Page 90 of Reckless Chance

Shit. She’s not wearing anything under her top. I barely manage to separate us before it becomes horribly obvious that my cock is at full attention. Down boy. Not now. We’re apologizing, not seducing—well, at least not yet.

“What is all this? We were supposed to meet for a drink.” She waves her hand around the scene I’ve set for the evening.

“Change of plans. Movie night in PJs. We have a giant screen, a lounging bed with loads of pillows and blankets, and mountains of snacks to munch on while we watch. Are you up for it?”

“How fun. I haven’t taken time to watch a movie on a big screen in ages. This doesn’t seem like you though.” She laughs.

“I thought we’d try something different. We don’t have to party full-throttle all the time. We’ve been subjected to loads of stress, so a little relaxing downtime would do us both good. What do you think?” I ask, handing her a glass of champagne.

“Thanks. I could use a break.”

“Okay, let’s toast to watching old movies under the night sky. Cheers,” I say, and we clink glasses.

“Did you say old movies? What are we watching?”

“Casablanca.”

“I loveCasablanca, but I haven’t seen it in years.”

“Let’s get comfy and start the movie. It was one of my parents’ favorites.”

Lowri crawls onto the outdoor bed and nestles her back against a pile of pillows as I cover her with a plush blanket and place a bucket of caramel popcorn drizzled with white and dark chocolate on the side table near her. Settling in beside Lowri, I’m careful not to crowd her. Any intimacy tonight will be her choice.

“How did you know that’s my favorite popcorn?” she asks, moving the bucket to her lap and popping a few kernels into her mouth.

“I may have asked Cassie for snack suggestions.” I grin.

Turning to me, she says, “You’ve got to try this. It’s crunchy, sweet, a little salty—simply the perfect mouthful of snack heaven.”

Her animation over it is adorable. A warmth flows through me knowing she’s happy. Not many women I’ve encountered, other than my mom, would find such pleasure in something as simple as popcorn. Most expect diamonds and extravagant dinners. Even those gifts don’t always elicit such pure appreciation and delight as I see on Lowri’s face now. She’s simply different in such an amazing way.

I try a sample, reminding myself to thank Cassie for her help.

“I hope you’re sharing. That stuff is something else,” I say, grabbing the remote control to start the movie.

Lowri kindly puts the bucket of gourmet popcorn between us.

The movie starts with chaos erupting on the screen.

We’re engrossed as Ingrid Bergman andHumphrey Bogart portray the story of Ilsa and Rick reconnecting.

Despite knowing the ending, I can’t help rooting for their love. Turning to watch Lowri’s reaction, I wonder what we’re rooting for with each other.

As the movie nears the end, a cooling autumn breeze picks up, so I toss another blanket across us.

“It’s getting chilly,” she says, snuggling against me for the first time this evening.

I wrap my arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer. Leaning down, I kiss the top of her head.

When Rick and Ilsa say their final goodbye, Lowri clutches my PJ top as tears gently roll down her cheeks. I wrap my other arm around her and whisper, “Don’t cry. I’ve got you, sweetheart.”

“I’m okay. It’s just so romantic. Rick put everything on the line for his former love. Why doesn’t love like that exist in real life?”

“I’m starting to believe that it does,” I murmur, barely audible.

“What?”

“The movie’s a classic.”