He led her into a room where the sky opened wide, moonlight spilling through like liquid silver.
Beds of roses lay scattered on the ground, delicate as fallen cherry blossoms.
They followed the trail to a large mattress resting on the ground, bathed in the brightest glow of the moon.
A ring of flowers in every color circled the mattress, soft and wild.
Madeline paused, eyes wide, drinking in the magic of the scene.
He stepped behind her and whispered into her ear, "Love it?"—his voice unsteady, almost trembling.
A warm shiver spread across her skin.
"Did you plan all of this?" she asked, barely managing the words with his breath so close, brushing against her neck.
He slid his hand around her waist and pulled her close. Eyes closed, he pressed his face into the curve of her neck.
"Yes, sweet," he whispered, then let his lips trail to the spot just beneath her jaw, sucking gently.
