by Sara Mack
“Well,” I say arrogantly, “I think you chose the better of the two.”
He laughs and gives me a high-five as Joss joins us. “What about you Emma? When are you going to rejoin the team?”
I glance down at my empty wrist. I’ve only worn my amulet a few times since I cleaned it after the fight with Teagan. It still works; every time I slide it on my abilities return and my memory stays. But, without any danger and my busy schedule, it’s become more of an accessory than a way of life. I need to burn the excess energy that comes with being Larvatus and it’s been tough to find time to fit in workouts. Plus, my parents haven’t been complaining about the grocery bill, which is nice.
I smile at Joss. “Eventually. Lately, I think of myself as more of a second string player.”
Eyes focus on me and I look over to find James intently staring at me. I keep forgetting that everyone can read my mind now that I’m not wearing the bracelet. I remember explaining to him that we were a team and would always be in each other’s lives. I’m not holding up my end of the deal. I send my thoughts to him. “I’ll find my way back. I just need to be regular old me for a while. Okay?”
He gives me a half a smile.
Dane, Shel, and Matt reappear through the sliding door clad in swimsuits. Mad follows with a ginormous sheet cake in her hands, and I stand to help her set it on the picnic table. It says “Con“grad”ualtions Emma” and an owl, piped in icing, wears a graduation cap and takes up most of the left side. “He’s too cute.” I hug Madeline. “I don’t want to cut him.”
I’m forced to hack into the adorable student owl because the Larvatus around me are starving – as usual. I finish my piece of chocolate cake then head inside to change because of everyone’s ribbing. Why isn’t the guest of honor living-it-up in the hot tub? Because the guest of honor can’t hold her liquor and being drunk in a swimsuit is most likely a recipe for disaster.
As I’m leaving the guest room in a purple one-piece, Dane stops me in the hall.
“I can’t wait anymore. I want to give you my gift.” He takes my hand and pulls me back into the bedroom.
“Here?” I ask, shocked. “Don’t you think we should be alone?”
He shoots me a confused look. “We are alone.”
I need to get my mind out of the gutter. He said it wasn’t inappropriate.
He sits me on the bed then finds his leather jacket, searching the pockets. He produces a plain white business envelope and hands it to me. “Your present, Madame.”
I turn it over in my hands. There’s nothing written on it. “Gee, you shouldn’t have,” I say sarcastically, remembering our gift challenge. “It’s gonna be hard to top this.”
“Don’t be a smart ass,” he says as he sits next to me. “Open it.”
I’m surprised to find my fingers shake when I tear open the paper. I pull out a neatly folded letter:
6 am
May 25th
Pack light
My forehead pinches. “Are we going somewhere? Why couldn’t you give me this in front of my parents?”
His eyes light up. “Because I didn’t want to answer questions and ruin the surprise.”
I’m confused. “So, I don’t get to know the destination?”
He shakes his head. “Just be ready on that date at that time. I’ll pick you up.”
A trip? This is over the top. Should I be surprised? No, Dane does everything big. “You really shouldn’t have done this. It’s going to be crazy expensive, isn’t it?”
“Actually, it’s not,” he says, grinning. “Besides, what does it matter? I’m working.”
I keep forgetting that Dane’s idea of crazy expensive and mine are vastly different. It is true he has a great job; he got hired the week following his interviews. Both companies offered him a position and luckily he got to choose the place he liked best.
“Well, how long will we be gone? I’ll need to let Dr. Randall know.”
Yes, I’m asking questions to figure out the surprise. And yes, my internship turned into a full time job. Once baby Sophie was born, Sheila decided her calling was to be a stay at home mom. Working at the clinic isn’t what I want to do for the rest of my life, but I have a great boss and it will do for now.
“Just the weekend,” Dane says. “Through Memorial Day.”
I give him a suspicious look; although, inside, I’m practically jumping up and down. A weekend getaway with him? Yes, please!
I wrap my arms around his waist and sigh. “You know, a simple card and a kiss would have been enough. I don’t want you to think you have to lavish me with gifts. I’m not that high maintenance.”
