With a groan, he leads her back to the table where they sit and indulge themselves in Chef Poireir’s delectable feast. All talk about their dead brothers disappears as she grills him on everything Duke related.
“So, Timothy,” she says, “is that Duke’s original owner?”
He doesn’t want to talk about Duke, but is willing to let the conversation head in that direction.
“Yeah, you should’ve seen him when I showed up.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, he showed me all these tiny dogs. Yippy things I’d never be caught dead with.”
“But you’ve never had a dog?”
“True, but I had you.”
“No, you didn’t.”
“I had the image of you and Ranger. I was on the hunt, and there was no way in hell I was going to stalk you with an ankle biter.”
“Did you really go to a shelter to get a dog?”
“My rock star image is going to take a beating if you continue down that line of questioning.” He takes a strawberry, dips it in molten chocolate, and offers it to the plump lips he wants to devour. Holly wraps her mouth around the strawberry and he holds back a groan.
She laughs. “Okay, sorry about that.”
“Hey, I know how it looks.”
“But Duke? He’s kind of a handful.” She’s inquisitive and perceptive.
“When he told me Duke’s story…how Duke was his dog and probably wouldn’t make it out of there alive, I don’t know, but it gutted me. I couldn’t leave knowing I left that dog to die. I had to have Duke.”
“You know that’s what I love about you.”
“You love me?”
“Don’t get excited, rock star. I barely know you. I love what you did for that kid. And tonight…you have no idea what it means for him to dog-sit his puppy.”
Except he does. Timothy is sitting in the penthouse with his dog, and Ranger, living the high life. Most likely, the kid is watching porn. All the while, he knows his puppy is happy and loved. A plan is brewing in Bash’s mind. He’s grown too attached to Duke to deny him anything. They finish the chocolate fondue and he stares into the empty pot.
“Are you ready for what comes next?” He asks.
“There’s more?”
“My brother is running this show.” Carter would think tonight an epic collision of fate and destiny. The smile on her face makes his heart swell, but it’s true. Carter is running this show.
“Tell me, have you ever ridden a horse?” He asks.
“Excuse me?”
“Trail riding? Have you ever ridden a horse?”
“Um, no. Poor Irish girl here. Please tell me you don’t expect me to get on a horse?”
“I do. In fact, it’s required.”
“You’re kidding?”
“Sadly no, but I have to tell you, it’s going to be spectacular.”
“I’d say no, but I’m curious.”
“That’s all I need to hear.” He raises his hand and snaps his fingers.
In the blink of an eye, servers clear the table. He helps Holly up and leads her into the darkness beyond the glow of the courtyard. They approach the stables and he ushers her inside. He wishes it would be just the two of them, but he’s not a horse guy and Holly has never ridden before. Two handlers wait for them, along with four horses. Holly is unsure, but their guides give a brief lesson in horsemanship. These are trail horses used to the trails and incredibly docile. Traveling them in the dark isn’t going to be a problem. Nevertheless, he’s nervous putting Holly in the saddle alone. His guides told him not to worry. One will lead the way. The other will take up the rear. This allows him to be in front of her, giving them the illusion of being alone on the trail, while being bracketed by those better skilled than him.
An animal lover, Holly asks all the right questions. She’s entranced by Spitfire, the horse that she’ll ride. She’s already loving on the horse, letting it sniff and nuzzle her palm. She pets the horse, letting it get used to her touch and the sound of her voice, before she thinks of setting her foot in the stirrup.
He’s ridden horses before, but finds himself following her lead, letting his ride get to know him in the same way she bonds to Spitfire. Time pushes them forward. Their guides have been briefed as to his demands. They’re to ride over the hills until the light from the city disappears. He needs a clear night to view the stars and the surprise.
After a brief orientation, they’re saddled and ready to go.
“You sure you’ve never ridden before?” He looks to Holly who bends down to whisper into Spitfire’s ear. This is supposed to be adventurous and fun.
She glances at him and gives a wink. “I’m just telling Spitfire thank you for carrying me.”
Her consideration is all encompassing. He feels like an ass for vaulting on top of his horse, never once thinking to say thank you. At over two-hundred pounds of solid muscle, his weight isn’t insignificant to the two-kilo beast. Her comment makes him feel like an ass. Once Holly turns away to focus on their guides for the evening, Bash reaches down and strokes Raven Claw’s neck.
“Thank you, boy,” he soothes. “I appreciate you carrying me.” What the hell is he to say to a horse? It feels stupid to talk to Raven Claw, but he does it because of Holly. Hell, he got a dog because of Holly.
Their guides check both of them and then they’re off, headed into the hills and away from the light pollution which will steal the show. The trail is too narrow to ride side-by-side. He rides in front of Holly, oblivious to her emotions as she experiences the trail. It’s annoying, but he knows what waits for them ahead.
Forest is an ass most days, but there’s one thing Angel Fire’s manager does well. There’s a soft spot in Forest’s heart for romance, and in this, Forest came through. They ride for an hour before coming to a clearing. Everything is set with a perfection only Forest can achieve.
