First Crush, My Forever

Chapter 97

  The drive into the Hill Country feels like it takes us a world away from San Antonio. The city lights fade, replaced by stretches of green rolling hills and oak trees catching the last of the sun. Dani has her hand resting in mine, thumb brushing back and forth over my knuckles, but I can feel her curiosity buzzing.

  She leans back in her seat, looking out the window. "You're seriously not gonna tell me where we're going?"

  I grin, squeezing her hand. "Nope. You'll see soon enough."

  "Tease," she mutters, but there's a smile tugging at her lips.

  When we finally pull up, I watch her face closely. The cabin sits tucked among the trees, warm light spilling from the windows, a wide porch wrapping around the front, and behind it, a deck with a private hot tub steaming in the cool evening air. It looks like something out of a postcard... quiet, cozy, and completely ours.

  Dani stares, lips parting, her breath catching. "Taytum... oh my God."

  I can't help but smile, proud of myself for pulling this off. "Happy birthday, baby."

  She turns to me, eyes glassy like she might cry, but instead she laughs and shakes her head. "You're unreal. You really are."

  I park and barely have time to get my door shut before she's in front of me, tugging me into a kiss that's soft and lingering, her hands sliding up my chest.

  "You did all this for me?" she whispers against my lips.

  "Every bit of it," I say, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "A birthday getaway. Just us. No work, no stress, no distractions."

  Dani's hand is in mine as I unlock the door, and she gasps the second it swings open. Inside, the cabin is even better, it's warm and rustic, high wooden beams, plush couches, and a stone fireplace in the middle with a view straight out to the back deck that looks out over the hills. I set our bags down while Dani takes it all in, touching the furniture like she can't believe it's real.

  Then she spots the hot tub through the back doors. "Is that..." She turns, wide-eyed, pointing.

  "Yep," I say with a grin. "Private hot tub. All ours."

  She lets out a little laugh, then wraps her arms around my neck, kissing me again. "You're spoiling me. You've outdone yourself again, though. This is... wow."

  "That's the point," I murmur, giving her waist a playful squeeze. "Birthday girl deserves to be spoiled and only the best for you." My hands settle on her hips, thumbs brushing under the hem of her shirt. I dip down, kiss her softly, then give her butt a playful squeeze causing her to push into me.

  Dani pulls away and wanders into the kitchen, running her fingers along the counters. "This is so nice. I feel like we're in some fancy magazine spread."

  I come up behind her, sliding my hands over her hips. "Nah, it's better. Because you're here."

  She laughs, tilting her head back against me. "That's so cheesy."

  "You love cheesy." I press a kiss just under her ear, grinning when I feel her shiver.

  "Maybe," she says, voice playful, "but only when it's you." She turns in my arms, looping hers around my neck. Her lips find mine in a slow kiss, soft at first, then teasing as she nips at my bottom lip.

  "Careful," I murmur against her mouth, my hands tightening around her waist, sliding down just enough to cup her butt. "You keep that up, and we won't make it out of this kitchen."

  Her laugh bubbles out, low and mischievous. "Maybe that's my plan."

  I lean in close, brushing my nose along hers. "Birthday girl's already scheming, huh?"

  "Maybe," she whispers, pecking my lips again before slipping out of my arms and wandering towards the stairs like she didn't just set me on fire.

  I watch her move, hands stuffed into the back pockets of her jeans, that easy sway in her hips she has especially when she knows I'm looking. "You're trouble," I call after her.

  Dani glances over her shoulder, smirking. "You knew that when you proposed."

  Following her, I chuckle, shaking my head, as I grab our bags to take them to the bedroom. The room is just as perfect as the rest of the cabin, big California King bed, soft linens, and a view of the hills through the wide windows. I set her bag on the bed, unzip it, and start pulling out the clothes I packed for her.

  "You already unpacking for me?" she asks, appearing in the doorway, arms crossed but eyes soft.

  "Just being a good fiancée," I say, holding her sweater up with a grin.

  Dani shakes her head, laughing, and comes over to kiss me again, this one slower, deeper, her hand sliding into my hair. She pulls back just enough to whisper, "I love you."

  I rest my forehead against hers, smiling. "Love you too, baby."

  For a moment we just stand there, quiet, holding each other like the world outside doesn't exist. Then I kiss her temple and step back before I get too carried away. "Alright, as much as I'd love to let you distract me, I have something else planned first."

  Her brows lift, curiosity sparking. "Something else?"

  I grin, keeping my voice playful. "Yep. So don't get too comfortable, because in a little bit we're going out."

  "Out?" she repeats, smiling slow, suspicion in her tone. "You made a reservation, didn't you?"

  I smirk, not giving her the satisfaction. "Maybe. You'll see."

  Dani takes the time to open the sliding door and walk out onto the top deck which also has a hot tub. She presses both palms to the railing, looking out at the hills. "That hot tub is calling my name."

  I come up behind her, arms slipping around her waist, lips brushing her shoulder. "Later," I murmur, letting my teeth graze her skin just enough to make her shiver. "We've got time."

  She tilts her head back against me, playful but curious. "What have you got planned?" I just kiss her neck, refusing to answer, and she groans. "Tay, you're killing me."

  "You'll find out soon enough."

  She spins in my arms, eyes narrowed but still smiling, and pokes my chest. "You're hiding something."

  "Maybe," I tease, dropping my voice low. "Guess you'll just have to wait until later."

  Her laugh is soft but full, the sound of home. She kisses me quickly, then shakes her head. "You're impossible."

  I tuck her hair behind her ear, grinning. "And you love it."

  We finish unpacking, tucking clothes into the dresser and hanging a couple of Dani's dresses in the closet. She smooths her hand over the bedspread, eyes glinting at me like she's already imagining how we'll use it later. I grin and toss one of the throw pillows at her chest. She catches it easily, hugging it to her belly.

  "You didn't have to carry half my closet, Tay," she says, shaking her head.

  "I did," I shoot back, "because I know you'll change your mind three times before we leave this cabin for dinner."

  Her brows knit. "Dinner? I thought we were just cooking here tonight."

  I bite the inside of my cheek, fighting the smile creeping up. "About that..." I cross the room and take the pillow from her arms, tossing it on the bed so I can pull her closer. "I might have made us a reservation."

  Dani's lips part. "A reservation?"

  I nod, brushing my thumb along her cheek. "There's this place not too far from here, in Fredericksburg. Romantic. Quiet. I wanted you to have a real birthday dinner, not just me cooking."

  She laughs and shakes her head, but her eyes are shining.

  I check the time then lean down to kiss her forehead. "So you better get dressed, birthday girl, because I want to spoil you properly tonight."

  Her smile spreads slowly and wide, and she presses into my chest. "You're really something, you know that?"

  "Yeah," I murmur against her hair. "Something that's gonna spoil you tonight."