The Dom with the Dragon Tattoo (Masters of Submission #5)(31)
He figured the sensory deprivation experience would make her appreciate the things she’d previously taken for granted. Things like sight, hearing, touch, and smell. With the hatch open, the tank was a very relaxing place. Subdued light filtered through the opening, illuminating the turquoise-blue interior with a softly undulating hue. Used this way, the tank was a very relaxing and tranquil place to be, and he would often relax here after a stressful day at Cerberus Technology. He’d regularly chill out for a half hour or so, restoring much-needed equilibrium to his otherwise busy life.
When her head lifted from his chest, he looked down into her beautiful velvet brown eyes and kissed her possessively on the lips.
“Tyler,” she whispered, and he knew she’d finally returned to reality. The last time she’d uttered his name, she’d screamed it so loud, he’d thought his eardrums would burst. “I love you so much, Tyler.”
He stroked his hand down her face, grazing his thumb across her full, luscious lips. “I love you, too, Becca. Let’s get you out of here and dried off.”
Chapter Sixteen
Rebecca sighed with utter contentment as she settled back on the soft cushions and allowed her hand to dangle over the side of the small boat. The sensation as her fingers trailed idly in the cool water felt very decadent and relaxing as Tyler effortlessly rowed them toward the center of the private lake.
Backlit by the slowly setting sun, he looked magnificent. A halo effect of orange and gold lit up his hair and highlighted the powerful muscle formation of his biceps and shoulders to amazing effect. Splashes of red and yellow spread out along the horizon, and every so often the lake would sparkle with golden glints as the water lapped and eddied against the small wooden craft.
Feeling wonderfully alive, she sighed again. “This is pure bliss, Tyler.”
“Sure is, honey. I don’t get the chance to come out here as often as I’d like, but today’s a special occasion.” He smiled as he continued rowing, the sound of the seasoned oars creaking enchantingly against the shiny brass oarlocks. The words of a favorite song drifted idly through her mind, and such was her happiness, she couldn’t stop herself from singing, “Oh, it’s such a perfect day, I’m glad I spent it with you.” She couldn’t remember the words after this point so hummed the rest.
Tyler beamed at her, taking her happiness to an even higher level. “I must be doing something right. It’s lovely to see you this way.”
“Tyler, you do everything right, but don’t let it go to your head.” She lifted her hand from the water and flicked the contents of the lake at him before roaring with laughter.
What could be more perfect? His beautiful house lay just a few hundred yards behind them on the shore. Surrounded by mature live oaks, the modern building somehow seemed to complement the beauty of the lake, as though it belonged there. Tyler’s own creative design looked amazing from any angle. A smattering of light made the place look warm and welcoming and illuminated the buffalo grass with a seductive orange glow, while the pathway leading down to the wooden jetty slowly started to appear from the descending darkness as a myriad of tiny LEDs automatically switched on.
She dangled her hand in the cool water again. “Mmm, you’re really spoiling me today. Now let me see. Ah, yes, first we had pizza and champagne. Then I had a life-changing experience in the flotation tank. I don’t think I’ll ever forget that, and now, a boat ride with the world’s most beautiful man, on the world’s most beautiful lake, with the sun just starting to dip below the horizon.” This was her perfect day. Her body still simmered with an intoxicating mix of contentment and excitement.
He stopped rowing and looked directly at her, and she knew he had something on his mind. He held out his hand. “Come and sit with me.”
Oh God, that sexy look in his amber eyes turned her on every time. This evening really was perfect. She briefly wondered if he’d set the whole thing up in order to ask that one little question. Will you marry me, Becca? Startled by her own thoughts, she suddenly sat bolt upright. Where the hell had that idea come from? Look around you, girl. The guy’s made a lot of effort. He hasn’t brought you all the way out here to talk about global warming or the price of gas. “You’re going to ask me something, aren’t you?”
“Yes.” He smiled and plumped up a couple of cushions. “But you won’t know what it is unless you get that sexy body of yours over here.” He encouraged her to move by patting the cushions.
Careful not to rock or capsize the boat, Rebecca tentatively moved across and sat between his legs. She loved him so much, and it felt wonderful when he wrapped his strong arms around her waist and rested his chin on top of her head. She heard him breathe in as though ready to speak, and she breathed in, too.
“I can see you’re really happy.” His deep voice rumbled against the back of her head.
“Never more so.”
“Good. I want to talk about our future together, Becca. I thought this would be a good place well away from any interruptions.”
“I wondered why you asked me to leave my cell phone behind. Go ahead, Tyler, I’m all ears.” She so wanted him to ask her to marry him, but she desperately needed to tell him that she couldn’t have children. Her deception had to stop, now, even if it finished their relationship.