Evolve Series Box Set (23 page)

He watches me with a satisfied look on his face the whole time and I can see it—he’s genuinely happy for me. I finally take a breath from my rambling and he beams at me. “One more song and then it’s time for one of your presents.”

“I thought your song was my present? And it was a wonderful one indeed.” I smile up at him. It really was the most spellbinding gift I’ve ever received and I’ll cherish it always.

He grasps my cheeks and kisses my nose, moving teasingly slow to finally land on my lips. “I’ll play for you anytime, Disney.”

I wrap my arms even tighter around his neck and lay my head on his chest for “Flightless Bird” by Iron & Wine. “I love this song.”

“Thought you might. Me, too.”

“You know our tastes are pretty scattered. We may be the only two people our age who get it,” I mumble into the sculpted plane of his neck.

“Perfect, since I was thinking we’re the only two people right now anyway.” He brushes his soft lips across my forehead. “You speak my language.”

We enjoy the rest of the song in silence, wrapped in each other.

“Now let’s go open presents,” he says as he folds my hand in his and pulls me to a table. He pulls a chair out for me and once I’m settled, moves to stand behind me, leans over me, and whispers on my neck, “close your eyes.”

I glance back at him questioningly. I’m so nervous, but he winks at me and I know it’s alright. I turn and do as he asked, closing my eyes.

“Lift that beautiful hair for me,” he commands.

I do, as smoothly as I can despite the trembling throughout my body. I feel cool metal slip around my neck; oh my God, he got me a necklace! Instinctively, I drop my hair and my fingertips move to touch it, but I can’t quite make it out.

I hear his voice, coming from in front of me now. “Open up, my brown-eyed girl.”

I open my eyes and Dane is in front of me holding up a small mirror and I see it- he’s placed around my neck a diamond “D” necklace. The signature Disney “D” is unmistakable. I gasp and feel the tears starting to bite; damn, this boy is good.

“Oh, Dane! I couldn’t love it more; it’s perfect,” I say between slight sniffles, my heart about to burst. “Thank you so much. You’re wonderful.” Before I know what I’m doing, I jump into his arms and squeeze the life out of him. The gift symbolizes what he told me before, maybe it’s not about the length of time you’ve known someone; maybe it’s about instant recognition on an unconscious level. Our souls know each other.

“Had a feeling you’d like that, Disney girl. My pleasure.” He winks.

“Put her down, fool, I gotta give her my gift!”

I laugh when I hear Sawyer behind me. Back on my feet, I turn and hug him. “You got me a present, too? You didn’t have to do that…but gimme it!” I laugh.

He sticks his fingers in his mouth and lets out a wolf whistle, pulling a shriek from me in shock, then waves Tate, Bennett and Zach over. “Come ‘ere, ya’ll, time for Laney’s present.” Oh God, Sawyer, present, he wants an audience…if he starts stripping or dancing on my lap, I’m gonna kill him. Surely Zach or Dane will stop him short of catastrophe.

Once they’re all gathered around, Sawyer disappears for a bit and comes back rolling a beautiful brown and cream Louis Vuitton suitcase! “Thank you, Sawyer! I love it!” I move to hug him, but he gently holds me off, laughing.

“Love the enthusiasm, but lemme finish, woman!” He guides me back to my chair and hands me an envelope.

I open it to find a crude but funny birthday card, of course, and a note. Besides lugging this bag around for you all night, my gift to you is to gather all your work over the next two days, watch Dane’s house, and help your coach run stations in exchange letting you go. Now get the hell out of here.

Wait…what? I turn back and look at Dane, who has a sexy as hell lopsided grin going on with a gleam in his eyes. I turn back to Sawyer, who’s holding out his arms to me.

“Now you hug me, sugar,” he says.

I jump up and hug him; apparently I’m going somewhere with my new suitcase and he’s in charge of taking care of all the loose ends that make it possible.

Bennett pushes through and wraps me in a hug, then pulls back and squares my shoulders, looking right into my eyes. “You light up our lives, Laney, now go light up your own. Have the most fun possible, every single second! Oh, and bring me something back!” She kisses each of my cheeks. “I love the necklace, it’s perfect.”

Ahhh, it clicks right then; I forgot the no necklace comment earlier, she knew what I was getting and knew my neck had to be bare. Little sneaks.

