The only thing I could hear was my heart racing like I’d just run a marathon.
My mouth went dry and I forced the words out of my mouth.
Trying like hell to swallow, I finally formed words. “Wh-what did you . . . what did you lie about?”
Her eyes snapped open. God, how I loved this girl. Even with her eyes bloodshot red, she still caused my breath to catch.
“I don’t like baklava!”
Wait. What did she say?
Shaking my head, I leaned in closer to her. “What?”
Her head moved from side to side. “I know! I feel terrible about it. I tried. Oh, God I tried so hard, but every time I eat it I want to gag!”
With a smile on my face, I pushed a piece of loose wavy hair behind her ear. When her lip jetted out in a pout, I fell in love with her even more.
“What’s your favorite thing to do?”
With a furrowed look, she whispered, “What?”
“Your favorite thing to do with me. Tell me what it is right now.”
Her face turned upright into a smile. “When we drive up to the cabin with the windows down and the radio blaring.”
“I never would have done that before you, Kilyn. You changed my life. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you. I’d jump out of a damn airplane if I thought it would make you happy. I’d rather die than have you walk out of my life. Please say you’ll stay with me. Please.”
Her tears started up again and I wiped them away with my thumbs.
“What about your—”
Placing my lips to hers, I kissed her. I needed her to feel how much I loved her. How there wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her and that our love would get us through anything.
When I pulled back, I rested my forehead to hers. “I had plans for us tonight. Let me take you out. We’ll forget about my family, Greek food, all of it. It’s only you and me tonight.”
Stepping back, I placed my finger on her chin and lifted her eyes to mine.
“Will you go on a date with me tonight?”
With a slight nod, she smiled. “Yes.”
My body instantly relaxed. After this, the rest of the night was going to be a piece of cake.
THANO’S EYES WERE filled with love as he looked into mine.
“Will you go on a date with me tonight?”
My stomach dipped as I responded with, “Yes.”
His body relaxed and I hated that my insecurities caused him stress. I wanted so badly to feel like I was a part of his family, but after today I wasn’t sure I ever would be.
“Come on, let’s go put your suitcase up and get changed.”
I probably looked like a mess with all the crying.
Gesh. What was happening to me? I never cried like this.
Thano grabbed my suitcase and took my hand as he pulled me to the bedroom. The only thing I really wanted to do was fall into bed with him and get lost in his eyes.
“Dress warm. We’ll be outside. Oh, and wear jeans and sneakers.”
My interest was piqued as I lifted my eyebrows. “Okay. Are you going to tell me where we are going?”
With a smirk, he simply winked and pulled a sweatshirt over his head. My lower stomach pulled with desire as I watched him run his hand through his hair.
“Don’t look at me like that, ladybug. Come on, get dressed.”
I did as he asked and quickly changed. Freshening up my makeup, I made sure to apply waterproof mascara. I had no idea what we would be doing, so I put on thermals as well as a long-sleeve shirt. I’d take my jacket and gloves also, just in case.
“Pack a small bag as well. I think we’ll spend a few days up at the cabin if you’re able to.”
My heart soared. I loved going to the cabin. It held such amazing memories for me. After all, it was there we made love for the first time. We didn’t go up there as often as we wanted to, so I jumped at the chance to go. It was just what I needed to clear my head.
“I have a design to do, but I can bring it with me.”
By the time we got to Thano’s truck, my heart was beating like a racehorse. We never took his sports car up to the cabin. Not after the tree fell on it.
Opening the door for me, he smiled as I slipped into his car. Leaning in, he kissed me on the lips. “Ready for some fun?”
With a giggle, I nodded my head. “Totally ready! Do I get a hint?”
He laughed and tapped the tip of my nose. “Nope.”
Shutting the door, I watched him walk around the front of the truck. Even though my head was spinning, I still wasn’t sure if this would all work out, I couldn’t ignore how much I loved this man. I’d never really loved anyone besides my parents, Claire, and her parents.