Page 170 of Stolen Moments

“Where are we headed to?” She tilts her head, trying to get a read on me. She’s cute.

I lead her to the car as a devious smile pulls at my mouth. Now, it’s my turn to torture her. “That’s a surprise.”

I open the car door for her and watch her slide into the passenger seat. Her coat is open, giving me the perfect view of her cleavage as I slam the door shut. I slip into the driver’s seat and turn to face her, reaching across her chest to grab the seatbelt. I buckle her in, and her breath hitches as my fingers graze her chest and thigh in the process.

Emery turns her head, bringing us nose to nose, the urge to kiss her coursing through me.

Not yet, baby doll.

“For this next part, I’m going to need you to trust me. Do you think you can do that?”

She stares into my eyes, and I’m tempted to turn my request into an order, using the bossy tone I know drives her wild.

I don’t have to when she gives me a slight nod, agreeing.

The nervous tension in my shoulders is replaced with elation at her willingness to put her faith in me. Reaching into the back seat, I grab the silk tie and hold it up for her. “I’m going to need you to wear this over your eyes for the next twenty minutes.”

“Mason—”

“I know it’s a big ask, but I promise it will be worth it.”

She bites her lip, considering her options.

I get it. I’m not sure I’d be so willing myself, but I want—no, need—her to choose this.

“Please,” I beg.

“Okay. I’ll do it. I trust you.”

“You won’t regret it.”

“I know.”

As promised, twenty minutes later, I lead Emery into the dimly lit room I have reserved for tonight. I also paid an extra fee to have it set up with our dinner and a bottle of wine.

“Can I take this off now?” Emery asks, bouncing on her toes, her fingers brushing the soft fabric covering her eyes.

“Let me.” I stand behind her, pressing my chest to her back, and carefully undo my tie at the back of her head so as not to pull her hair.

The blindfold falls, and I watch as she blinks, adjusting to the light. My anxiety gets the best of me as she silently takes in the room.

“I know it’s not exactly where we had our first date, but I wanted to recreate a part of it. Do you like it?”

I tried to get us tickets to Reel Eats again, but it didn’t work out this time around. Instead, I came up with the next best thing and rented out the theater’s small screening room, where they hold birthday parties. It’s small and the perfect size for an intimate date.

A slow smile spreads across her face. “I love it.”

“Really?”

She nods, throwing her arms around me. “Yes. It’s perfect.” Twining her finger through mine, she leads me to the table where the food is set up. “Tell me what you have picked out.”

Her giddiness soothes the ache in my stomach that has been building up since she shut down yesterday. I feared she wouldn’t be receptive to coming out with me after how we left things. But her clear excitement at what I have planned has me puffing out my chest like a damn ape.

“Tonight’s delectable menu starts off with some deliciously buttery popcorn and candy of your choice.” I wave my hand around the table, and she giggles.I finally did something right. “Followed by pepperoni pizza and nachos that will be served with a glass of your favorite sauvignon blanc.”

“I didn’t know they let you have wine here.”

“They don’t. I had to slip the manager sixty bucks under the table for him to agree, and a promise that we’d take the evidence when we leave.”

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