Suprise

"Hmm…" I answer.

"I need some verbal communication, baby," he chuckles.  "I need to know that you're okay."

"I'm fine."  I open my eyes and gaze up into his beautiful face.  My hand glides up his tattooed arm, over his shoulder, and I run my fingertips down his stubbled cheek.  "More than fine," I add.

"You didn't tell me to stop," he murmurs.

"I might have killed you if you stopped."

"I didn't hurt you?" he asks, his gray eyes worried and searching mine.

"Stop worrying about hurting me, ace.  I'm not made of glass.  You didn't hurt me."  I kiss him gently, then bite his lower lip and lave it with the flat of my tongue.  "I think I have a new taste for being tied up."  I smile up at him shyly and he laughs.

"I think I have a new taste for tying you up," he responds with a delighted grin.

"What are we doing this weekend?" I ask with a yawn.

"It's a surprise."

"Can I have a hint?"  Damn, he wore me the hell out.  I can't keep my eyes open.

"We're not staying here," he responds and snuggles me more firmly against him.

"Where are we going?" I whisper.

"You'll find out tomorrow.  Go to sleep, sweetheart."  He kisses my forehead and I fall into a restful sleep.

***

"You don't need to bring all of this crap."  Nate and I are standing in his bedroom with my suitcase open on the bed.

"Are you going to tell me where we're going?" I ask, hands on my hips.

"No."

"Then I need all this crap."  I glare at him, secretly delighted with him, and enjoy the view.  He's pulled his hair back, is wearing a white t-shirt under a black sweater and dark blue jeans.  His arms are crossed over his chest, making his biceps flex.

Yum.

"Julianne, I want to take the bike."

"Okay, tell me where we're going and I'll downsize my stuff."

"I'm not telling you where we're going."

"Then how do I know what I need?  Let's take the car.  It's called compromise, ace."

He sighs, rubs his face with his hands in exasperation, and glares at me when he sees my smile.

"Why are you grinning?"

"Because you're hot when you're frustrated with me."

Nate chuckles and shakes his head.  "Fine, bring all your shit.  We'll take the Mercedes."

"See?  That wasn't so hard."  I tap his cheek playfully as I walk past him to the bathroom to gather my toiletries.

"Wait, you have more shit to pack?"

"Yep," I call over my shoulder.

"Jesus," he mutters and I laugh.

"Okay," I shove everything in my suitcase and zip it up.  "I'm ready."

Nate picks up his overnight bag, which is much smaller and weighs far less than my bag, grabs the handle of my rolling suitcase with his other hand, and ushers me out of the room.

"Let's go."