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I never even asked how he managed to book an entire restaurant as well as the movie theater. I can’t even imagine what it must’ve cost him.

Deep down, I know he isn’t doing it to impress me or show off. It’s him simply being thoughtful and spoiling me.

Even if he hadn’t, I’d still be as smitten and obsessed with him as I already am.

I open my mouth to offer splitting tonight’s expenses, but he reads my mind like an expert and steels his expression sternly.

“You aren’t paying for anything,” he softly commands. “Call me old-fashioned, but if I’m takingmywoman out, I’m paying.”

Smacking a kiss on my lips, he opens the passenger door and gently helps me sit on the comfiest leather seat. Rounding the front, he gets in on his side and starts the engine. The smooth purr pulls me out of my reverie.

After maneuvering out of the parking lot and onto the road with thick snow on both sides, his free hand captures mine and places it on his thick thigh.

I smile, feeling content, and enjoy the scenic view out the window.

After passing through the small town, we take a right up a hill with narrow turns. Kingston drives expertly, looking sexy and manly as hell. Still, my heart travels to my throat every now and then as I stare below us into the deep end of the cliff on my side.

Soft acoustic music plays low on the radio in the car, providing wonderful background noise as Kingston and I enjoy the quiet ride.

Sometimes, peaceful silence is more comforting than words.

The sun descends, stars glittering in the dark blue sky by the time we reach the surprise location.

It happens to be a beautiful, rustic resort called Alpine Paradise, with a rooftop restaurant visible from below. I see people mingling and laughing while sitting at their candlelit tables.

Butterflies dance in my stomach as I turn to my right just as Kingston reaches it. Our eyes lock through the windowpane, and I swallow upon seeing the desire mixed with reverence staring back at me.

He has a way of taking my breath away with a single glance.

Its power of hasn’t lessened since the first time we met.

He opens the door and I take his offered palm. My small hand gets swallowed in his as he curls his fingers around it. The big, flowy skirt of my dress swishes as I step out, and it falls just above my ankles once I stand on the ground.

I wore another red dress with a corset-style bodice and a sweetheart neckline. The beautiful necklace Kingston gifted me rests in my cleavage, which I paired with my favorite pearl earrings.

Instead of backing away, he cages me against the door and bends to brush his mouth over mine. Just touching, not kissing. Goosebumps rise along the tops of my breasts when he traces the sparkling pendant.

“Did I tell you how gorgeous you look tonight?”

I graze his beard with a fingertip and murmur, “You did.” I’m reminded of the way his eyes darkened with that feral look as soon as I walked out of the bedroom all dolled up. It still makes me shiver just thinking about it. Smirking, I huskily say, “But I don’t mind hearing it again.”

“It’s worth repeating. You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. I think you bought all the dresses meant to make me lose my mind.” A groan leaves his mouth as he kisses my neck and growls in my ear, “I’m seriously going to have a hard time focusing on anything else tonight.”

“Then you’ll know exactly how I feel around you, King.”

With a harsh suck on my collarbone that makes my toes curl in my heels, he steps back. His gaze heats possessively as he looks at the spot, and I just know he gave me a hickey that I can’t even hide because I’ve put my hair up.

I shouldn’t find him branding me like this hot.

“One less thing to worry about,” he utters in satisfaction.

“What’s that?”

“Nobody will doubt you’re all mine.”

CHAPTER – 32

Twinkle