“Tessa,” his smooth voice sounded through the fog of slumber I was deeply embedded in and brought me back to the present.
I took a deep breath as my eyes fluttered open. I was greeted by darkness as my eyes settled on the window directly across from my bed. “What?” I whined as I turned over, stretched and reached for the blanket to cover my naked body.
“Wake up,” he said as he placed a gentle kiss on my forehead while trailing his fingers down my arm, leaving a trail of goosebumps.
“Not yet! I just need a few more minutes,” I pleaded as I pulled the blanket up over myself to shield myself from both the chill that had settled in the room and the heat that Rob was causing to build up deep inside of me. The man had a way with my body and I was too tired and sore from our previous lovemaking session for another one right now.
“We’re going to miss it,” he said as he grabbed my arm and pulled me into him. He tilted my head up and placed a kiss on my lips that promised of things to come if I didn’t pull away from him and stop whatever it was he was trying to start.
My head rested against his hard yet smooth chest and I inhaled the scent of our sex still wafting off him. I bit my bottom lip to stifle the moan that threatened to escape my throat. “You really did a number on me,” I informed him as my breathing steadied and matched the rise and fall of his chest.
“Woman, you have no idea the things you do to me.” His chest rumbled with his words and I knew I needed to put some distance between us before I ended up on top of him.
Looking away from his deep soulful brown eyes, I let my eyes settle on the pile of our discarded clothes on the floor by my bed. “What’s up?” I asked.
Grabbing my chin with his strong fingers, Rob gently turned my head so I was facing him again. “Since you let me be your first, I wanted to experience a first with you.”
I couldn’t help the smile that pulled at my lips. My intrigue got the better of me and I sat up a little straighter. “You’ve got my attention,” I said softly.
Taking a deep breath and not taking his eyes off me, Rob found my hand and interlaced our fingers. “I’ve never watched the sun rise with the woman I loved.”
His admission caused my eyes to widen as his words replayed in my head. “Did you just say what I think you did?”
“Tessa, I don’t know when or how it happened. All I know is that I have never felt this way before,” he admitted.
Tears welled in my eyes and started to roll down my cheeks as I continued to stare at him. Time seemed to stand still as his words continued to repeat in my head.
“Tessa?” he asked with a bit of fear mixed in with his soft tone.
I slowly shook my head while I took a calming breath. Without thinking, I leaned over and slammed my lips down against his soft ones. There were no words that could express how I was feeling. All I knew is that I wanted to be with this man who had just bared his soul and heart to me. My eyes fell closed as he took control in that way only he can do and deepened the kiss. His strong tongue demanded entrance into my mouth. I eagerly gave into his silent demand and opened my mouth for him. His tongue went right to work and explored every inch of my mouth before starting a duel with mine. I gave him what he wanted and our tongues intwined as the last bit of air left my lungs. I didn’t care! If it was my time, there was no better way to go than this exact moment.
Ending the kiss before I even knew what was happening, Rob quickly climbed off the bed and started pulling on his gray sweatpants. “Come on,” he urged as he tied the white string at his waist.
“Where are we going at this hour?” I asked, following his lead and getting out of bed. I walked over to my dresser and grabbed a tank top from the open top drawer.
“Do you trust me?” The simple question rolled off his tongue while he gazed lovingly at me and waited for my answer.
“Hmm,” I teased as I grabbed a pair of leggings out of the laundry basket next to my dresser. Sliding the thin pants on, I made sure to maintain eye contact with him.
“Tessa!” There was a bit of urgency in his voice and I couldn’t deny my slight feeling of guilt from teasing him.
Bending down to grab my tennis shoes, I slid my feet into the shoes before standing up and meeting his gaze. Walking over to him, I grabbed both of his hands in mine and placed a quick kiss on his lips. “Not only do I trust you but I love you too.”
*****
“Where are we?” I asked as the car slowed to a stop at the edge of the Allenville Woods. Looking out the window and seeing the never-ending trees in front of me, a bit of fear washed over me.
Shutting the car off and opening the door, Rob turned to look at me. “Do you trust me?”
Turning my head and locking eyes with him, I knew that no harm would come my way with him by my side. I nodded my head before undoing my seatbelt.
Sliding out of the car and quietly closing the door behind him, Rob made his way to my side and opened the door for me. I took his offered hand and let him pull me to his side. The warmth that radiated off him enveloped me and I couldn’t deny the passion that started to build up in my core.
“What are we doing out here at this hour?” I asked as he started to lead me into the woods.
“You’ll find out in just a few seconds,” he said as he continued to guide me deeper into the secluded tree-filled area. Not a sound could be heard except for the leaves underneath our feet and our breathing from the brisk walk. As we came to a clearing in the middle of the woods, I noticed a blanket and picnic basket waiting. A gasp escaped my throat as Rob turned around and dropped down to one knee.
“What are you doing?” I whispered as tears filled my eyes and I gripped his hand tight.
“I have a very important question to ask you and knew this spot would be perfect.” The dark skies started to lighten and I knew that the sun wasn’t that far behind.
“When did you do all this?”
“I may have a little help,” he said with a wink and a smile. Looking up at me, I noticed something in his eyes that I had never seen before.
“From who?”
“Tessa,” he said, ignoring my question. “My life changed the moment we met.”
“Mine did too,” I said, interrupting him again.
“I have been with my fair share of women but there is something different about you.” Taking a breathe, he wiped his eyes with his free hand. “Tessa, you gave me something special when you gave me your special gift.”
“And I would do it again.”
“Tessa!” he growled, his eyes locked on mine and I knew he was serious.
“Sorry,” I said.
Taking another breath, his eyes darted up to the sky and back to me. “Like I was saying,” he said as he pulled a small black box out of his pocket and fiddled with it. “You gave me the most precious gift you could give anyone and now I want to give something back to you.” Opening the box, he pulled the ring out and slipped it on my finger. “Tessa Bailey, I can’t offer you what you gave to me. What I can do is offer you my heart. Will you do me the honor and be my wife?”
As the words left his lips, tears ran down my face. “What?” I asked, needing to hear the words again.
“Will you be my wife?”
“Yes.” The promise of forever left my lips as the sun climbed higher in the sky and shined down on us.
“You gave me your first and I want to give you my forever,” he said as he stood up and wrapped me up in his arms and slammed his lips against mine.