Giving My All to You

“Thank you.” She moved back so he could enter. He bent and placed a soft kiss on her lips and his nearness sent a flurry of sensations down her spine. “I just need to get my purse.”

He nodded, still staring at her. His gaze followed her every move and when she came back, he gestured her toward the door.

Brandon escorted her out to his car and helped her in. After getting in and pulling out of the lot and onto the road, he said, “I thought we’d go to Chart House in Marina Del Rey. They serve seafood, steaks, chicken…”

“Sounds good and I’m starving.” Faith hadn’t eaten a big lunch in anticipation of dinner. She made herself comfortable for the ride and watched the passing scenery. With the traffic the drive took nearly forty minutes.

The hostess seated them in the outside area of the upscale waterfront restaurant and, at Brandon’s request, Faith shared more about her visit with her father while they dined on peach-bourbon-glazed scallops and shrimp, and prime rib.

“He must have been surprised and happy to see you.”

“He was.” She thought about their emotional reunion    .

Brandon reached for her hand and pointed toward the water.

They sat in silence, watching as the sun set in a blaze of orange and reds across the sky. “It’s amazing.” And so was he. How many men would be content to sit and enjoy the simple pleasure of a sunset?

“I agree.” Their eyes met. “Stunning.”

The intensity of his stare told her he meant more than the sunset. She gently withdrew her hand and resumed eating.

When they finished, he settled the bill and asked, “Would you like to take a walk?”

“I’d love to.” Because they were close to the water, the temperatures had dipped and a slight breeze had kicked up.

He entwined their fingers and they strolled off. He stopped a ways down the path and faced her. For a moment, he said nothing, seemingly struggling with what he wanted to say.

“What is it?”

“I can show you better than I can tell you,” Brandon whispered and lowered his head.

Faith clung to his muscular shoulders as he plundered her mouth. He eased her closer and she felt every inch of his hard frame pressed against her. She moaned softly.

At length, he lifted his head. Still gifting her with fleeting kisses along her jaw and the shell of her ear, he murmured, “We should probably head out before we really give these folks a show.” But he didn’t stop.

“Brandon.” His name came out on a breathless whisper.

“Yeah, baby. I know.”

Hearing him call her “baby” made her heart skip a beat. She briefly fantasized about how it would be if she were his. This had been one of the most romantic evenings she had ever experienced. When it came time for her to return home, she would have this night with Brandon as one of her treasured memories.

He kissed her once more, took her hand and retraced their steps to the car.

Faith’s body hummed with desire. She clasped her hand in her lap, squeezed her thighs together and drew in several calming breaths. Goodness, he had only kissed her. What would happen if he did more? She shivered.

“Cold?”

“No. I’m fine.”

“Is there any type of music you’d like to listen to? I should have asked on the drive here.”

“What you’re playing is nice.” A midtempo soul groove flowed through the speakers. There was still a fair amount of traffic on the streets. “I don’t know how you deal with traffic all the time. It’s after eight o’clock.”

Brandon laughed. “It’s gotten really bad in the last decade or so, but I’ve lived here my whole life, so…” He shrugged.

Faith shook her head. “Our traffic is bad, but nothing like this.”

He slanted her an amused glance. “Actually, this isn’t bad. We’re moving steadily, made most of the lights so far and I haven’t gone below thirty miles per hour.”

She burst out laughing. “Wow. Okay. I guess I’d better be quiet before I jinx us.”

They got caught at the very next light and Brandon turned her way. “See, you messed up my groove.”

She tried to look contrite, but couldn’t stop laughing. She was still chuckling when they arrived back at the hotel.