He's the Man (The Alexanders 3)

He’d never felt so blessed.

The coffee maker made a soft spluttering sound as it percolated, and the scent of bacon was still heavy in the air. Breakfast was his favorite meal of the day and he was anxious to share it with Penny. He’d gotten up early just so he could fix her bacon and eggs before he drove her to see her surprise.

He soft-scrambled a few eggs and then dumped them on a paper plate. Eli didn’t have a breakfast tray, so he’d improvised by using a large serving platter instead. A few slices of bacon and a cup of coffee later, he carried it all upstairs and into the master bedroom.

Penny was still asleep facedown, the covers twisted around her legs.

“Wake up, beautiful.” He placed the tray gently on the nightstand and then climbed back in bed.

As soon as his head hit the pillow, Penny rolled over and plastered herself against him. He pulled her onto his chest. Then he slapped her on the ass playfully.

“Oh my god, it’s so early.”

“I know, but I brought you a peace offering. Coffee, two sugars, and scrambled eggs.”

Her head popped up. “Did you say coffee?”

They set the tray in bed between them and Penny let out a sigh of delight at the first sip of coffee.

“Are you always going to be this nice? I could get used to this.”

“You like that, huh? You’ll have to take care of dinner most nights, but I can do breakfast.”

“Fair enough. So is there a reason you’re so chipper this morning? Because if you’re going to wake me at the butt crack of dawn every day then I might have to reconsider this arrangement.”

Matt leaned over to steal a kiss. “I wouldn’t disturb your precious sleep without a good reason. I have a surprise for you.” He glanced at the clock on the nightstand. “We need to get going, actually. Like right now.”

“Going? I need to take a shower and put on makeup.”

He kissed her on the tip of her nose. “You are gorgeous without makeup. Those freckles get me every time.”

She rolled her eyes and put her cup down on the nightstand. “Flattery will not sway me. The last time I went out without makeup, I ended up talking to your friends for an hour with hair that looked like it had been put through a wood chipper. I need to shower.”

After rushing through the quickest shower possible, they were dressed and walking out to his truck.

“Okay, turn around.”

She eyed the blindfold with trepidation but finally allowed him to wind it gently around her head. There was a good chance she wouldn’t figure out what he was up to even if she saw where they were going. However, he thought it added a little mystery to things.

He headed for the highway and then they were on their way. Air rushed through the open windows, bathing them with the moist, cool air of spring. Penny laughed and turned her face into the wind. It was a sound that came from deep in her belly and went straight to Matt’s heart. It was a sound of pure joy.

Northern Virginia was not only a center of military activity, it also boasted several private airfields. His buddy Shep had called in a few favors so he could pull this off. He only hoped Penny didn’t think he’d gone too far.

He parked and tugged gently on the scarf at the back of Penny’s head. Once it was off, she blinked in the light. He could tell when she finally figured out where they were.

“Where are we?” She turned around and stared at the row of small planes behind them.

“We’re in Warrenton, Virginia.”

“Are we going somewhere?” Penny looked puzzled.

“That’s up to you. I have a buddy who flies here. He’s taken people up for tandem jumps before.”

Her eyes widened. “Tandem jumps? You aren’t serious.”

It was now or never. Matt figured he’d better talk fast before she ran away screaming. “I want to give you something more personal than flowers or chocolates. I don’t have a lot of money, and I’m not sophisticated like that other guy.” He scowled at the thought.

Penny grabbed his hand and squeezed. “I like you exactly the way you are.”