Moonlight reflected off the calm waters and several feet away from the bank, next to the white wildflowers that had started to bloom, were several blankets spread out and piled atop one another, creating a comfy-looking sitting area. There were a few pillows and a large cooler. A fire crackled closer to the lake, surrounded by large stones.
There were no words.
The whole setup was exceptionally romantic, sweet, awesome, and so, so perfect that I wondered if I were dreaming. I knew Daemon was capable of surprising me—he always did, but this…? My heart swelled so quickly I was sure I would float away.
“Surprise,” he said, stepping ahead, his back to the fire. “I thought this would be better than a party or whatever. And you like the lake. So do I.”
I blinked back tears. God, I needed to stop crying all the time, especially tonight, because I had loaded my lashes with mascara. “It’s perfect, Daemon. Oh my God, it’s wonderful.”
“Really?” A bit of vulnerability crept into his voice. “You really like it?”
I couldn’t believe he had to ask. “I love it.” And then I started to laugh, which was better than crying. “I really love this.”
Daemon smiled.
I launched myself at him, wrapping my arms and legs around him like a demented monkey-girl.
Laughing, he caught me and didn’t stumble. “You really love it,” he said, walking backward. “I’m glad.”
So many emotions were running through me that I couldn’t settle on one thing, but they were all good. When he put me down, I kicked off my shoes and moved to the blankets. They were soft under my toes, luxurious.
Sitting down, I tucked my legs under me. “What’s in the cooler?”
“Ah, the good stuff.” He flashed out and appeared beside the cooler, kneeling down. He cracked it open, pulled out a bottle of wine and two glasses. “Wine cooler—strawberry. Your favorite.”
I laughed. “Oh my God.”
He popped the cork with some kind of weird alien-mind-Source-Jedi power and poured each of us a glass. I took it and sipped the fizzy liquid. I liked the wine cooler because it didn’t taste like alcohol and I was really a lightweight.
“What else?” I asked, leaning over.
Out came a canister and he carefully peeled the lid off and tilted it toward me. Chocolate-covered strawberries rolled temptingly.
My mouth watered. “Did you make them?”
“Ha. No.”
“Uh…did Dee make them?”
That got a laugh. “I ordered them from the candy shop in town. Try one?”
I did and I think my mouth died and went to heaven. I may’ve even drooled on myself. “They are so good.”
“There’s more.” He pulled out a plastic container full of sliced cheese and crackers. “Also pre-made from the store, because I am not a cook or whatever.”
Who cared how he got the stuff? He did this—this was all him.
There were also cucumber sandwiches and a veggie pizza. Perfect munchie food, and we dug in, laughing and eating while the fire slowly died off.
“When did you do all of this?” I asked, reaching for my fifth or so slice of veggie pizza.
He picked up a strawberry, inspecting it with narrowed eyes. “I had the stuff in the cooler down here and the blankets wrapped in canvas. All I did when we got back was come down here real quick, spread the stuff out, and start the fire.”
I finished off my slice. “You’re amazing.”
“I know it didn’t take you this long to realize that.”
“No. I’ve always known it.” I watched him root around for another strawberry. “Maybe not in the beginning…”
He peeked up. “My awesomeness is all about the stealth.”
“Is it?” The temp had dropped and I huddled closer to Daemon and the dying fire, shivering but not anywhere near ready to head back.
“Uh-huh.” He grinned, closing the bowl and placing the rest of the food back in the cooler. Tossing me a soda, he cleaned everything up. We’d moved on past the wine coolers a while ago. “I can’t show all my dynamic sides at once.”
“Of course not. Where’s the mystery in that?”
He picked up a throw blanket. “There is none.” Draping it over my shoulders, he then settled back down next to me.
“Thank you.” I pulled the soft material close. “I think the general public would be shocked to know how deep your sweetness runs.”
Daemon stretched out, resting on his side. “They can never know.”
Grinning, I leaned forward and kissed his lips. “I’ll take the secret to my grave.”
“Good.” He patted the spot next to him. “We can go back whenever you want.”
“I don’t want to leave.”
“Then get your happy little hybrid butt over here.”
Scooting over the remaining space, I laid down beside him. Daemon moved a pillow down so that it was under my head. Snuggled close to him, it would take an army of Arum to split us apart.
We talked about the dance, school, and even the university in Colorado. We talked well beyond midnight.
“Are you worried about tomorrow at all?” I asked, running the tips of my fingers along the curve of his jaw.
“I’m worried—but I’d be insane not to be.” He kissed my finger when it drifted too close to his lips. “But not about what you think.”
“What, then?” My hand drifted down his neck, over his shirt. He’d taken off the jacket a while ago. His skin was warm and hard underneath the thin material.