CHAPTER SIXTEEN

 

Butterflies swirl in my stomach as I wait for Beau to pick me up. I’d decided to dress in black, metallic leggings, which look like they’ve been painted to my skin, paired with a black, long-sleeved top that has a half-open back. My red blazer with gold buckles completes the outfit. It matches my red stilettos with gold beads around the ankle strap.

I’ve left my hair down for once, letting the natural wave give it volume and character. I look hot, even if I do say so myself.

My makeup, as always, has been left simple. It’s something I’ll never get used to. I hate the feel of it on my face. A little concealer, blush and lipstick, and I’m ready. 

He texted me a little while ago to say he was going to shower and change round his, then meet me at mine.

I’m not going to lie, I’ve been a nervous wreck all day. I want tonight to be special. Life is too short to sit around and wait for things to happen, and I’ve waited long enough. I want Beau, more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life.

“Do you think this will seduce him?” I ask Buster and Roxy, doing a twirl. Sat side by side, they both bark and stare up at me. “Yeah, I hope so too.”

I’m not nervous about the act itself; my heart is made up on the matter. Speaking with Maggie about Beau today just made me realise we were waiting for nothing. I already know how I feel, and I’m ready. No more waiting around.

But the thought of rejection and him not being ready plagues my mind. I want this with him, badly. He drives me wild with every touch, every kiss and caress. He lights something inside me that burns brighter every time we’re together.

I’m also worried I won’t be good enough for him. If he doesn’t enjoy it and then decides to break up with me, I’ll be devastated. More than that, I’ll be broken-hearted.

I nearly jump out of my skin when there’s a knock on the door.

“Oh, my God, he’s here,” I whisper yell, looking around the room frantically. My gaze continues to dart around until another knock raps at the door, and I wonder what the hell I’m searching for.

I shake my head with a nervous laugh and head towards the door. I practically skipping I’m that giddy.

I greet Beau with a bright smile. “Hey.”

In a pair of dark jeans, and blue shirt, Beau looks picture perfect. His tattoos creep out his short sleeves, giving him a badass vibe. He looks hot. So hot, in fact, I’m wondering if we should forgo dinner and go straight to dessert.

“Faith,” Beau says, amusement in his voice.

I shake out of my ogling, and my gaze reaches his eyes. “Sorry, did you say something?”

He laughs, pulling me against him. “You look sexy as hell.”

My cheeks heat as I wrap my arms around his neck. “Thank you, you don’t look so bad yourself.”

His eyes twinkle as his head descends. “Yeah?”

A giggle escapes as I move in closer. “Definitely.”

His lips meet mine softly. I’m getting lost in the kiss when he pulls away, smiling at me. “I have a surprise for you.”

“What’s the surprise?”

He raises his eyebrow. “Um, you do know the meaning of a surprise, right?”

I giggle, leaning my head back. “Of course, I do. Am I wearing the appropriate clothes?”

His gaze runs down my body, slowly, appraisingly, making me tingle all over. “Oh, yeah.”

I smack his chest with a laugh when he grabs my arse. “Be serious. I thought we were going for dinner and a movie.”

He throws his hands up in front of him, still giving me that sexy as hell grin. “Okay, okay. You need to pack an overnight bag and grab a coat.”

Now my interest is more than piqued, it’s intrigued. With a giddy squeal, I wrap my arms around his neck and peck him on the lips.

“Wait, what about the dogs? I can’t leave them here alone.”

“Already sorted. Aiden is coming over to watch them.”

“You are the best.”

I run to my bedroom, my smile hurting my cheeks. I never expected a night away, but with what I have planned, the timing couldn’t be more perfect.

 

*** *** ***

 

Half an hour later we’re driving uphill, on a spiralling road. We’re near the beach; I can smell the salt in the air. It’s beautiful, refreshing.

“We’re staying here?” I ask in awe when we pull up to a hotel.

It’s huge, the white building standing out in the dark of night. People are milling around, laughing and enjoying themselves.

I turn back to Beau in astonishment. “You did this, for me?”

He tucks my hair behind my ear, gazing into my eyes. “I’d do anything for you. You deserve to be spoilt, to be cherished, Faith. I feel like a dick for not taking you out sooner.”

“We’ve gone on dates before,” I remind him, taking his hand in mine.

He shakes his head at me. “No, not like this. Even though I knew you were special, we were just friends. This is different. Tonight, I want to show you how much you mean to me.”