Their guides help them down from their horses. Bash’s ass is sore from the hour-long ride and he walks like a bow-legged cowboy. Holly is bouncing on her toes, dancing around the fire which is set and roaring for their arrival.
“You did this?” She skips around the fire. “I can’t believe you set this up.”
Plaid blankets stretch out beside the fire. Several pillows are scattered about, but he did nothing to set this up. Everything is a result of what he told Forest to create. He hates that now, wanting to have been the man who put this together for Holly. She dances around the fire, entranced and spellbound.
“What’s next?” The light from the fire casts a ruddy glow to her face. It’s at once terrifying and incredibly alluring.
He glances at the plaid blankets stretched across the ground and conjures all manner of things they might do over the next few hours. Their guides hover at the periphery and wait for his instructions. Forest spared nothing. There’s even a wicker basket set to the side. No doubt it’s filled with water and a bottle of wine, all touches Forest would add to complete a romantic conquest. Bash never would’ve gone past the blankets. This has him questioning everything. When did he become so jaded that bringing a girl into the hills meant nothing more than hooking up? Hell, when had he ever gone to this extent for sex?
Never.
That’s the answer.
For Holly, however, he’s done that and more. What does that mean?
He dismisses their guides who lead the horses away. Within moments, he and Holly are left blissfully alone.
“Um, Sebastian…” Her voice is uncertain, confused and hesitant.
“Yes?” He tries to sound nonchalant, but reality intrudes. There’s no way to hide what this looks like.
“Are they coming back?”
The horses are gone and the guides with them.
“Not until morning.”
“And we’re to stay here until then?”
“Do you want to head back?”
“Can we?”
“They’re just a phone call away, but that would spoil the surprise.”
“Which is?”
It doesn’t sound as if she’s afraid. This is a good sign.
“You promised to trust me.” He gestures to the plaid blankets spread out beneath the stars. The fire is burning down, crackling and popping as it consumes its fuel. “Come!”
“You promised to behave.” Her reminder is off-putting, but not unexpected. For whatever reason, she’s guarded around him.
“Have I given you any reason to think I won’t?”
“Actually…”
He lowers himself to the ground. Tamping the spot beside him, he encourages her to join him. “Do you remember Carter’s last wish?”
She looks to the sky. “Wish upon a star?”
“It’s silly, isn’t it?”
She settles in beside him. “You know, if it weren’t for Carter, I would say this is the sappiest excuse to get me to spend the night with a guy.”
“But?”
“I get it. Wish upon a star. I wonder what Carter would’ve wished for? You want to know a secret?”
“Of course.”
“I’ve never seen a shooting star.”
“How is that possible?”
“I guess, I never had a reason to look toward the heavens. It’s sad, isn’t it?”
He tugs her close. “Well then, that makes this extra special, right? We wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for our brothers. And I get to show you your first shooting star.”
She cuddles beside him. “What do we do?”
“Just look up.”
“But won’t the moon hide the shooting stars?”
She has no idea. He pulls her to him, loving that he gets to share this moment with her and terrified it won’t be anything he imagines.
They lay together. She rests her head in the crook of his arm and he plays with her springy curls. While waiting, he points out the basic constellations, until she gives a shout and points.
“There!” A shooting star streaks overhead, flaring white hot before dying out.
He tugs her close. “Did you make a wish?”
Curls spill over her shoulder, and she threads her fingers between his. “I did.”
“Are you going to tell me?”
“If you tell a wish it doesn’t come true.”
“Hmm. Was it about me?”
“I’ll never tell.”
“I see.”
For the next hour, they lay in each other’s arms, pointing to the heavens with each shooting star, but that isn’t the main event of the evening. She gives a yawn.
“Are you falling asleep on me again? You know, you could bruise my ego.”
“Sorry, but I feel incredibly content. I wish this evening would never end.”
“Because you can’t get enough of me, right?” He gives her a playful shove. “It’s a shame a promise keeps me from doing more than just holding you in my arms.”
She rolls over and lays half on his chest. “You know, sometimes the most intimate moments are when the clothes stay on.”
“Says who?”
She giggles. “You’re a mess.”
“A horny mess.”
“Sebastian!” She playfully punches him in the chest. It’s a tiny, insignificant thing, and completely adorable.
“Look, I say what I’m thinking.”
“Well, I’m enjoying this way more than I thought I would.”
“Oh, another blow to my ego. Did you doubt I’d show you a good time?”
“Well…”
He rolls her to the ground, pinning her in place as he stares down at her. Some things might be off the table, but he’s got the go ahead for kisses and touches. It’s time to make Holly squirm.
Her eyes widen moments before his mouth crashes against hers. She tastes of chocolate and wine, two delectable flavors that he’ll always associate with her. Without too much convincing, the kiss deepens. She opens for him and he sweeps inside to plunder and pillage. While he does, he skates a hand down her arm, feeling goosebumps lift on her skin.
