Barefoot Kisses (The Kisses 7)

I smiled gratefully as I put the last few things from the meeting away. It was almost unnerving how easily Kathryn could read me. “Thanks. How'd you know what I was thinking?”

“I was there once and remember how desperate I was to follow my dreams.” She held open the conference room door for me. “Just make sure you're ready for the meeting tomorrow. I'll actually need you to take notes next time.”

“Yes, ma'am,” I promised, turning off the light before leaving the room. “I'll be there and ready.”

Kathryn started down the path in the opposite direction of me, but she paused and looked over her shoulder. “Have fun tonight,” she said with a wink. It was very clear she knew exactly what kind of fun she was expecting me to have. I blushed a deep crimson, but she had already turned around and started walking.

I watched her for a moment before turning and heading to my room to put the laptop away for the day. Grinning, I walked faster, already imagining just how good the night was going to be. I clutched the laptop bag to my chest, closing my eyes and feeling the warm sunshine as I thought about Aiden. There was nothing in the world that could ruin this trip.

***

Happiness. I embodied the word. Aiden's hand was warm in mine, holding me close to him. Golden sunlight glinted off the curls of his hair and glimmered in the green and brown depths of his eyes. He walked through the resort as if he owned the place, all calm confidence and charisma. I walked proudly beside him, knowing that every female who saw him wanted to be in my shoes.

He glanced over at me, smiling at what he saw. I blushed, feeling beautiful in his gaze. The way he looked at me made my heart flutter and the space between my legs heat. I loved the way his shirt displayed his broad shoulders and tapered to his narrow waist. He managed to look sexy just walking down the street. If there hadn't been people around, I would have pinned him to a palm tree and had my way with him.

He tugged gently on my hand, pulling me away from the restaurant and toward the beach instead. My light skirt caught the gentle breeze off the ocean and fluttered slightly, threatening to expose me, but I followed him willingly. Ben sat at a small table overlooking the beach reading a newspaper. I nodded respectfully as we passed, earning a slight head bob from him. Aiden ignored him completely.

“Where are we going?” I asked as we stepped off the path and onto the stand. I was glad I had chosen sensible but cute flats as shoes. I didn't have to take them off as long as I didn't kick up too much sand. “I thought we were going to dinner.”

“We are,” he promised, grinning with a secret. His eyes caught the warmth of the tropical sun and sparkled. “Dinner is on the beach.

I beamed back at him as we made our way down the beach. I could see a beautiful white gazebo with a table and chairs waiting for us next to the water. Candles flickered on the table and a bottle of wine stood waiting for our arrival. It was like something out of a magazine.

Aiden hurried over to pull out my chair, holding it for me and even handing me my napkin once I was seated. Chivalry wasn't dead, apparently.

“Wine?” he asked, motioning to the bottle waiting in an ice bucket.

“Yes, please,” I replied eagerly. I wondered just what kind of new wine experience he had planned for me this time.

He uncorked it with ease, handing me the cork as he poured a small amount into a glass. He moved so gracefully, I barely registered the feel of the cork or even the smell because I was entranced by him. He caught me watching and smiled. A delightful warmth settled in the pit of my stomach that was better than any wine.

I picked up the glass of wine and swirled, watching the clear liquid inside. It was a white with legs similar to the wine I had the last time. “It smells sweet, like peaches.”

He nodded, pleased with his pupil. “Try it.”

I closed my eyes and took a small sip, letting the flavors coat my tongue. “It's bubbly and sweet like grape juice. There's no bite at the end at all—it's almost like drinking candy.”

“Do you like it?” Even without opening my eyes, I could feel his hopeful gaze upon me. He had chosen this wine specifically for me.

“I love it.” I opened my eyes, smiling as I dove into his. “What is it?”

He smiled wide, proud of choosing something I liked. “It's a moscato from Australia. I thought you might like it. It's sweet like you.”

“You thought right,” I said, taking a second, larger sip before handing him my glass for more. He filled my glass as well as his before sitting. Everything was beautiful. The white gauzy fabric of the gazebo floated lazily on the soft breeze, far from the gentle flicker of the candle flames. The ocean provided the background music, a soft murmur punctuated with cries from seagulls in the distance. “This is amazing, by the way. Thank you.”

“You deserve it,” he stated, sipping on his wine and loo

king very pleased with himself. He had certainly outdone every expectation I could have ever had for a romantic dinner, and the food hadn't even come out yet.

“Aiden...” I bit my lip as he looked up at me. I felt terrible complaining about such a wonderful gift like this, but it was too much. This couldn't have been cheap, especially on an assistant's salary. I had to say something. Maybe if we left early he could get a portion of his money back. “You really didn't have to do this. I mean, it's fantastic and beautiful, but it's too much.”

“Is there something wrong with it?” He frowned, glancing at the ornate silverware and candles. “There was an option for an indoor version, but-”

“No, there's nothing wrong with it,” I cut him off. “It's just that this couldn't have been covered by the all-inclusive part of this resort. I don't know what you paid, but it was too much just to impress me. You've already impressed me.”

Aiden stared at me for a moment as if I were speaking a foreign language and then started to laugh. “Lena, you're amazing.”

I opened my mouth, but I couldn't find anything to say. I was certainly not expecting to be called amazing for telling him that he didn't need to spend this much on me. “How in the world does me telling you that make me amazing?”