Whipped (Hitched #2)(18)

"I'm familiar with it in theory, but I prefer to know ahead of time what's happening with my life. I've never been a huge fan of surprises. I find anticipation is more exciting than surprise. If I know what's going to happen I can look forward to it, think about it, imagine it. A surprise leaves nothing but shock. It's not worth it." I sip at my coffee, carefully navigating it to my mouth so I don't spill it everywhere.

"We're going to have to work on this. I can't accept a no-surprise clause to our relationship along with everything else."

I swallow my argument along with the last dregs of sugary sweet liquid as he slows the car to a stop.

"We're here!" He sounds like a kid about to open their birthday present, and it's endearing in an unexpected way. And almost makes me excited about a surprise.

I grin, and pull my leather jacket around my body as he guides me out of the car and into the still cold morning. "When do I get to actually see this date?" I ask. "Please tell me I don't have to do the whole thing blind. I'm not sure I can handle that."

He laughs, and I enjoy the deep timbre of it. "Soon, babe. Soon, you will see everything."

My arm is linked into his, the warmth of his body filling me as we walk the few feet to this mystery date. When he breaks contact to take my blindfold off, I’m surprised to immediately miss the feel of him.

"Ready?"

I would glare at him, but he can't see my eyes, so I stick my tongue out instead. So mature, I know, but the teasing is fun, if juvenile. This is something new for me. I'm not used to being so… relaxed? Fun? I don't know the word, but there's a sense with Lachlan that I don't have to be in control all the time. That I can actually let my guard down and be silly. It's a bit disconcerting, but not in a bad way.

His hand brushes against my cheek as he unties the black silk. When my eyes open, it takes a moment to adjust to the still mostly dark sky, but then I see where we are and my heart does a little leap.

Before us a man is spreading out a yellow and orange tent of material attached to a large basket. Goosebumps cover my arms as all the pieces come together. "We're going hot air ballooning?"

"Yes." I can tell he's waiting to see if this is good for me or not, and in an out-of-character display of physical enthusiasm I throw myself into his arms.

He's quick to respond, his arms tightening around my waist as our bodies press together, my lips finding his before I have time to think. His lips are soft and his kiss is the perfect mix of slow and teasing that builds into something more. Passionate, probing, full of sexual desire. We're interrupted by the man behind us clearing his throat.

"We're all set," he says, and Lachlan pulls away and introduces us.

"Vi, this is Clint, an old buddy of mine who gives the occasional tour via hot air balloon to tourists."

I hold out my hand and accept his handshake. He's not as tall as Lachlan, and not as athletically built, but he's got a kind face and a welcoming smile. He reminds me a bit of a farmer in a fairy tale, with his flannel and jeans and bearded face, and his hands are callused, like someone who works hard with them.

"Nice to meet you, Clint. What do you do when you're not doing this?"

"I train horses," he says.

Lachlan pats Clint's back. "He's a jack-of-all-trades and was kind enough to set up a private balloon ride for us."

"Have you ever been?" Clint asks me.

"No, but I've always wanted to. I recently went skydiving for the first time. I loved it." I grin at Lachlan. "You pretty much nailed my first date fantasy, by the way. Horseback riding would have been a close second."

He takes a dramatic bow. "Glad to be of service to milady. Would you say this was worth a surprise?"

I purse my lips and try not to smile so broadly my face cracks. "I suppose you get a pass on the no-surprise clause for this one."

He slips an arm around my shoulder and leans in. "I still haven't agreed to that one, and am not likely to. I have many surprises planned for you, babe. And you'll love them all."

My knees quiver a bit at the implied promises his voice holds.

Clint is already turned away from us, prepping the balloon. We watch in silence as it fills with air, expanding larger than I imagined it would until there's space for us to enter the basket.

"We can accommodate a much larger group," Clint says as we enter the basket. "But Lachlan made it clear this needed to be a private party."

Once inside, I expect to feel a jolt, a sudden lurch from the earth as we became airborne. Instead, I'm caught up in a dreamlike flotation that lifts us from one plane of existence and into the heavens. I hold my breath and lean against the side to take in everything. The sun is starting to rise, filling the sky with the brightening hues of pinks, yellows, oranges and reds. Lachlan comes up behind me and embraces me, his arms reaching around to grip the edge of the basket on either side of me as we soar higher and higher over Nevada.

Clint leaves us to our own world, and it's easy to forget he's even there as we glide gently along, the humming of the fires giving us occasional lift. The movement through the sky is exhilarating, and my heart pings a new rhythm of happiness as I enjoy this moment with Lach's arms around me.

He leans in, his lips brushing my ear. "You're stunning when you smile," he says.