A soft moan escapes her lips as he nibbles and licks, claiming her with the knowledge she belongs to him. The path his hand takes reverses, crawling back up her arm, as he tries to be as soft as possible. She’s not pulling away. In fact, she’s arching into his touch and wraps her free arm around his neck. He lifts her wrist and joins it with the other, loving the way she pulls him close. The exploration continues.
The sparkly top she’s wearing captured his attention all night long. It’s time to get better acquainted with it and what lies beneath. He rolls to settle his long length over Holly, trapping her beneath his bulk. In the shifting of their bodies, he places his hand on the gentle swell of her breast. No tension is present beneath his palm and he takes this as a good sign.
Slowly, carefully, he moves his hand to cup her breast. It barely fills his palm, but is perfect in every way. The plunder of her mouth continues as his tongue lashes out to be met with her rising passion. He slips his hand lower to find the edge of her shirt. Her skin is hot beneath his hand as he slides it across her midriff and up to cup her bare breast. No bra? He loves it.
The sweep of his thumb finds her pebbled nipple and he brushes the pad of his thumb over it. She’s not telling him to stop, and this is likely as far as he wants to take this. Holly has trust issues, and he’s not going to violate any of her boundaries before they’ve even begun. She arches into his hand, lifting her tit into his palm. He runs his thumb in a circle and flicks the tight nub. Her tiny gasp tells him everything he needs to know.
With any other chick, he would already be heading south, seeking the heat between her legs, but with Holly he holds back. This scares him more than anything in the world. The timer on his watch beeps and he pulls back with a groan.
“What’s that?” She asks.
The fire provides all their light, but its burned down to nothing but embers. Its ruddy glow hides the flush in her cheeks, but he’s certain it’s there. Her rosebud lips are puffy, swollen from their kiss, and her hair is a delectable mess, wild and out of control.
“I know you don’t like me saying this, but you’re stunning.”
“Sebastian.”
“I know, no corny lines, but damn, you have no idea how amazing you are.”
She bites her lower lip and stares at him, looking uncomfortable beneath the compliment. He doesn’t care. She shouldn’t have to feel bad when he tells her the truth.
“Come, let’s lay back down.”
“Why? Shouldn’t we be getting back soon?”
“We will, but not before the main event.”
“The main event? You mean sunset on the pier, dinner in a winery, and chasing shooting stars isn’t the main event?”
“Not even close. Tell me, have you ever seen a lunar eclipse?”
Her eyes widen and she looks overhead to the light of the full moon. It’s the perfect night for an eclipse. There’s not a single cloud in the sky. Already, a dark crescent darkens the disc of the moon.
“You have got to be kidding me?” She looks back at him, then stares back at the moon. Her voice lowers. “What are the odds?”
23
Bash
What were the odds of a lunar eclipse? Bash has no idea. Hell, he didn’t know there was a lunar eclipse, but Forest did. When he called his manager and explained his needs, Forest made magic happen. Not that everything tonight is Forest’s doing. Bash follows Carter’s list to the letter, like he does every year. Forest orchestrated dinner, but the final act of the night belongs completely to Bash. As Holly curls against him and points to the sky, he thinks back on his conversation with Forest.
“I need someplace really cool for dinner,” he told Forest. “Something that will knock her socks off.”
“Picnic on the beach?”
“No, something more.”
“More?”
“Yeah, more. It has to be epic.”
“Okay…what are your thoughts on more unconventional dinners?”
“Like what?”
“Isn’t that like with sticks and stuff?”
“And stuff,” Forest huffed with a laugh. “Listen, Chef Poirier prepared me a fondue dinner. It was easily one of my favorite meals ever.”
“And you can just call this guy?”
“Already sending a message.”
“Of course you are.”
“You did say epic. Now, as to where to have dinner? You said no beach…and that doesn’t work well with fondue anyway, but how about a winery?”
“That’s cool, but we have to watch the sunset from the pier and then there’s the last item on Carter’s list. It’s the perfect night for stargazing. There’s not a cloud in the sky.”
“I have a surprise. Did you know there’s a lunar eclipse tonight?”
In the span of minutes, Forest confirmed Chef Poirier’s availability, secured Quail Ridge Winery as the location for dinner, set up the trail ride, and arranged the final little bit Bash planned.
Holly would remember this night for the rest of her life and he would never forget this moment.
* * *
“I’ve never seen an eclipse before.” Holly holds his hand and gives it a squeeze. “I mean I learned about them in school, but never saw one. What about you?”
“I have, but it’s been years. Generally, I leave stargazing to a once a year event. The rest of the time…” He doesn’t want to finish that sentence. The rest of the time he’s partying and fucking, living the life expected of him. There are no regrets. He enjoyed every step along the way, and he wouldn’t give it up for anything. Only now, he’s wondering if he might be missing out on the bigger picture. Ash speaks about it all the time, but it never made sense until now.
Overhead, the Earth’s shadow slowly eats at the moon. The light from the fire is nothing but embers, and as they lose the moonlight, the stars overhead shine brighter. Holly catches several more shooting stars, pointing each one out with girlish excitement. He’s content, perhaps for the first time in years.
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