“As much as I love that you’ve done this, you didn’t need to do any of it to show me how much you care. I feel it and see it every time we’re together, Beau. You show me every time you run me a bath, watch One Tree Hill with me, and cook me dinner. I see it in the way you look at me.”

“And how do I look at you?” he asks, his voice hoarse.

I lean forwards, my lips a breath away from his. “Like you can’t breathe without me. Like I’m the only girl in the world.”

“That, Faith Carter, is because you are the only girl in the world for me. You are the air I breathe, the reason I feel alive each morning.”

I love you is on the tip of my tongue once again, but before the words can reach my lips, Beau’s door is opening.

“Sir, can we get your bags?”

Beau startles away from me, eyeing the porter with confusion. “Um, yeah.” He turns the engine off, steps out of the car and hands the keys to the porter. A steward walks over, and they exchange a few words before he heads back into the building.

Beau walks around to my door and opens it, before taking my hand. “Come, this is only the first surprise.”

I grin, my thoughts of killing the porter for ruining our moment gone, and take his hand. “Well, who am I to hold us up.”

He laughs, pulling me into his arms as soon as I step out of the car. “God, you’re amazing.”

I tilt my head to the side. “I know, right?”

He chuckles once more, before leaning down and kissing me, stealing my breath away with the intensity of it. The feel of his fingers running through my hair and his body pressed against mine is all I can take.

I want him.

Now.

“Sir, we have your table ready for you.”

And I’m thinking of murdering the porter again.

I try not to pout, I do, but when Beau releases me from his kiss, it’s all I can do to stop myself from stomping my feet and demanding Beau take me right here, right now.

The porter takes our bags around the side of the building, following a stoned path, while the steward leads us down another leading to the shore.

The breeze from the sea blows my hair around my face, and I soak in the salt air. Being near the sea is the best feeling ever. It makes you feel refreshed, free.

When we reach the bottom, tables, under parasol heaters, line the beach. I gasp at the beauty. The flames of candles flicker on each table, and outside lights brighten the surrounding area. Couples, families and friends are busy eating, but the atmosphere is still romantic. The most romantic sight I’ve ever seen.

“Beau.” I turn to him and take his hands in mine. I fight the urge to cry, even though I so desperately want to. This is incredible. “This is perfect. I can’t believe you planned all this.”

He grins as he pulls me against him and kisses me quickly. “Like I said, I’d do anything for you, baby.”

My cheeks feel like they’re going to crack I’m smiling that wide. “I love it. Thank you so much for doing all of this.”

He gives me his usual ‘I think you’re adorable’ look, causing me to melt against him. “Let’s go eat. According to Travel Rate, this place cooks the best steak ever.”

“I love steak.” He pulls me down the platform built on the sand, to our table, where he pulls out a chair for me.

My knees buckle at the gesture, never having had another person do this for me. Ever.

I sit down, giving him a small smile as I hold myself back from clapping and giggling in my seat. I’m so overwhelmed by everything, including Beau. He’s so darn perfect. Well, not completely perfect; he does snore. I can look past that though. 

“Can I get you some drinks?”

Beau looks to me, his eyes heated as he gazes at me across the candlelit table. “Red wine?”

I sag into my seat. “Sounds perfect.”

“Your best red wine, please,” Beau tells the waiter, and he walks off to get our drinks.

“How did you find this place?”

He cheeks flush and I almost laugh. “I called my mum. I explained I didn’t feel like a meal and a movie was enough. She told me about a few places my dad had taken her to. When I looked up this one, it seemed perfect. I remembered you telling me about your love for the beach.”

Aww, he’s so cute when he’s embarrassed.

“Beau, this is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me, but you need to know, movies and takeout? Best part of our time together. I’d have loved to do anything with you. But I’m glad you changed our plans. This place… I’ll never forget our time here,” I tell him, with more meaning than he knows. He has no idea what I have planned for later, or about the sexy lingerie I’ve packed. I couldn’t wear it with this outfit, so I had planned to change into it when we got home. But now we are staying here… I’m glad I bought it to begin with.

I already knew tonight would be perfect, no matter where we were or what we did. Although, being here with him will not only make this night one I’ll never forget, but a dream come true.

When I’d given up on finding Prince Charming, I really did stop searching. I’d had no hope of finding the love I’d read about in fairy tales, or the love my parents share. But the minute I met Beau, hope had blossomed. Now, it’s spread through me and I’m living the dream. 

“I’m glad. And I love our time together too. I have another surprise for you… Well, you and your family.”

