“Same terms apply?” It’s not lost on me that he’s offering an escape clause.
“Sure,” I mumble. My heart causes a ruckus with its furious beat. He presses against me, no doubt able to feel the truth in addition to hearing my words.
Reeve’s gaze searches mine, almost frantically. Will he discover what’s waiting for him to find? “I want us to have a loophole.”
I furrow my brow at his vague admission. “Why don’t you make one?”
His head jerks sharply. “It isn’t possible.”
“Or you didn’t look hard enough.” I feel like we’re speaking in riddles, yet the answer is right in front of us.
“And you make giving in more impossible to resist.”
I struggle to take a decent breath. Why discuss this now? And in my classroom of all places? “Maybe we can consider alternatives after I get back.”
“Such as?” His lips tease mine with the prompt.
He brought this up, yet he wants me to leap first? That’s fine. I yank on my big-girl panties with a huff. “Feelings are getting involved. There’s no denying it. Our chemistry and connection are only getting stronger. We’re supposed to bow out if that happens, but I don’t want this to end, not yet at least. It might be smart for both of us if we did, but I can’t see myself willingly cutting ties early.”
“Before you’re set to leave?”
“Right,” I confirm. Although, that deadline now has a hollow connotation. I’ve looked forward to June fifteenth for so long that it’s lost meaning. Or something else has replaced it entirely.
He smooths a thumb along my jaw. “New year, fresh outlook?”
“I like the sound of that.” I nuzzle into his touch.
Reeve nods, taking a step back. “Need a hand hauling stuff outside?”
I peek at my overflowing pile. “That’d be great.”
He grabs the box and two bags, making it possible to take a single trip. Once we get everything situated in my trunk, Reeve exudes blasts of sizzling intensity that almost make me stagger.
“Can I take you somewhere?”
I spread my feet to remain upright. “Do I ever refuse?”
He sweeps an arm to his truck, striding over to prop open the passenger side for me. “Your chariot awaits.”
We don’t go far. After pulling onto Main Street, Reeve cruises to the opposite end and hangs a right onto a narrow lane. The drive is plowed, steep piles of accumulated snow lining both edges. We pull up in front of a barn that stands tall and proud all on its own. From the exterior, it’s safe to assume this is a regular farm building.
I hike a brow at the seemingly average building. “What’s this?”
“You’ll see.” He hops out, rounds the hood, and offers me a hand to step down from the lifted cab. “Close your eyes, babe.”
My trust in him has been reaffirmed tenfold, so I allow my lashes to flutter closed instantly. “So mysterious.”
He leads me over the snowy ground, our footsteps crunching in the silence. After a reeling creak, we hit a wall of warmth while stepping onto smooth flooring.
Reeve gives my arm a gentle squeeze. “Okay, take a peek.”
My inhale sputters to an abrupt halt from the sight before me. The inside appears to have been renovated into a concert venue of sorts. A wide stage extends across the entire rear wall. Wooden benches and booths frame two sides, leaving the center open, most likely for dancing. But none of that snags my attention for more than a moment.
Strung up over the exposed beams in the ceiling and along every pillar are thousands of twinkling lights. I stare, wonder whirling in my brain. The sight is so stunning that I drop my gaze to avoid shedding tears. Heat stings my eyes regardless, and I rub at the burn.
Reeve weaves his fingers between mine. “Merry Christmas, babe.”
“What is this place?” I repeat.
He guides us deeper into the main space. “Bam’s version of a banquet hall, I suppose. I rented it out for the night and added some personal touches to make it special.”
The threat of waterworks begins anew as pressure builds in my nose. “Just for us?”
“Yep.”
I can’t miss the smug satisfaction in his voice. “But I didn’t get you anything. We agreed to no gifts,” I whine.
Gabby wasn’t lying about this man’s mad skills at giving exceptional presents.
Reeve shrugs. “This is for both of us.”
“I’m not sure that’s any better,” I mumble. I nod at the empty stage. “Is someone going to sing for us?”
“That’s another surprise,” he hints and clamps down on his bottom lip.
“There’s more? What did I do to deserve such pampering?”
His kiss is tender and worthy of this fairy-tale location. “Just by being you.”
And of course he raises the stakes further. Damn, he’s good. As if I weren’t already fully sunk in his baby-blue depths and country swagger. Then I remember what else he said. I clap a hand over my mouth while bouncing in place. “Oh, oh. Is it Jason Aldean?”
And will he take requests?
Reeve bursts into laughter then sobers at the expectant expression beaming on my face. “You’re serious?”
“Yes?” My megawatt grin dims a tad around the edges.
He traces the brim of his hat. “Do you honestly believe I could convince a famous musician to play a solo concert in Bampton Valley, Iowa?”
Hearing my thoughts from his mouth makes it sound ludicrous, but backing down seems like a wimpy version of quitting. “Um, maybe?”
“Your confidence in me is sexy as fuck.”
I give a little bow. “Well, thank you.”
He shoves his hands deep in his pockets. “Sorry to disappoint, babe. He’s not who you’re gonna hear.”
“Tell me,” I plead.
“How about I show you?”
I attempt to peek around the curtains for a clue. “Well, okay. I do appreciate you drawing out the suspense.”
When Reeve hops onto the stage, I’m certain he’s heading over to alert our guest of honor to begin the show. Then he picks up