“Well, the kiss I can arrange.” He leans in and plants one of those all-consuming lethal ones on me. “I’ll remember the card for next time.”
“Next time?” I smile. “I’m not planning on graduating again.”
“This trip is about more than graduation,” he says, clearly pleased with himself.
“It is?”
“May 25th is the day we first met.” His arms tighten around me. “Did you think I would forget our anniversary?”
I stare at him in shock. Yes, I would expect him to forget! I forgot!
“I plan on spending the rest of my years with you,” he says gently. “That means a lot more anniversaries.”
My heart starts to race. “Then you better buy stock in Hallmark,” I tease, trying to make light of his very serious statement. We’ve never discussed the future past a few weeks at a time.
He cradles my face and gives me a soft smile. “One day, when the time is right, I will propose to you, Grace. I’m warning you now, so you can prepare a proper response. One without sarcasm.”
Now my stomach has clenched itself into a knot, and I swallow at his admission. I hadn’t thought that far ahead. I hadn’t pictured the white dress, and the house, and the kids. There’s probably a dog involved somewhere, too.
“Em?” Dane studies me. “Why do you look pale?”
“You want to marry me?” falls out of my mouth.
He chuckles and drops his hands. “Yeah. In case you haven’t noticed I’m kind of in love with you. Is that surprising?”
I shake my head to clear it. He hasn’t had the best track record when it comes to engagements. “No. I mean yes. I mean, I didn’t realize you’d want to go through that again.”
“Through what? I’ve never been married.”
“But you had a crappy engagement. I hadn’t considered that you considered…”
He cuts me off. “The past is the past. You remember why I proposed to Teagan and it was for a million wrong reasons. What we have is different; it doesn’t touch that disaster of a relationship. We’re the real deal.”
My heart melts and puddles in my chest. “You think we’re the real deal? To death do us part?”
“We’ve already beat death once,” he says and runs his thumb over my cheek. “You saved me and I saved you.” He eyes my empty wrist. “I say the odds are in our favor.”
I can’t help myself as I throw my arms around his neck. “This probably isn’t the right time to say this, but I never imagined marrying anyone but James. When that option left, I think the whole idea of marriage left, too. You’d be able to put up with me? My sarcasm? My connection to the supernatural? My past weirdness? Everything?”
He laughs. “In small doses your sarcasm is cute. Your past weirdness is part of what attracted me to you, and I’m still hoping you’ll cave on the whole Larvatus thing and let me join the club.”
I lean back and plant a full kiss on his not-ready lips. He laughs against me.
“So I take it when I do propose you’ll say yes?”
I kiss him again.
“What are you doing in here?” Shel appears in the doorway. “Can’t you two keep your hands off each other for a minute? Jesus!”
“Like you’re one to talk,” I chastise her as I stand.
“Hey, I don’t get much time with you Ms.-I’m-Graduated-and-My-Bes
t-Friend-Isn’t. Come celebrate with me! I leave tomorrow.” She pouts.
I smile and drape my arm around her shoulders. “Fine, let’s go.”
As we leave the room, I wink at Dane over my shoulder.
Chapter 25
My mouth falls open as I stare at the sleek ship. “You bought a yacht?”
Dane laughs and then pulls me toward it. “No.”
“You rented a yacht?”
He clutches my hand as he tows me toward the back end. “No.”
When we get to where we have a full view of the back of the boat, he makes me drop my suitcase and turns me by my shoulders. “What does that say?”
I read the boat’s name. “Evelyn Grace.”
His mouth appears by my ear. “Whose name was Evelyn?”
“Your mom.”
“And whose name is Grace?”
“Mine,” I whisper.
From behind, he wraps his arms around my waist and sets his chin on my shoulder. “This was my mother’s boat. She inherited it from her father, my grandfather, when he passed. And when she died, I inherited it from her. Along with a few other things.”
I stare at it in awe. “Was her middle name Grace?”
“No.” He squeezes me. “It was Anne. I had the boat lettered. What do you think?”
