Take a Bow (The Perfect Plans Series Book 2) by C.J. Wells

wining and dining my beautiful lady. Right after we take that shower you suggested,” he adds with a wickedly suggestive grin, offering me his hand.
    Oh dear God.

    “I’M SORRY, I’VE been going on and on,” Alex pulls his napkin from his lap, wiping the corners of his mouth.
    “Don’t be. I love hearing stories about your childhood and your family. Your parents sound like such well-rounded, wonderful people. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” I add with a smile, taking a sip of my wine.
    “They are great. I’m blessed to have them, but every family has their moments,” he shrugs, grinning.
    “Ummm, I think mine has more than it’s fair share. We’re all a little crazy ,” I add dramatically on a whisper.
    Laughing, he shakes his head, looking into my eyes with a sweet smile. “Call it what you will, it’s one of the many things I love about you.”
    Uncontrollably, my eyes widen at his use of the word and I immediately note the shift of his brow and cock of his head at my reaction. “You know what I would love?” I quickly aim for a detour of distraction. “A walk on the beach. It’s so beautiful and quiet out here,” I look up and down the strip of isolated sand before looking back to him. “The staff really do leave the guests in peace, don’t they?”
    “Yes, they do. And since we’re the only guests here,” he stands, taking my hand to pull me up against him, “…a private stroll by the water sounds very inviting.”
    “You want me naked and wet, don’t you?” The thought elicits an eruption through my core.
    “Oh, absolutely,” he simpers. “But I’m still delivering the romance portion.” He cups my jaw to hold my gaze, his thumb brushing along my lip. “Let’s talk a little more,” he adds, kissing me softly before bending down to remove my sandals, a soft hold of my calves through the motions. Laying them to the side, he looks up at me, his eyes filled with longing as his hands run up the span of my legs. “Did I tell you how beautiful you look this evening?” His touch glides up with my short sundress as he stands. “You really are beautiful, Aby,” he whispers, bending to kiss my neck.
    Closing my eyes, I bite my lip against the shrill of ecstasy coursing through me. His words are my euphoria. They hypnotize me, leave me breathless. Speechless.
    “Come,” he offers me his hand, looking into my eyes, flashing that amazing combination smile - the sweet, though sinfully sexy, knowing one that drives me wild. “Let’s go for that stroll.” Kicking off his sandals, he leads me toward the water’s edge.
    The ocean breeze blends with the warmth of the evening as we walk hand in hand in silence, just out of reach of the slow, soft waves. We’ve been here less than a day, and it feels like a peaceful forever. A world away from all of our troubles. All of my fears. The quiet moment is perfect. Safe.
    “It’s all about perception, you know,” he says out of nowhere, and I look to him in confusion - clearly he’s not riding the thoughtless wave with me. “The issues you have with your family. Or, rather, I should say, your Mum ,” he continues, his eyebrow doing its sexy shift.
    “Nail on the head,” I tap my nose at his accurate summation of my issues with my mother. “Do go on, Dr. Tate. I welcome your psychoanalysis with an open mind,” I tease with a smile, before looking ahead. I’m not sure why he’s thinking about this right now, but I’m intrigued as to what he has to say.
    “Perception is everything. In my world,” he pauses, pulling my gaze before continuing. “ That world we agree can be difficult,” he purses his lips and I laugh. “My every word, every step is perceived by everyone, rightfully or wrongfully. It’s particularly eye opening to be on the constant receiving end of those presumptions and assumptions. However, the positive side is that it reminds me to try to look past what appears on the surface. I try to see what is real