Next, Zach makes his move, pulling me into his big ole chest and kissing the top of my head. “He’s a good one, let him be good to you, girl.”

I still have no idea where I’m going and I’m slightly apprehensive. They’re talking like I’m leaving forever, to some island where they can’t communicate with me.

A panic attack is moving in fast; cue the comforting arms snaking around my waist from behind.

“Let’s go, Disney, I got you. Trust me?”

I instantly nod, because I do. I trust him completely, and secretly, I cannot wait to go wherever he’s taking me. I wave goodbye to as many people as I can as Dane pulls me out with one hand and my suitcase with the other. Outside the door is a different black stretch limo and a beefy man in a suit and hat opens the doors for us and takes the bag from Dane. Okay, now I’ve seen a lot of movies, but I guess I thought those were “prop limos,” I didn’t realize you could actually get a limo that looked like this on the inside. This is clearly how Dane does “limo,” no comparison to the one the rest of us rode over in.

There’s a TV, a small bar, wall-length bench seats that may be wider than my dorm bed, and a sound system. I know Dane lives in a big house, obviously his parents do well, but is he just allowed to spend it on whatever he wants?

And what about the rest of them? I feel sure the mob wouldn’t think Bennett’s flowery soul has what it takes, so I obviously haven’t fallen into a crime ring. I just can’t fathom having all this money to “play.” Dad used to take me for burgers and bowling almost every Friday when his job was good, that was our “special splurge time” together. It kicked this limo’s ass, but still…

Dane sits across from me and pours us both a glass of champagne. “Happy Birthday, Disney. I hope you had a great time and an even better time to come.”

I blush. “This may be the best day and night I’ve ever had. By far the most extraordinary birthday ever! I feel like a Princess!”

“And you have the crown, and now the necklace, to prove it.” He smiles. “You are a Princess. I’ll always see to that.”

CHAPTER 29

When You Wish Upon A…

***Laney***

“So, where are we going?” I half fear the answer; I’ve been ready to faint all night. I don’t know how many more grand gestures I can take.

“Well, about that…” He’s making me skittish now and I think he can tell by my face. “It’s a surprise, and I really want it to stay that way, but imagine my challenge of hiding the geography outside the windows. So, I ran through my options and I’m still undecided,” he laughs. “I decided I just couldn’t secretly drug you to keep you asleep.”

Um, that’s refreshing news and he’s lucky I know he’s kidding or I’d jump out the moon roof right now.

“So I thought maybe I’d blindfold you, but it’s a long drive and you probably wouldn’t go for that. So, what do you suggest I do?” He rubs his chin and scrunches his eyebrows.

“Ok, just winging here, but how about if I just try not to look out the windows?”

“Excellent plan, Ms. Walker, you’re brilliant. So, to occupy your attention,” he says, reaching behind one of the seats and bringing out my pillow from my room and a blanket, “we offer you an in-drive movie service. So get comfy and choose.” He holds up the cases for several movies as I sort out my nest and remove my shoes and earrings.

I choose one and after he gets it ready, he removes his shoes, loosens his collar and joins me on my seat, sitting at the end of my pillow where I lay down. We aren’t even touching, but it feels intimate and oddly familiar. I shouldn’t feel this comfortable with him; it should take him as long as it’s always taken everyone else to get this close. For God’s sake, I’m heading off to who knows where with him in the middle of the night. I’ve gotten cozy in a hot tub with him. Who is this girl and why does she feel so content?

I wake to him gently stroking my hair. “Time to wake up, birthday girl.” It takes me a minute to sit up and take in my surroundings. I’m still in the limo and early daylight streams through the windows.

“How long was I asleep?”

“About five hours. You did perfect, doll, we’re here.”

“We’re where?”

“You’ll see, just close your eyes for me one more time and I’ll help you out, okay?”

Now how am I gonna get my shoes on and climb out of a limo with my eyes closed? I feel him slip on my shoes for me and somehow we maneuver our way out. Warm air hits me and it takes but a second for me to pick up the music. “It’s A Small World.” I remember him telling me that it really wasn’t. What’s he playing at?

“Open your eyes, Laney,” he whispers in my ear, taking his hands away from my eyes.

NO WAY.

