Page 66 of What I Like About You

Chapter Twenty-Two

Zara could feelher excitement thrum through her body as they made their way down the little path that led to a part of the resort she hadn’t been to yet. She didn’t know where they were headed, but as long as it meant being with Dalton, she didn’t really care where they ended up. Her giddiness over the evening had taken over, and she was having a hard time keeping it contained. She loved everything about how the night had unfolded—the dress, the re-do of prom, the makeshift decorations, and Dalton’s incredible heartfelt words while they danced. And maybe even some of the dirty ones he’d whispered along the way.

“What is this?” she asked as Dalton punched a code into a keypad next to the door of the little beach hut he brought her to.

“This is the Lucky Star,” he said. “One of four bungalows known simply as The Villas. Vogue, Borderline, Lucky Star, and La Isla Bonita, which is where Lee and Cullen are staying while their house is being renovated.”

“You’re really working this star theme hard, aren’t you?”

“I can’t take credit for that one,” he said, holding the door open for her. “This is the one Lee told me was available to commandeer. But I won’t fight it if kismet is on our side.”

He flipped the light switch to reveal a simple, yet elegantly decorated living room, complete with couch, coffee table, desk, and TV. Looking to her left she saw a doorway that led to what appeared to be a bedroom and a bathroom beyond that. She turned to look at him, trying to control her facial expression. The place was beautiful, and she could understand why someone who could afford it would want the extra privacy and quiet it allowed. However, she was a little confused what they were doing here. After all, it was a hotel suite. Hadn’t he told her that a hotel room wasn’t the post-prom plan? Or maybe it hadn’t been the plan then, but this was a new plan. But why wouldn’t they just go back to his place again?

“Ummm…so, not to be like Captain Obvious here, but this is a hotel room,” she started. He looked at her quizzically, not sure where she was going with this. “I thought you said that you made that up…”

The deer-in-headlights look that overtook Dalton almost made Zara want to laugh, if not for the slight feeling of dread that was creeping in. He had said that part was a lie, right? Or had she only heard what she wanted to hear?

“Confession—there was always a hotel room. It just wasn’t for what I said it was for…”

She gave him a look that she hoped conveyed that she was listening, but that he’d better start talking faster.

“Follow me,” he said, taking her hand and leading her toward the bedroom.

Crossing over the threshold, the king-size bed came fully into view, and she saw exactly what he was talking about. The bed was stacked with all shapes and sizes of fluffy pillows, and there were candles strewn across the bedside tables, floor, and lining the sill of the large window at the foot of the bed that looked out over the beach. A small wheeled cart sat next to the large flatscreen TV, loaded up with Twizzlers, gummy bears, Junior Mints, and of course, popcorn. All her favorite movie snacks. Right next to the goodies was a picture frame with a printed piece of paper in it. Walking over to the cart, Zara picked up the frame, scanning the list of movie titles. Listed in alphabetical order were at least a dozen titles, all of them ones that she loved. It was almost like the list had been put together just for her. And then the realization hit her.

It had been.

Still holding the frame, she spun around and looked at Dalton, who was now leaning against the king-size bed. He looked so sexy all dressed up like this, and the idea of slowly undressing him danced across her mind. She knew exactly what was under those threads, and she suddenly had an incredible urge to make them disappear.

“This was your plan?”

“I knew you would have no interest in attending any of the parties that people were hosting, so I thought we could have our own. I booked a room at the Omni overlooking Centennial Olympic Park and had it all set up waiting for us. Just you and me, curled up in bed, watching movies.”

“That’s it? Just watching movies?” she asked flirtatiously, walking over to him and straddling his legs so their torsos were mere inches from each other. “No attempts to make time with me?”

“Zara, let’s be honest with ourselves. Even if I had worked up the balls to try and kiss you, you would have been asleep within a half hour of hitting the play button,” he responded, playfully jabbing at her side. She let out a little shriek of surprise as she fell into him some more.

“That’s not true!” She shoved him lightly, and he fell back on the bed, acting like she’d bodychecked him, taking her with him. They both let out a laugh as they hit the bed, soaking in how good it felt to banter like this again. He chastely kissed her, letting his lips linger for only the briefest moment against hers. It caused heat to rise up in her and left her wanting so much more.

“Will there ever come a day you don’t tease me about that?”

“Nope,” he said with another chaste kiss. “It’s one of my favorite things about you. So, which movie do you want to watch?”

“Good question,” she said. She shifted so she could stand up to go grab the list again, but Dalton’s reflexes were quicker, pulling her back down into him. Still holding on to her, he rolled them over so now she was on her back and he pushed up, caging her in with his hard body.

“Just where do you think you’re going?”

“To look at the list!”

“Just name a movie, beautiful. If you like it, I have it.”

“Oh, really?”

“Really,” he told her, kissing her. “I never deleted the Z drive.”

Zara felt her pulse speed up at the mention of the portable hard drive. He’d kept copies of all her favorites on that drive and brought it pretty much everywhere, so that they were never without something to watch. She’d almost forgotten about it, but apparently he hadn’t.

“So, we could watch Fifty First Dates?” she asked, anticipating his reaction.