13. Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Thirteen

A fter dinner, Zara let Will beat her at a game of mini golf. Okay, he beat her fair and square, but she wasn't about to admit that to him. During the game, she'd revealed her slight obsession with her teal-colored hair ties when she'd dropped one she had been fidgeting with and had to go back and find it. He endeared himself to her even more in that he didn't roll his eyes but helped her find it instead.

As they left the Putt-Putt place, he took her hand. "Wanna stroll down to the park?"

"That'd be nice."

The park was down the street and had a delightful walking path with a quaint bridge over a creek. They walked hand in hand, though Zara wasn't sure her feet were actually touching the ground. Was she floating? Because it felt like it.

So far, their date had been filled with chatting, joking, and laughing. Will was so fun. She'd never felt so at ease with herself as she did right now.

They walked along the path, and when they reached the bridge, Zara let go of his hand and went to the railing and folded her arms on the top. The water ran over the rocks beneath, rippling and making the current undeniable.

Will came up beside her and wrapped his arms around her waist, leaning his head down to meet the side of hers.

She ran her hands along his arms and breathed in his affection.

The sun was dipping below the horizon, casting pinks and oranges across the sky. It was perfect. Not that they needed the sky to enhance the romantic mood.

Country music played in the distance, probably from the pub down the creek with outdoor volleyball courts that had been full when they drove by after dinner.

Will swayed to the music, and she followed his lead. He stepped back and turned her toward him.

His eyes flashed with delight. His hand slid down her arm until he firmly took her hand. He lifted it and spun her around.

Her skirt flared out in a perfect little twirl. As she circled around, she moved her feet side to side in a simple dance.

Will drew her close and stepped to the beat of the music. His free hand slid around her waist, and they danced.

She laid her head on his shoulder, every fiber of her being fully engaged in the tender moment.

He spun her around again, but this time, instead of his hand reaching for her waist, he raked his fingers into her hair and drew her face close to his.

His broad smile beamed. "Remember that kiss I promised?"

"I didn't realize it was a promise." She bit her lip.

"I said I would." His smile faded a touch. "My word is good."

The blood in every vessel in her cheeks ran hotter than normal.

His gaze traveled to her lips and back to her eyes.

She giggled.

He dropped her hand and found her lower back, drawing her body closer to his.

She pressed her hands against his chest and kept her lips just out of Will's reach, but barely. Her giggle was uncontainable.

"What?"

"I kind of like this."

"Teasing me?"

Zara wrapped her arms around his neck. "Delayed gratification."

He laughed so hard he tipped his head back into her hands. "You could call it that." He inched his face closer but stopped shy.

Their cheeks brushed.

She could barely breathe, and their lips hadn't even touched yet. The anticipation was going to kill her.

His breath was warm against her ear.

"You have done this before, right?"

He released a deep chuckle. "I have. I'm not as innocent as my mom would like to believe."

"Oh dear."

Will moved his face back enough to look in her eyes. The desire in his eyes stole her breath.

Without any more hesitation, Will brought his lips to hers.

The passion in his kiss was more tender than any kiss she'd ever received.

She pressed into him, and their lips moved in a synchronous dance of delight. His lips were still salty from his french fries.

She'd never felt so safe in a man's arms. There was no sense that he was going to try to take advantage of her or that he was here to get his. And neither was she. They were both present in the kiss.

They both drew out of the kiss and tried to catch their breath. Will traced her cheekbone before lifting her chin. With their eyes locked, they shared an intimate gaze. It was the tenderest moment she'd ever experienced.

She didn't want it to end. But she knew it would. Nothing this good could last, could it?

Will's brows furrowed slightly.

Her expression must have given away her thought.

Her vision blurred with moisture, and she couldn't find words.

"Hey. We got this."

"I don't want it to end. But the fear. It's so intense."

"I know. But trust me ."

"I want to."