This can’t possibly be real. I blink a few more times, trying to see if I’m really awake. I am, I’m awake, this is happening. My fingers and toes tingle, my breathing rapid with excitement. I fall back into him; his arms reach around to catch me and he laughs.

“Easy, baby, I got you.”

I’m standing in front of a huge hotel, but it’s what I can see behind it that lets me know where I am, what’s he’s giving to me—THE Castle. Dane brought me to Disney World!!!! I repeat, Dane “are you for real?” Kendrick has freakin’ brought me to Disney “the most magical place on Earth” World!

I’ve dreamt of coming here since I was still scared of the dark; this is truly a lifetime of dreams come true. It just doesn’t seem possible that he sees enough in me to go through all this trouble, but obviously he does, cause I’m standing here. This isn’t about conquering the prude girl; this is an act of real-life chivalry. Walt himself would have been proud to base a Prince on Dane.

“Welcome to Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Ms. Walker, and Happy Birthday,” a beautiful young lady at the door says to me. “Shall we get you checked in?”

As if by telepathy, Dane chuckles behind me when he realizes I can’t speak, so he does it for me. “Yes, please, the birthday girl here is still a little sleepy.”

I have no idea what happens next, I simply float along on my cloud, trusting Dane to lead the way. I’m finally able to comprehend that we’re in our room now, and it’s magnificent with lush furnishings—and one bed. My face always gives me away and doesn’t fail now, as evidenced by Dane’s next words.

“I wanted this room for the view, Laney.” He pulls back the drapery and shows me. “They say the castle at night is something to behold, so I wanted you to have that. I have no problem with the couch; you saw how big it is.”

“I won’t have you sleeping on a couch after all you’ve done for me.” I’m Disney-high, so it just pours out of my mouth. “The bed is way big enough for both of us comfortably, no worries.” I move to him and rise to give him a kiss on the cheek, leaving my hand grazing the edge of his face. “Dane, I don’t know what I did to deserve all this, but thank you, so very much. It’s-it’s…well, it’s simply the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I don’t even know how to express it to you out loud.”

He rests his forehead against mine; I love it when he does that. I’ve come to think of it as a gentleman’s intimacy, but still scorching. “So you’re happy?”

Is he kidding? “Extremely. Euphorically. In fact, if I’m asleep, dreaming all this, do not wake me up. Feel free to go with your drug me plan to keep me asleep now.” We laugh together.

“Then you’ve thanked me. I want to make you happy, Disney. It’s really all I think about these days, ‘how do I make her happy?’” Rubbing my nose with his, the words settle between us.

“Well, let me just say, you truly know how to accomplish a goal, and you better find something else to think about, because you will never top this.”

“Is that a challenge?” He smirks, kissing my nose.

“Not at all, just a fact. If I could have hand-picked my perfect birthday, or Christmas, or last day on Earth, this would be it. Seriously, where were you when I was 10?”

“Off somewhere, waiting for you.”

Corny? Hell no—mind-bending. I kiss him with everything I’ve got. For once, I go all-in, no thoughts of anything or anyone else on my mind. My hands glide themselves up his neck, gripping his hair, and I lean my body into his. I crave the physical connection to him, this irresistibly handsome, thoughtful man who has mentally morphed with me. I want to climb him and wrap myself around him like a monkey.

He kisses me back, groaning into my mouth, his eager hands hinting a tentative path to my ass, pulling me harder against him. All at once, he pulls back, breathing harder than me perhaps. “Baby, I’m gonna have my head examined later for what I’m about to say, but if we don’t stop, you’re not leaving this room.”

Part of me so badly wants to tell him that’s okay, but only part of me; now that we’ve broken apart I’m able to think more clearly.

“My Disney princess has a lot to see, so let’s get you fed and go hit the sites. Okay?”

I pout a little, just a little, because my little girl heart and my woman libido are still settling their argument, and I kinda feel rejected.

He leans in and sucks on my bottom lip. “Put that bottom lip away, pouty. I want you, you know I do, but I want to see you on the teacups more.” He squats down slightly so he’s at eye-level with me and gives me a smirk. “Go get changed, Disney. You know you’re dying to meet Goofy.”

I concede and hop in the shower while he orders breakfast. Bennett did a really good job packing for me, better than I’d have done, and it’s only as I shift through my suitcase and run across my phone that I realize I haven’t checked it in a while. There are several texts from Evan, so I shoot back a quick reply.