My voice is lost behind the lump that’s formed in my throat. I’m beyond flattered, beyond touched. However, instead of expressing my gratitude the stupidest thing falls out of my mouth. “Won’t your dad be pissed?”
Dane kisses my cheek. “It’s not his boat. Come on.” He releases me and grabs my hand, towing me up the small gangway.
“Mr. Walker, sir.” A gentleman tips his naval cap to Dane as we step on to the main deck. “It’s nice to see you again.”
“It’s been a few years, hasn’t it Greg?” Dane smiles and turns to me. “Emma, this is Captain Travis. He’ll be with us for the next few days. Greg, Emma.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He extends his hand.
“Um, likewise.” I give Mr. Travis a tiny smile and a tentative handshake. I’m failing miserably at pretending I belong here.
He turns his attention back to Dane. “I’m sure you’ll find everything in order below deck. We’ll be underway in, say, fifteen minutes?”
Dane nods. “Sounds good.” He pulls me toward a set of stairs. “Let me show you around.”
When we make it to the bottom of the staircase I yank Dane’s hand hard. He stops in his tracks. “What?”
“I understand the boat is free. I’ll even accept the plane ticket to Miami. But a private captain? Is there a maid, too?”
He smiles. “Relax, Grace. Do you think I can drive this thing? Greg is a family friend; I’ve known him since I was five. He’s doing me a favor. Sailing is his hobby, but doesn’t have his own vessel.”
I’m speechless.
“And no, there’s no maid.” He winks at me. “You’ll have to pick up after yourself for the next three days.”
He continues through the ship, pointing out the stocked galley, full bathroom, master suite, small living area with flat screen, and the captain’s quarters. They look more like a closet.
“Are you going to make him sleep in there?” I ask. “It doesn’t look very comfortable.”
“We’ll be docking off the coast during the evenings. He’ll stay ashore.” He winds his hands around my waist and pushes me back against the wall. “Because there’s no way in hell we’re not fooling around.”
Okay, now I can’t breathe. The promise of sailing off the coast of Florida, relaxing in the sun by day and sleeping with Dane at night is causing me to have a mild asthma attack. And I don’t have asthma.
As we kiss, I mentally high-five myself. I knew this trip would be beyond words because that’s how Dane operates. But, I’ve made preparations to give him some of his own medicine. He loves to surprise and pamper me because it gets a reaction. He likes to watch me squirm even though he knows I’ll love whatever he’s done. Well, now it’s my turn.
It took me nearly three weeks to come up with and execute the perfect plan. It’s his anniversary too, so I don’t deserve all the gifts. I was a little nervous about my idea at first, but as I thought back on all the things he’s done for me, all the things he’s said to me, I knew it was the only thing I could give him that made sense. I’m about one hundred percent sure this gift tops all gifts, and I pray he likes it.
The boat motor starts with a loud rumble and it startles us both. We pull apart, laughing, and Dane urges me back upstairs to sit on the deck as we head out to sea. He helps a random deck hand with the moorings as I find a nice sunny spot on one of two small lounges. When we’re completely detached, Captain Travis gently glides the Evelyn Grace away from the dock, away from the marina, and out into the crystalline blue water.
Dane finds me minutes later and sits behind me on the lounge. He pulls me back against his chest and wraps his arms around me. I sigh as I relax into him.
“I figured we’d do a lot of this,” he says into my ear. “Is that okay?”
I nod enthusiastically. “I’m definitely down for a lot of this.” Pure relaxation. Who could ask for more?
Hours later, after we’ve napped, ate, and basically putzed around, we dock for the night. Captain Travis bids us farewell till morning, and I can’t help but feel a little embarrassed by his leaving. Surely, he knows we want privacy. In reality, I’m probably feeling more nerves than embarrassment. I’m about ready to reveal to Dane that I got him something, and it has to happen tonight if it’s going to be any kind of surprise.
“So,” I try to be nonchalant. “I’m going to need you to sit right here,” I grab him by the shoulders and move him to the foot of the bed, “and wait.”
