One Funeral (No Weddings #2)(65)

I furrowed my brow. “Where?”

“Taiwan. We can be among the thousands setting their lanterns aloft.”

“I’d like that.” But then I frowned, thinking of all the people, and brought myself back to the present, where only two people on Earth existed. “I will always love this moment, though.”

He made a low humming noise. “Because it’s ours.”

I nodded. Exactly.

We grew silent, watching the stars glitter overhead. Then he turned toward me, squeezing my hand. “When’s your birthday?”

I glanced at him. “Why?”

“You said it wasn’t your birthday today. Now I’m wondering when it is.”

“December 11th, I’m a Sagittarius. When’s yours?”

“May 17th.”

I gasped and yanked my hand free, punching his shoulder. “Why didn’t you tell me your birthday was a couple of weeks ago?”

He shrugged. “I hate making a big deal about my birthday. It’s just a day. Besides, Candie was celebrating her death that day, so it seemed wrong to bring it up. I got major closet snog, though. Best birthday ever.”

I burst out laughing. “Closet snog? What are you, British now? And how very sexy.”

He sent me a heated glance. “Were you there? It was hotter-than-the-surface-of-the-sun sexy.”

I chewed on my lower lip, remembering. Exhaling slowly, I tried to calm down my rioting pulse before my thong melted between my legs. I forced my thoughts elsewhere, so I wouldn’t pounce on him right there on the dock. “So May 17th. Taurus?”

“Yep. The bull.”

“Ha! Why does that not surprise me?” I sat up, tugging him with me. “C’mon, Romeo. I’m thirsty, and I saw an ice bucket up there.”

“Yes, Maestro. I’m at your service tonight. Your every wish is my craved command.” He pulled me up from the dock, then raced up the grassy hill toward the bistro set, dragging me along as I laughed.

Jumping out ahead of me, he pulled one of the chairs out, gesturing to the seat with an outstretched hand. I tipped my head in thanks and sat as he tucked the chair beneath me. “Tonight, if the lady desires, we have a delicate ice wine. Schloss Vollrads Eiswein. I’m told it’s the best, but we’ll be the judges.”

Two black cloth napkins lay folded on the table. He snapped one into the air and slid it below the table, landing it on my lap. The other napkin he folded over an arm he’d bent out in front of him, like a sommelier. He tilted his nose up into the air and imperceptibly shook his head with a self-important expression. I burst out laughing.

From a basket behind us, he pulled out two tulip-shaped glasses and placed them on the table. With an arcing swoop of his arm, he swiped the slender bottle from the ice bucket by its neck and angled it out for my approval.

I took a moment, tilting my head and examining the bottle, as if I knew what the hell I was looking at. I had no clue. But I did my best to mimic the pronunciation in a German accent with a nod. “Schloss Vollrads Eiswein.” Yeah, I’d slaughtered it.

The corners of his lips twitched, but he fought it valiantly, pressing them together in a firm line while he popped the cork. He lifted one of the glasses and poured in a pale golden liquid.

After he’d poured a sample and began to hand it to me, he sighed, shaking his head as he pulled it back out of my reach. “Forget it, I’m pouring the damn things.”

Clapping at his winning performance, I laughed and watched him pour both glasses before taking his seat. Without a word, but clearly dissatisfied with the distance between us, he moved the table forward and dragged his chair beside mine, our thighs touching.

He held up his glass, and I lifted mine.

His gaze drifted up toward the night sky, then fell back to mine. “To lantern launches, first dates, and firsts of all kinds, starting tonight.” His dark sapphire eyes glittered, staring deep into mine.

My pulse kicked up. The excitement of being so close to the man who felt like a force of nature made me dizzy, and I hadn’t even had my first sip of wine.

The tent beyond him was set up like a bed, so I was under no delusion here. He wanted a very serious first for us.

He’d been patient. He’d not only waited, but he’d given me every kind of support imaginable to get me ready for tonight—to take the next step with him in confidence without ever looking back.

And I was ready. I wanted to take that step.

I grinned. “I will so drink to that.”





We clinked glasses, the mood intensifying between us with every pounding beat of my heart. After a deep breath and a slow exhale, I brought the dainty glass up to my lips and sipped the Eiswein. Citrusy with the mildest hint of tart apple, the wine rolled over my tongue like a delicate dessert kiss.

Cade’s gaze darkened when I licked my lips. “How does our esteemed lady-judge rate the wine?”

“Hmmm, I need another sip to know for sure.” I watched him over the glass, pressing my lips to the rim with gentle pressure, like a soft kiss. Then I opened slightly, letting the sugary liquid pass, flooding my mouth. Tipping the glass upright, I pulled away and licked my lips for him this time, with seductive intent.

He didn’t move. I’m pretty sure he didn’t breathe. Two heavy blinks were his only response. I wondered if that was Cade’s version of Morse code for “holy shit.”