Sadie
I didn’t want to stop. I wanted to push him over the edge, so I defiantly kept going.
With a growl, he finally gripped my hair and held my head still. Moving back, he slipped himself from my mouth, and I looked up at him, ready to protest.
The words died on my tongue. The need blazing in his eyes stole my breath.
“Stand up,” he growled.
I did. He immediately picked me up into his arms. I let out a surprised squeak.
“Cyrus…” I gasped.
“You’ve got me all worked up,” he said, turning to my bed. “Now you’ve got to deal with it.”
I let out a laugh and clutched his shoulders to bring him in for a kiss. He laid me on the bed and followed me down onto it, and we lost ourselves to each other once again.
***
The next few days passed much like that first one after our encounter in the library. As I went about my day, Cyrus would flirt with and tease me. We were careful not to do anything in front of Megan. I understood why we were keeping our blossoming romance from her, but there was a part of me that couldn’t wait to tell her. I wanted Cyrus and I to figure out what we were, but I also didn’t want to put any pressure on our relationship while it was still forming. I knew I needed to be patient, but it wasn’t the easiest thing to do when he was sneaking me hungry looks and dangerous smiles.
At the end of each day, Cyrus would come to my room, and we would make love. Those moments when it was just the two of us wrapped in each other’s arms were so magical, some mornings I would wake up and wonder if it had all been a dream.
Our relationship grew each day, and it was both thrilling and intimidating. It went beyond the physical…at least for me. I was beginning to picture a life with Cyrus, and I wanted it so badly that there were moments I was terrified I’d never actually have it. I could admit to myself that I was falling for him, and that fact only added to my anxiety about the state of things between us. I wanted to ask him what we were so badly, but I was also very nervous that if I said anything, I’d freak him out and he’d stop everything.
I didn’t know what to do. I felt torn between complete and utter happiness and stomach-twisting worry. If I could just get the smallest bit of reassurance that this wasn’t just a fling for him, it would go a long way to helping me feel better.
Almost a week into our situation, I found myself hurrying to my room, eager to be with Cyrus, who I was sure was already waiting for me. To my surprise, I found him standing outside my door.
He wore dark slacks and a blue dress shirt. I frowned and came to a stop in front of him.
“What are you doing?” I asked, suspicions rising.
He grinned at me. “I have a surprise for you.”
“Oh?” I arched a brow. “What kind of surprise?”
He reached out his hand, and I gave him mine. Our fingers intertwined, and he brought my hand to his lips to kiss along my knuckles.
“Come with me,” he said.
I wasn’t certain where he was taking me, but I let him lead me away from my bedroom door. We made our way downstairs and then toward the back of the house. We continued out to the large garden, which was surrounded by perfectly trimmed hedges. There was a variety of flowers, bushes, and trees artfully arranged and cared for. I loved the garden. It was one of my favorite places on the property.
“Cyrus, what are we doing?” I asked with a laugh.
“Just give me a sec,” he replied with a teasing wink.
I rolled my eyes and chuckled, but I continued to let him lead me deeper and deeper into the garden.
We rounded a collection of rose bushes and came upon a patch of grass alongside the path. I came to a sudden stop when I saw a blanket had been spread out and that there was a picnic basket resting on top of it.
Gasping, I asked, “What is this?”
“Surprise,” Cyrus chuckled. “I know we can’t exactly go on real dates right now, but I wanted to treat you to something special. Something a little romantic.”
I gave him an excited smile. “There you go again, being all sweet and romantic. No one could have seen this coming.”
He laughed and tugged on my hand to bring me to the blanket.
“I am a complicated man, sweetheart,” he said as we both sat. The sun was beginning to set, casting the whole garden into a warm, golden glow. “I have many layers, and few people ever get to see all of them.”
“So, you’re saying I’m special?” I teased.
He gave me a heated look and leaned closer to me until his lips were a breath away from mine.
“You are special,” he assured me. “You have no idea how special you are, Sadie.”
The assuredness in his tone caught me momentarily off guard. I hadn’t expected him to be so blunt and honest with his response.
“Uh…I see,” I murmured, glancing away, my cheeks heating.
Cyrus cupped the side of my face and turned me back to him. He leaned in and kissed me softly.
When he pulled back, my eyes were hooded, and I felt as though I were floating.
“We should eat before we get too carried away,” he said with a small, crooked grin.
I nodded, feeling as though I was in a haze.
“That’s a good idea,” I murmured.
His smile widened as he turned from me to drag the picnic basket closer. He unpacked meats, cheese, nuts, and fruits, setting up a gorgeous charcuterie board for us. There was also a bottle of wine. He opened it and poured us each a glass. He handed me the drink and then tapped his glass to mine.
“Cheers,” he said with a wink.
I smiled and took a long sip of the wine. It was a smooth, robust red with notes of dark chocolate and raspberries.
“How is it?” Cyrus asked me.
“Delicious,” I told him.
We proceeded to enjoy the food and wine together as the sun set and the stars came out above us. There were soft lights along the garden path that illuminated our picnic, but they didn’t take away from the romantic atmosphere of the warm night.
Soon, we were halfway through the bottle, and I felt relaxed and just the smallest bit tipsy.
“This is so lovely,” I said, giving Cyrus a tender smile. “Thank you.”
“I know things between us haven’t exactly been ideal,” he replied before picking up a piece of cheese and popping it in his mouth. He chewed and swallowed before continuing, “If things were calmer, I’d woo you properly.”
“You’d woo me?” I giggled. “Do people still say that?”
He grinned. “Only the most romantic people.”