chuckled before moving back so he could see my face.
“I’ve been here sweetheart, I’ve always been here.” I brushed my lips against the stubble on his cheek before turning to look at the room. Even without the hundreds of beautiful flowers that covered every surface, it would have been incredible. The door from the hall opened into a large sitting room, where there was a sofa and chair positioned around a small glass coffee table. A TV was mounted on the wall across from the sofa, and there was a huge floor-to-ceiling window that looked out over Town Lake.
Rushing to the window, I gasped again. “Josh, this view is amazing,” I gushed, pushing my nose against the glass. The enormous lake was surrounded by lush green trees, and the river was dotted with boats. “Look, there are people on boats! Do you think we could go on a boat?” I asked him, bouncing up and down with excitement. I heard him laugh behind me and his arms slipped around my waist as he gently pulled me backward onto his hard chest.
“We can do whatever you want,” he said, kissing my neck. I turned in his arms, kissing him quickly on the lips.
“What’s through there?” I asked, gesturing to the double doors.
Chuckling, he released me from his arms. “Why don’t you take a look?” Walking over, I pushed on the doors, and they opened into the bedroom. A huge bed sat against the opposite wall, and sliding glass doors opened out onto a balcony. To the right there was a door to what I assumed was the bathroom, and I noticed more orchids in this room, the scent of them invading my senses. Walking through, I opened the bathroom door and squealed.
“It’s huge in here! There’s a massive walk-in shower, and a freestanding jacuzzi bath. I can’t wait to soak in there later!” I exclaimed, spinning around to see Josh standing in the doorway.
“Do you think you might need someone to wash your back?” he asked, a smirk on his face.
“Nah, I think I can manage,” I replied, giggling, and he grabbed me, tickling my waist. “Josh! Stop!” I laughed, squirming in his arms.
“Are you sure I can’t wash your back?” he asked, laughing as he watched me squirm. Squealing as he tickled me under my ribs, I tried to reach for him to tickle him back.
“Okay, okay, if you stop tickling me, I promise you can wash my back,” I said breathlessly, my words finally making him stop. Breathing heavily, I swatted him on his chest, and he laughed as he led me out of the bathroom.
“Let’s go find you something to wear to dinner,” he said, and I nodded, following him back into the bedroom.
“Thank you for making our first date so amazing Josh. I’m overwhelmed by everything.”
“It’s me who should be thanking you. You could so easily have ended up hating me with how I’ve behaved over the years. I know how lucky I am to finally have you, and I’m never going to forget it.”
I reached up, my hand coming to rest on his face. “I could never hate you.” I paused, knowing what I wanted to say but unsure about saying it on a first date, even if we had known each other forever.
“Say it, please,” he whispered, his eyes closed.
I smiled to myself, thinking he obviously knew me better than I knew myself. “Open your eyes Josh,” I said quietly, dropping my hand from his face. I waited until his eyes were open and fixed on me. “I could never hate you, because I love you. I’ve loved you since I was 15, and I will always love you, Josh Miller.”
“I love you too baby, more than you’ll ever know.” I’d waited so long to hear those words from him, I could barely breathe. I felt a tear slip down my cheek as I grinned up at him, and his fingers brushed my face, wiping it away. “I hope these are happy tears?” he asked with a frown.
“The happiest,” I told him, my hands reaching around his neck as I pulled his mouth to mine and kissed him, losing myself in him. He broke the kiss, dotting smaller kisses around my jaw and down my neck. I moaned as he kissed the side of my neck, heat building in the pit of my stomach. He kissed back up around my jaw, finding my lips again. Suddenly there was a knock on the door and Josh rested his forehead on mine. “Who’s that?” I whispered.
“It’s probably our bags,” Josh said, kissing me softly before heading for the door. I listened as he chatted with the bellboy before thanking him and closing the door. “Let’s go Sav,” he called from the other room.
“Why don’t we just stay here? We could try out that walk-in shower?” I suggested, poking my head around the double doors.
“Don’t worry, there will be plenty of time for that later. I want to take you out and treat you.” he said, grabbing my hand and pulling me toward the door.
“You don’t need to treat me Josh, you’ve spent enough!” I exclaimed, gesturing around at the room we were in.
“I’ve got years of spoiling you to make up for—let me, please?” I smiled and nodded, following him out into the hallway. “How do you feel about bats?” he asked cryptically.
“Bats?” I exclaimed as we walked down the long hallway. “As in the small black flying things?”
He nodded, grinning at me. “Yep, you got it.”
“I dunno,” I replied, wondering why the hell he was asking me about bats. “How do you want me to feel about bats? You don’t have some sort of weird bat fetish or something, do you?” I watched as he threw his head back and laughed.
“No Sav, no weird bat fetish, just checking that you weren’t terrified of them,” he said mysteriously as we waited for the elevator to arrive. “You’ll see later on.” I looked over at him, wondering what he could possibly have planned that involved bats. It really was a first date I’d never forget.