“You do?” I’m stunned. Him bringing me here was surprise enough. If he does anything else, I might have an emotional breakdown. He makes me so happy.

He grins. “I do. Me and my new partner helped a guy’s daughter with something. He offered us VIP tickets to Party in the Park for you and your family this Saturday. There’s enough tickets for all of you, I made sure.”

“Oh, my God, are you serious?” I squeal. We’d tried to get Hayden tickets for her birthday, but they had sold out.

Even Liam and Landon would love this. I can’t wait to tell them.

“Yes.” He laughs at my antics.

“This is amazing. I can’t wait to tell the others. They are going to love this.”

He laughs. “I did hear Hayden moaning to your sister about not being able to get tickets. I think a boy she likes was going or something.”

I laugh. “Yeah, someone she met at work. We can tell her tomorrow at the dinner. Thank you, Beau, so much.”

“It’s my pleasure. We’re not meant to take anything from people we see, but I couldn’t say no.”

“Beau, you are the most thoughtful person I’ve ever met. They’re all going to love this. Seriously.”

“Don’t go spreading that around, you’ll ruin my reputation.”

I laugh and grab his hand across the table. “I promise, but I can’t promise not to gush to my mum and sister about all of this. Really, thank you.”

“You keep saying that, but you don’t need to say thank you.”

The waiter walks over with our wine in a cooler and pours us both a glass. “Are you ready to order?”

Shit, we haven’t even looked at the menu.

“You ready?” Beau asks me. “I’m thinking of the steak.”

I lick my lips, it does sound good. I put my menu down and turn to the waiter. “We’ll have two steaks.”

The waiter smiles. “Good choice. We won’t be long with your food.”

“Thank you,” Beau and I say in unison.

When he’s gone, I watch as a steak is brought to the next table over, then turn to Beau. “My mouth is watering now.”

He looks over to the food and chuckles. “Yeah. My belly is protesting that I feed it.”

I giggle. “How was your day?”

“Long. I didn’t think I’d get off in time, but Collings knew about my plans and offered to do the paperwork.”

“Remind me to send him some chocolate.”

“Don’t, his wife is on his back to eat healthier,” he chuckles.

“I bet he’s hating that.”

He nods. “Sneaks his Snickers’ and Mars Bar’s into his locker at work.” I laugh at his serious expression. “What about you, how was Maggie’s?”

“Surprisingly, really good. I see her becoming a part of our family. She’s a really lovely woman. Her house needs a lot of work, but with Aiden rounding up my family, it won’t be long till it’s good as new.”

“And the kittens?”

“Cute.” My face lights up. “And guess what?”

“What?”

“She’s going to keep them.”

“That’s great. I was going to call Aiden earlier, but didn’t have time. I’m sure Collings will do it.”

“What do you mean?” I ask. I didn’t even know they were calling buddies. Colour me shocked.

“Yeah, I didn’t expect your brother to call me either,” he tells me, reading my thoughts. “But he wanted something done about this guy who ripped Maggie off. After he convinced her to make a statement, we looked into it. We found the guy. He’ll be going before court in a month or so.”

“That is brilliant. I’m glad she decided to do something. She said earlier she was unsure whether making a statement was worth it or not. She’ll be thrilled you found him.”

“Yeah, me too. I was worried your brother was going to take things into his own hands. He said he had Liam on it. But I didn’t know Liam was into computers.”

I laugh at hearing Liam’s name. Not my cousin, but my uncles’ friend from school. He’s amazing with a computer and made a name for himself designing video games.

“He’s not on about my cousin Liam. Liam is my uncles’ friend from school. They all go to him when they want something done on the computer. He’s a genius.”

Understanding spreads across his face. “Ah, now it makes sense. He talked him up, but the Liam I met, although he can give off one serious glare, didn’t seem the type to sit still long enough to check his Facebook.”

Laughing, I nod in agreement. “Very true. My aunt Lake would threaten to tie him to a chair if he didn’t do his homework when he was younger. Used to drive her up the wall when he wouldn’t sit still.”

I take a sip of my wine, the taste sweet, like nothing I’ve ever drank.

“Good?” Beau asks.

“Impeccable,” I answer honestly, taking another sip.

“Let’s make a toast,” he says suddenly, holding his glass up.

I follow. “What are we toasting to?”

“How about to us? To finding us?”

I melt at his words. He couldn’t have said anything better. “To us,” I say, clinking my glass with his. My gaze burns into his, my heart falling harder and harder for the man in front of me.