A Kiss to Last a Lifetime

The Next Few Days part 2

After I left Tessa alone with her thoughts I called Reggie to ask him out for dinner. I didn’t tell him I would be preparing the meal or that I wanted him to bring me back to the lake from the other day. But I did tell him to wear casual clothing that he wasn’t afraid to get dirty.

While the sun was setting I wanted to capture the moment. So I packed painting supply kits that came with an easel for each of us. I wanted to always remember the lake, but having the painting would help to hold the memory.

Shortly after packing blankets, dinner and paint supplies Reggie messaged me that he was outside and ready for our date. I told my parents where I was headed and that I would be back later. They already had Reggie’s personal information in case they needed to reach out, so they told me to be safe.

I was wearing a flowing summer dress and a Jean jacket. As soon as I stepped out of my house Reggie couldn’t stop his eyes from roaming my body. The dress was drifting along with the wind, it was probably bright enough outside to see the outline of my thighs.

“Hey Reggie, can you help me carry these boxes and bags to the car?” I interrupted his shameless gaze and thoughts. “I would like to go to the lake you took me to on our first night together.”

“No problem! I will tell Timothy where we are headed.” Reggie said as he took everything out of my hands. Leaving me with only my purse to carry.

I couldn’t stop smiling at Reggie as we made our way to the lake. He insisted on carrying everything except my purse. He also double checked that we wouldn’t need to go back to the car for anything. He made sure his bodyguards respected our privacy and kept enough distance. We made our way up the trail. Bugs were leaping around in the tall grass on either side of the path.

Reggie sat all of the items on the ground not far from the lake. He asked, “Is there anything I can help set up? I didn’t expect to be here today, but the weather is perfect and I couldn’t have dreamed of a better first date.” He smiled.

“I couldn’t stop thinking about the lake's beauty. I sometimes thought about it when we were with Dane’s parents at the hospital. I appreciate you and all you have done for me. I can’t even explain how happy I am that you are here with me, and have been with me through it all.” I said as I gently kissed his lips.

I groaned, I had forgotten about the tingles that erupted every time we touched, and it had been a long time since we kissed. The kiss was almost magnetic and I couldn’t resist going back for a second and third kiss.

“Hmm…” I sighed. “I brought food for a picnic and painting kits for after we eat. The food is in the basket and we can setup the easels later. All the views are great, but we will pick what we want later.”

Reggie helped set up dinner after we spread out of the blankets on the ground. We ate and chatted about everything that has happened, and how to prepare for what’s to come. After that we spoke about possible next date ideas. It definitely took me off guard thinking he wanted to see me more even though this relationship in the giving portion seemed to be one sided.

He had already given me so much, and he explained that he wanted, no that he needed more time with me. That he would love to have me over again to meet both of parents as I had only met his mother. After we finished dinner, he complimented me as the chef, and we started setting up our easels and paints as we cleared our dishes and put away the remaining food.

I had captured the area I envisioned whenever I thought about the lake. I managed to finish painting the lightness of the painting before it got too dark, but the rest would need to wait for another time and day. Reggie asked if we could share our paintings and I told him that mine wasn’t finished. He said it was okay, because he really wanted to show me his art.

I walked over to him to look at what he created. It was a painting of the lake, but I was also in the painting with my back toward him as I painted my canvas attached to the easel. In the painting my hair and dress flowed with the wind. The likeness was flattering, and this was only my backside!

I couldn’t even speak. I was in awe and didn’t know how to react. Reggie grabbed my hand and said, “I had to capture both beauties otherwise the painting would be incomplete.” He brought my hand up to lips and kissed it. At that point the tears began to flow. I wasn’t sad, I was filled with emotions I never experienced in my years with Dane.

Instead of questioning or trying to validate my feelings, worries, doubts and other thoughts, like I would with Dane. Reggie was here giving me more than I ever received from Dane. I should stop comparing the men, but this is all new to me and the happiness I was feeling was overwhelming. I couldn’t believe I happened to run in to Reggie at a very vulnerable time in my life and instead of using it against me, he’d done everything within him to prove he is the better man and that I always deserved better.

I turned around to face Reggie, and embraced him like my life depended on it. I had no idea how to explain how he made me feel, but right now felt like I was filled with life, and something else I wasn’t ready to admit. We stood like that for a while holding each other before we started making out.

After sometime had passed my phone vibrated. It was my parents reaching out to see when I would be home. They were starting to get worried with the time. I told Reggie and we packed everything up and made plans for tomorrow.

The next day Reggie picked us up and took us to the hospital. Toward the end of the visit Sherry had reached out. Apparently, Tessa told her about Dane’s accident and Sherry was looking to catch up with me.