her a small carrier bag lined with red and black tissue paper. “Mr. Fox requested me to give this to you with his sincerest apologies for not picking you up in person.”
“Did he, now?” Angela muttered under her breath as Josh opened the door for her. “Thanks, Josh.”
A small card was waiting for her as she slipped into the now-familiar interior. One single honeysuckle was lying across it. She couldn’t help but smile as she opened the card.
Can’t wait to see you, beautiful…
Angela held the honeysuckle up to her nose and inhaled deeply. She had no idea how he’d known this was her favorite flower. She didn’t even know how she felt about him anymore. What she did know, however, was that it was no longer a mere crush. It was so much more than that no matter how much she tried to deny it. It was a dangerous game that she couldn’t - and didn’t want to - get out of.
The limousine pulled alongside the beach and she thanked the driver as he opened the door for her. She could see Dimitri’s BMW in the distance. Swinging her towel and blanket across her wrist, she awkwardly fished in her purse for her compact mirror. She was smoothing down a few strands of stray hair when a familiar husky voice whispered in her ear.
“There’s really no need for that, you know. You always look gorgeous.”
Muscular arms wrapped themselves around her from behind. She closed her eyes, savoring the sensation as he rested his chin on her head, his fingers interlocking with hers over her stomach. The sun was just starting to set, bathing the beach in golden pink hues that were slowly paling into lavender. Waves crashed against the shore, echoing loudly on the twilight-tinted sand.
“Hi,” he whispered, nuzzling his cheek to hers.
She swirled around and quickly kissed him. “Hi, yourself.”
“I can see that your mood has improved,” he commented, taking her beach bag and towel as they walked closer to the shoreline.
“You think?” She said dryly. “Aren’t you overdressed for the beach?”
Dimitri tugged self-consciously at his collar. “Yeah. I didn’t want to be late so I came straight from the meeting.” He held up a picnic basket that looked very out of place on his muscular forearm. “I did bring refreshments, though.”
Angela smiled as he spread the blanket on the fine sand and sat down against a large piece of driftwood. She sat between his legs, resting the back of her head against his chest as they watched the sunset.
“It’s beautiful,” Angela whispered, lacing her fingers through his as she watched the sun sinking slowly behind the watery horizon.
“Not more than you.” He nuzzled his cheek to hers.
Angela smiled. “That’s such a cliché. Hey!” She cried, giggling when he wrapped both arms around her waist, effortlessly lifting and turning her body until she was facing him.
Dimitri opened the picnic basket and took out two champagne glasses. He opened a bottle and filled both glasses before retrieving some chocolate-covered strawberries from the basket.
“Allow me,” he whispered, guiding a plump strawberry to her lips.
Angela moaned at the sweet, tangy taste. He reached for his wine and took a deep gulp but didn’t swallow it. Instead, he grabbed the back of his head and pressed his mouth to hers, allowing the gloriously dry fluid to flow into her mouth.
“Mmm…” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Champagne never tasted so amazing