Page 134 of That First Date
This equally excites me and annoys me because I like to have a plan for things.
Realization washes over me as I quickly pick up my phone to see what day it is. December 29th. Which means that tomorrow is Marc’s birthday.
What is he up to?
I also just finished my first real estate course. It was overwhelming to say the least, but my organized heart loved checking off boxes for assignments due. It’s been nice having a break before the next course starts in the new year.
“Are you going to be more specific?”
“Just get ready, baby,” Marc shouts as he leaves the room.
I throw the blankets off me and pad down the hall after him. Not even realizing that I’m still not wearing a single piece of clothing from the night before, and Marc is dressed in his Sunday best. Well… for him, it’s his best. Dark washed jeans, a form fitting polo and his hair tousled to perfection. Completely ready for whatever he has planned.
“I need to know what you want me to wear and what I’m getting ready for.”
Marc spins around, and his eyes burn a hole through my skin as they trail me up and down. “Fuck. You’re making it hard to want to leave right now.”
I widen my stance, placing my hands on my hips and giving him the best smirk I got, exposing every part of my bare body for him to see. “Yeah? What are you going to do about it?”
He groans as his head falls back, bringing his bottom lip between his teeth.
“You kill me, Ave. You damn near kill me.”
“I’m waiting.”
“You’re going to have to wait until we get to where we’re going,” he says through gritted teeth. “Get in the shower. We have a plane to catch.”
My eyes widen in shock and I gasp. “A plane?”
He surges towards me, removing any distance that was between us. Cupping my face in his hands before he brings his lips to hover across mine. “Surprise,” he coos, before he places a delicate kiss on my lips. “I can’t tell you where we’re going. But I need you to get dressed before I bend you over the kitchen counter which would make us very late, baby.”
“I mean… we can be quick? Don’t you want some of your birthday presents early?”
“You should know by now that I love…” His fingertips trail from my neck, down my arms until they cup my bare breasts. “Taking my sweet time with this perfect body.” He kisses me one last time before he reaches behind me, spinning me around and giving my ass a smack. “Now get in the shower.”
“You’re a tease.”
“Says the girl who strode out of the room buck-ass naked, tempting me with a birthday gift when we have places to be,” he shouts as he retreats to the kitchen.
My core throbs as the loss of contact from him, craving a release from the man who sets my world on fire. But I do as he said and walk my little ass into the room to get ready to get on a plane.
I’ve never been surprised with anything before, so my thoughts run wild as the water cascades down my body. Where in the world is this man taking me that involves an airplane? The longest flight I’ve taken is from New York to Vermont, which isn’t very long.
An hour later, I’m showered, shaved and my blow-dried hair falls freely down my back. I’m dressed for comfort because traveling is the most uncomfortable thing. I opt for a pair of black yoga pants and a loose-fitting sweater. It’s light to prepare for whatever weather we’re heading into.
“I’m ready, boss man,” I announce as I enter the kitchen, noticing luggage is already packed for me and ready to go. Large suitcases too, which triggers a response in my brain that we must be going somewhere for at least a week. Minimum. “Are you going to tell me where we’re going yet?”
“Nope.” He grins and is out the door with suitcases in each hand.
Keeping a surprise from Avery has been the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I knew I would be able to keep it a secret until we landed at our destination because my driver brought us right to the tarmac to board the private jet. I didn’t want to have to deal with her knowing during the international check-in process.
Perks of having money is that I can do it all before we even take off.
We’re about six hours into our flight and she still has no idea where the hell I’m taking her. She’s so damn cute trying to figure out where in the United States we’re going. Her best guess is California.
I’ve had this trip to Paris planned since before Bill named me CEO. She had mentioned it on the very first date that it was her dream. I knew I’d take her one day. I also knew from that first date that I’d do everything I can to make all of her dreams come true. I’d give her the world if she asked for it.
“We should be landing in about an hour.”