6 Surprise-2

"Well, that's a secret. After all, you had asked me to plan your surprise birthday party." Ryan smiled with a twinkle in his eyes. "We don't have much time left to plan an elaborate celebration. However, I wouldn't want a beautiful girl to be alone on her birthday."

Zara blushed. She had worked so hard to avoid boys, worn clothes that always covered her up, wore glasses, and kept her nose buried in books. After her father had left her mother to raise a kid alone, she had resolved to never give away her heart. She was sure if she ever fell in love, her man would leave too.

She had many questions popping up, but she asked, "Who were those men? It seemed like you were having an argument with them." Ryan waved away her concern, "My father has made a lot of enemies in his business. People like to take it out on me sometimes, but I am always prepared."

"Is that why you came to Missouri from San Francisco?"

Ryan raised his eyebrow in mock anger, "It looks like we have a stalker here."

"Blame it on V. She practically mugged up everything she could find about you on the internet."

"And you?"

"What about me?"

"Well, you seem to remember everything she told you about me. And that's saying something."

Zara looked away and said, "So, are we gonna walk towards wherever we are going?"

Ryan chuckled, "No, mam, we are going to drive to a special place."

Ryan pulled the door open of his car and asked her to sit inside. He hopped in the driver's seat and started the ignition. Up until now, they were doing small talk, but now in the enclosed space of the car, Zara felt she was uncomfortably near him. Wanting to fill in the awkward silence, she asked, "So, who all are there in your family?"

"My father and a sister, though they are currently very busy in their respective lives."

"Your mother?"

"She passed away two months ago in an accident." At this sentence, Veronica's words rang in her ears. Ryan has had a tough year, Z.

"I'm sorry." She cursed herself for bringing up the topic and now couldn't think of anything else. Nervous, she began twitching her fingers and adjusting her glasses.

"It's okay; it is a lot less painful now. I believe she is in peace." However, Zara could sense the slight change in Ryan's voice when he spoke. She again failed at her attempt to fill in the awkward silence and heard herself ask, "Do you often take your girlfriends on a long drive?" She cursed herself for implying two things; one -that she was his girlfriend and two -that she cared if he had any."

Ryan gave the ghost of a smile before saying, "I mostly drive alone. Many say my company bores them."

"Well, they are wrong. You are fun."

"Thanks," said Ryan as a lazy smile played on the edge of his lips. Zara stared at him longer than necessary. She couldn't take her eyes off of him; they were fixated on his lips.

"We have arrived."

Ryan asked Zara to close her eyes and guided her to a spot. It was a beautiful lake situated at the foot of two mountains. The moon gleamed in the clear water, and the stars twinkled like tiny spotlights. Ryan asked Zara to open her eyes.

Zara sucked in her breath to see the beautiful scenery lying in front of her, one she hadn't seen before. She and her mother had lived in the city and had never gone on small trips owing to her mother's odd jobs. The best bit they had managed to do was going to the carnival every year, but even that had turned boring after repeated visits.

There was light snow sprinkled on the ground, and her worn-out shoes were slipping on the wet soil. She lost her balance, but Ryan caught her. His hands slid behind her waist, and Zara felt electrified by the touch. He was close, so damn close. He looked even more magnificent up close. His hands were strong and muscular, yet he was surprisingly gentle. Zara gulped down and tore her eyes away from him.

She stated, "Thanks, I am alright," before regaining her posture.

"Hope you like the surprise."

"I love it."

"Wait, there's more."

He gently lifted Zara and placed her on the car's bonnet. Zara shivered delightfully but blamed it on the cold. She was thankful for the cold that could explain the redness in her cheeks. Ryan rummaged inside the small refrigerator in his car and retrieved a champagne bottle along with two glasses. He handed the bottle to Zara and asked her to open it.

Zara asked uncertainly, "Aren't we underage?"

Ryan laughed, revealing his true smile. Zara saw for the first time that his right cheek would sport a dimple when he genuinely laughed. "Well, let's say I am well above age, and you have a perfect reason to spoil yourself. Besides, I won't let you have more than you can handle."

Zara hesitated. She had heard of boys mixing something in a girl's drink and then taking advantage of her. Ryan could sense her apprehension. "I am on my best behavior Zara, if you think I have put something in the drink, let me have a go."

With that, Ryan put the bottle to his lips and began gulping down. Zara stared in fascination as his Adam's apple pulsated under his throat every time he took a sip.

"Hey, leave something for me!" Zara exclaimed and snatched the bottle from him and put it to her lips. She took a sip and immediately coughed. "What the hell is this?"

"It's champagne. You may take no more than a quarter of this tiny glass. Anything more will make your head go fuzzy."

Zara again put the bottle to her lips and drowned in the sensation of her lips, touching the exact same spot where Ryan's had been moments ago. She started gulping down, and Ryan tried to stop her.

"Hey, Zara, stop. Enough."

When she didn't stop, Ryan pulled her closer with one hand and took the bottle from another. The drink had fuzzed her head. "No, let me have it. It's my birthday." She tried to grab the bottle, but Ryan held it away. He pulled her closer and tried to put sense in her.

"Shhh… it's my fault. I shouldn't have gotten the drink. The birthday party is over. Let's get you home."

Zara held his collar and blabbered, "Say my name." She was giggling and felt light-headed.

"Zara, let's go."

"No, call me Z."

"Z," whispered Ryan, and hearing him call her Z melted her bones. "Keep saying it."

"Z, your mom must be worried sick about you."

She wasn't sure why she said the next words, "Kiss me."

Ryan pulled her closer, leaving no space between them. He removed her hairband and ran his fingers through her hair. His breath hitched. His eyes burned with desire, and his muscles were taut with tension.

"I would give anything to kiss you, but now is not the right time, Z."

"Why?"

"Somebody's watching us, and we ought to go." At his words, a dark silhouette that was lurking behind the trees hid itself.

"There's nobody here, Ray. Just you and me."

He shoved her inside the car and drove through many twisted lanes before stopping outside Zara's front porch. Her mother rushed outside at the sound of the car. Ryan tried to help Zara out of the car, but she stumbled, so he put her hand around his neck and took her near the front door.

"It's late. Where have you been with my daughter? Where's Veronica?" Ryan felt the heat in Rose's words and replied politely. "I only took Zara on a long drive after she had an argument with Veronica. I only wanted her to feel special on her birthday. I would never harm your daughter."

"That's for me to decide" Rose took her daughter and went inside before slamming the door on his face. Ryan was walking back towards his car when he saw the dark figure on the rooftop. He looked at it angrily, and the dark figure fled away into the darkness.