Page 216

She had no idea of the night he had in store for her. “Is that it? Our whole date?”

“No, I just meant so far, it’s been amaz—more exhilarating than any other date. Ever.”

He pulled her in close. “You can say‘amazing,’ Kat.” He brushed her hair from her shoulder, feeling her heartbeat quicken against his and loving the way she clung to him. “I just want to be sure that when you’re in the moment of doing the things you want to experience, you allow yourself to fully engage, on every level. Using every sense. Most people float through life on the surface, and it’s a richer experience if you allow yourself to take it apart layer by layer.”

“Layer by layer,” she said just above a whisper. “Now I’m thinking about using all of those senses in a different way.”

“Oh, we will. Like now, holding you in my arms. Your perfume fills my lungs, and I can taste, just from memory, your mouth on mine. The rapid beat of the pulse at the base of your neck underscores the feel of your heart beating fast and hardagainst mine. The press of your fingers on my back sends signals through my body, arousing all of my senses.” He pressed his lips to hers, taking a tender taste of what he hoped was yet to come. “Let yourself go to fully experience every aspect of everything you do.”

He lowered his lips to her neck and kissed her just below her ear. “The fear,” he whispered, then kissed the hollow of her neck. “The anticipation.” He pressed his cheek to hers, tightening his hold on her, letting her feel the effect she had on him. “The allure of the unknown.”

He felt her holding her breath and whispered, “Breathe, Kat. Let yourself feel.”

As he sealed his lips over hers in another, hotter kiss, it took every bit of his strength not to let his desire take over. He wanted everything with her, but mostly, tonight, he wanted her trust and for her to experience new and exciting things in life to help her understand how special she was. When their lips parted, they gazed into each other’s eyes, passion burning between them.

“You gave me one more night, and I intend to take advantage of every second of it.” He took her hand in his and led her out of the gates to the emergency-landing field behind the track, where his helicopter was waiting.

She stopped cold at the sight of it. “A helicopter?”

“Just to get us to dinner.”

“Dinner?” She tightened her grip on his hand. “I don’t like to fly in planes. What makes you think I’ll get in that whirling death machine?”

He smiled, sensing her strength beneath her fear. “You have complete control over what we do. If you say no, we’ll take the rental car to a restaurant. But if you trust me, I think you’ll see there’s no fear you can’t overcome.”

“But…it’s night, and we’re in the mountains.”

He pulled her in close again. “Both true facts. And the place we’re going to eat is on top of a mountain a few minutes away. This is a quicker means of travel and an easier way to face your fears. It’s all about the experience.”

“Are you trying to woo me with your money? Because I don’t care about money.” She crossed her arms.

“As much as that accusation stings, I understand why it might look that way. But the answer is no. I’m trying towooyou into seeing that you and I are made of the same stuff. I know all about fears, Kat. I know about running from them and overcoming them.” He paused, letting the truth of his confession sink in.

“I want to be the one to help you overcome yours, all of them. Kat, as far as I know, I have one more night to show you who I am. Not who the media sees, or who people think I am. I debated taking you to a low-key restaurant with champagne and dancing with the rest of Weston, Colorado. There is some allure in that. I get it. But that wouldn’t show you a damn thing about me. It would only prove that I know how to play the dating game, and with you, this doesn’t feel like a game. It feels real.”

He let out a breath and rubbed the back of his neck, trying to figure out how to explain what was going on inside him. But it was all so new that he had no idea where to begin.

She eyed the helicopter. “You really feel safe in that?”

“Always. Safety is my number one concern. And I hired my pilot tonight so that I could make sure you felt safe, too. I could have piloted it myself, but I want to be right there beside you in case you need me.”

Her gaze softened. “You did?”

“Yes. I’m not trying to impress you, or buy your affection, Kat. If I were, I’d have hired a limo to take us to the most expensive restaurant, bought the most expensive bottle of wine, and given you cheesy lines. I could have any number of women,just like you could have any number of men—which I’m totallynotthinking about. And before you ask, I’ve never taken any woman up in my helicopter before.” He looked deeply into her eyes, hoping she’d see the sincerity in them.

“The truth is, I want you to fall for me for who I am inside. And a big part of who I am happens to be a guy who desperately wants to help you overcome your fears so you can enjoy life the way I do.”

She sighed, as if she liked hearing that. “Thank you for thinking of me like that. That means a lot to me.”

“Hopefully one dayIwill mean a lot to you, too.”

KAT COULDN’T BELIEVEshe was even considering getting into the helicopter. But with Eric’s arms around her, and the protective way he looked at her, like he’d never let anything hurt her, along with what he said about experiencing life, she wanted to do this. And surprisingly, not just for herself, but for him, too. She saw in his eyes the same conviction she’d seen when he was talking about helping families through his foundation, and she loved knowing that it brought him pleasure to help her.

“You can say no, Kat, but if you give it a chance, you might enjoy it. It’s like driving fast, only a hundred times better, and I’ll be right there, holding you every step of the way. Not that you’ll need it. You’re stronger than you think.”

She inhaled a deep breath, gathering her courage. “You have to know that I’m scared shitless again.”

“The choice is yours, and I won’t be disappointed either way.” He caressed her cheek and softened his tone. “But you were scared shitless to drive the stick shift and you made that car your bitch.”