"That's a step in the right direction. And I hope I can prove to you that above all, God is trustworthy. We have to trust Him with this. With everything."

She nodded. "Show me again how much I can trust you."

He chuckled. "You don't have to ask that twice."

He met her lips again. Slow, steady, and reassuring. When they pulled back this time, she went onto her toes and wrapped her arms tightly around Will's neck.

His arms held her with more strength than was physical.

Thank You, Lord, for this man who points me to You. Help me to trust him and You with this relationship.

Zara couldn't stop smiling. This date had been so much more than she could ever have dreamed. Will was the perfect gentleman. After their kiss on the bridge, they had walked the remainder of the path then got ice cream, where they talked about the future. Nothing specific, just general dreams about children, dogs, and the merits of a house in the country versus right in town.

She'd never taken the time to actually dream about those things. They'd always seemed like impossibilities, but with Will and Jesus, anything seemed possible now.

Will pulled his truck into her parking lot and insisted she wait until he came around to let her out.

She took his offered hand and strolled to her door at the slowest possible pace. She didn't want to say good night.

At her doorstep, they turned and faced one another.

"I'm not going to come in tonight."

"That seems like a wise choice." But she hated the wisdom in it. Couldn't he come in and have a cup of coffee or something?

He stepped closer to her and, cupping her cheek, brought her lips to his.

That's why he couldn't come in.

She reluctantly pulled back and giggled. "Thanks for tonight."

"Anytime. I look forward to the next one. I'll see you at church tomorrow."

She nodded. "Save me a seat."

"Don't be late again."

"It's never my goal."

His lips seized hers again for a deep, passionate—although quick—kiss.

It left her reeling.

"Good night." He stepped away and toward the parking lot but turned. "I'm not going anywhere until you're inside though."

Her heart swooned. "Night."

She pulled her keys from her purse. Why was it such a fight to not say I love you ? Did she really feel that way for him already? I just might . But she wanted to be sure before she said it. Plus, shouldn't she wait until he said it first?

She unlocked the door and, after one last wave, closed it. She leaned back against it and released a contented sigh. She'd sleep well tonight with dreams filled with Will and his extraordinary lips.

She reached for the alarm, but it wasn't set for "away" and only indicated that the door had been opened. "Shoot." Searching her memory, she found the moment when she left. Yep, she'd forgotten to set it. How could she be so stupid? The system only worked if she actually used it.

She rolled her eyes at herself and flipped the light switch, illuminating the hallway. When had she turned the light off? She really had been distracted when she left with Will.

Will. She giggled. How had she almost ruined that earlier this week? That was stupid. Maybe they had a chance at a future, but not if she pushed him away. She dropped her purse and sweater on the kitchen counter and filled a glass with water.

Taking a long sip, she recalled the feel of Will's hand on her back.

She had it bad.

Gulping down the rest of the water, she placed the glass in the sink, grabbed her purse, and walked around the counter toward the bedroom. If only she had a book from AJ already. She really needed the distraction from her thoughts of Will. It was going to be a challenge to go to sleep and keep her thoughts pure tonight.

She half skipped to her bedroom but stopped shy of the door. Something was off.

Glancing over at the air conditioner, she confirmed it had tripped again. She crossed the living room and confirmed that it was not getting any electricity. At least she knew what to do now.

Maybe she'd get into her pajamas and come back out and watch a movie. An action movie. No romance.

She stepped into her room and reached for the switch. Nothing happened. "What on earth?" Two breakers must have flipped tonight. For Pete's sake. Maybe this old apartment wouldn't work long-term after all.

She went to her bedside table to turn the lamp on and retrieve a flashlight if it didn't.

Maybe she didn't need the apartment long-term. Would she and Will get married?

Something like a shadow moved behind her.

Or was it her imagination?

She reached for the lamp but missed the switch when a large muscular arm snaked around her.

The lamp crashed to the ground.

A gloved hand clapped over her mouth and muffled her scream.