He takes a seat, looking bewildered. “For what?”
“It’s our anniversary,” I stress our, “and I got you a present. But,” I hold up one finger, “there are a couple of rules.”
He smirks. “I kind of like where this is going. Continue.”
“First rule, no laughing.”
He immediately tries to hide a smile. “Okay. Why would I laugh?”
“Just work with me.” I hold up another finger. “Two. When I come back out here, you have to find your gift. I’m not going to show it to you.”
He looks confused.
“And rule number three. You have to be honest. If this gift outdoes all others you have to admit you can never top it.”
He mulls over the last rule, or at least pretends to. “Agreed.” He grins and shoos me away. “Get to the gift giving, woman.”
I smile. “Okay.” I make a brief stop at my suitcase, clutch a couple items to my stomach, and head to the bathroom.
As I change, I start to second-guess my plan. It sounded great in my head; I was even confident I wouldn’t feel stupid wearing what I bought with his blasted gift card from Christmas. The girl at Victoria’s Secret assured me my purchase was classy. The lingerie looks just like a bikini and covers just as much. It’s black lace, and a delicate green ribbon, Dane’s favorite color, is woven into the waistband and around the bottom of the bra. It’s cute. So why am I starting to sweat? The other part of his gift is much more permanent, and I didn’t bat an eyelash when I got that. I take a deep breath. I’m so glad I came up with the no laughing rule seconds ago.
When I reach for the door handle, I literally feel like the biggest ass on the planet. Who do I think I am? Gisele Bundchen? Kate Upton? Not! I open the door a crack. Dane remains where I put him except, now, he’s leaned back to lounge on his elbows. Attempting to keep whatever shreds of dignity I have together, I open the door all the way and walk out to stand a few feet in front of him. I have to concentrate really hard to keep my arms at my sides and not cross them over my bare stomach.
As soon as he sees me, Dane is no longer lounging. He sits up straight and has to blink a few times to focus. I actually look behind me to see if there’s something I missed.
�
��Um…” He clears his throat. “I think I found my gift.” His voice is raspy.
I meet his eyes and they’re huge. This gives me a little more confidence, and I push my hair over one shoulder. “You said you wanted to see what I bought,” I remind him of our Christmas deal, “but this isn’t your present. It’s kind of…” I search for words. “The wrapping paper.”
He looks even more stunned which makes me smile. I can do this! Although, I’m still a little shaky. Yeah, he’s seen all of me before. But it’s usually dark, and I’m not normally on display.
He swallows. “So, what do I do?”
I reach for his hand and pull him off the bed. “Find it.”
He stands directly in front of me and his eyes bore into mine. “How long do I have?”
“As long as it takes.” Which wouldn’t be very long if he would concentrate.
He leans in to my ear. “I’d prefer a time limit. I don’t know how long I can last.”
I almost fall over. “Cooperate and start looking.”
He circles my body slowly, and I swear I can feel everywhere he looks. It’s like every nerve is on hyper drive.
“Why are you making this so difficult?” he asks. “What am I looking for? I like what I see and I’m tempted to tell you this outdoes everything right now. If I do will you –” He stops in his tracks. “No way.”
I arch a brow. “See something different?”
He drops to one knee by my left hip where half of a wing is exposed above the waistline of my fabulous underwear. He hooks one finger over the material and edges it down just enough to expose my butterfly tattoo.
The light dawns. “This is why you wouldn’t let me touch you last week. You lied.”
“I had to! It was tender, and I wanted it to be a surprise.” I had told him I wasn’t feeling well. “Do you like it? You know why I chose a butterfly, right?
His soft eyes jump to mine. “Because I compared you to one.”
I smile and nod as he goes back to examining my body art, tracing the outline with his finger. My tattoo is drawn from a side view; my butterfly has a thin body and delicate antennae. Her wing curls off into dainty tendrils at the top and the bottom, and it’s filled with swirls that flow around one another. They conceal, to the untrained eye, the best part of the whole piece.
