He wasn’t sure exactly how she would take it; the conversation had definitely taken an unexpected turn. She seemed to give his answer some serious thought. Finally she nodded, placing her small hand over his where it rested on the gear shift. She got it, and she accepted. He felt one of his internal tumblers moving slowly into place, the first in a series that would unlock his heart completely.
“It’s a bit different for me, though,” he continued. “I have six brothers and a father who have all been SEALs as well. I grew up with it, and I was constantly surrounded by men who understood exactly what I was going through, because they’d gone through it themselves. We’ve always been there for one another, even if we don’t talk about it much.”
Lacie smiled, a gentle, caring smile that warmed him. “I’ve heard you are all very close.”
“We are,” he confirmed. The light changed and he moved forward, turning off onto the road that would take them out of Pine Ridge proper and up the mountain.
“Brian and I are close, too,” she told him. Shane shifted and curled his fingers around hers. It felt natural to do so. “That’s how I know he’s still alive, waiting for someone to find him.” She paused, taking a breath. “Corinne and I are pretty tight, too, but as you’ve already seen, she’s insane.”
Shane smiled. “I like her.”
“Oh, God, don’t tell her that. She’ll camp out on your doorstep and you’ll never get rid of her.”
“You’ll have to protect me, then.”
She squeezed his hand and winked. “I’ve got your six.”
Chapter Five
Much to Lacie’s delight and surprise, Shane had reservations at the Celtic Goddess, an exclusive five-star restaurant built into the mountainside just outside of Pine Ridge. From the moment they pulled up in front of the signature Greek-columned entrance, her eyes went as wide and stayed that way. She stared in wonder at the opulent décor as they entered the lobby. More columns. Gleaming marble flooring. Elegant, sculpted statues and a proliferation of lush greenery.
Shane gave his name to the tuxedoed man behind the ornately-carved podium and they were led to a very private, secluded table for two in a balconied alcove overlooking the valley.
“This is for us?” she whispered quietly, sure that the maitre d’ had made a mistake.
“Yes,” he grinned, accepting the bottle of champagne.
The tablecloths were ivory linens trimmed in gold. The place setting was the most elegant china she had ever seen; she was sure that the utensils were real silver.
As if all that wasn’t enough, the meal was an event in itself. Seven individual courses of the most delicious food she had ever tasted. By the time dessert arrived – twelve paper-thin layers of a hazelnut chocolate torte – she was quite sure every one of her sensory systems was in a state of blissful shock.
“Dance with me,” Shane said, rising from the table and holding out his hand. Lovely music flowed softly from hidden speakers all around them. The dishes had all been cleared away, nothing between them but soft candlelight and the fresh flowers that comprised the small, tastefully done centerpiece.
She blinked. “Here? Now?” It was only the two of them in their own romantic little world, set apart from everyone and everything. In truth, though, it wouldn’t have mattered if they had been placed dead center in a room amidst thousands of others. Tonight there was no one in her universe but Shane.
“Yes,” he grinned, and she was sure her heart skipped a few beats. Not even the grandeur of the Celtic Goddess or the breathtaking view could take away from his presence. He was, quite simply, the most beautiful man she had ever met. His features were as stunning as the hand-carved Greek statues around them – strong and masculine, yet tempered with intelligence and depth. In his black suit, his eyes blazed a luminous blue, and throughout the evening, they had been pinned solely on her.
“Aren’t you afraid I’ll trip and send us both through the window?”
He tugged lightly on her hand. “I won’t let anything happen to you, Lacie.”
How could she resist when he said things like that? The past few hours had been spent in the perfect place, with the perfect man. To be held in his arms while they danced alone beneath the stars, with the entire valley spread out below? She’d never forgive herself if she didn’t.
Stepping into his arms was like coming home. Her body molded itself to his, every curve, every dip, every line fitting together as if crafted by a master artisan. They moved together as if they had been doing so all their lives. Shane was smooth and graceful, and for the first time in her life, Lacie felt that way, too. At least until Shane gave her injured hand a slight squeeze. She uttered a little cry before she could stop herself.
Shane stepped back immediately and examined her hand. “What happened?”
“It was nothing,” she said. “I caught my hand in the car door. It was an accident.”
He cast a look from beneath dark, thick lashes that were practically sinful on a man. “I would certainly hope you didn’t do it on purpose.” His fingers brushed lightly over the back, skimming along the knuckles, tapping her fingers. “When did this happen?”