Page 74 of Taylor’s Warrior

Because as far as she was concerned, no matter what happened, this man was her future—wherever he chose to take her. She would always go along for the ride.

CHAPTER 22

Taylor fastened her seatbelt. “So, where are we going today?”

“It’s a surprise,” Rhys replied from the driver’s seat, his infinitely kissable mouth curved into the kind of grin that proclaimed the fact he knew something she didn’t.

Despite her enthusiasm for anything they would do together, Taylor tried to stifle a yawn. She hadn’t bargained for such an early start after a highly entertaining evening at the local pub, where live music had been provided by an amateur group made up of some of Rhys’ childhood friends. The banter between them had been off the charts, and Rhys had demonstrated beyond any doubt that he had inherited his father’s vocal talents.

She glanced at her watch and groaned. “While I love a surprise, are you sure we have to leave this early?”

“Quit whining. Yes, I’m sure. It’s about an hour away, and at this time of the day, it’ll hopefully be a bit quieter.”

“Okay. Whatever you say. Wake me up when we get there.”

“Don’t tell me you’re going to sleep all the way?” He sounded scandalized.

Taylor made herself comfortable. “If I am, it’s all your fault.”

Not only had they been late leaving the pub, he’d kept her up when they arrived back by making love to her until her mind had flown to another plane of existence and her body had been so limp and wrung-out, she’d barely had the energy to react when she’d felt the heat and pressure of his body all the way from her shoulders to her thighs. He’d draped his arm over her waist and she’d drifted into sleep, secure in the knowledge she was anchored to the man she loved.

Thoroughly relaxed, Taylor let her gaze drift to the view speeding by. The more she saw of the Welsh countryside, the more she fell in love with it. When the time came, leaving it would be a wrench.

“Is all of Wales as beautiful as this?”

“No, not all of it. The old pits and the steelworks have left their mark. The castles are better, though; we have a few of them dotted around. I think there’s about four hundred, including the ruins.”

Taylor turned from the view to her chauffeur. “Four hundred? That’s crazy.”

“Used to be a couple of hundred more, if I remember rightly. Fancy coming back next summer and taking a tour of a few?”

“That sounds wonderful. Are you sure you won’t mind?”

Rhys detached his left hand from the wheel and reached across to take hold of her right hand. “Not in the least. I’d love to show you around.”

“And I love the sound of it already.”

He lifted his hand to her mouth and kissed her fingers. “Then it’s a date.”

They reached their destination and pulled into a small parking lot. Even at this ungodly hour, three or four cars had already beaten them to it, but there was still plenty of room. Taylor was about to suggest they grab a drink at the small coffee shop first until she noticed the opening hours on the sign on the door. She sighed.

“You all right?” Rhys asked.

“Yes. I was just craving a hit of caffeine, but we’re too early.” She pointed to the sign.

“We can call in on the way back. I think we both might need coffee by then. How do you do it?”

Taylor glanced around, unsure as to whether the question was directed to her. The total absence of other human life seemed to indicate it was, but she had no idea what he meant. “Do what?”

Rhys closed the space between them. He raised a hand to cup the side of her neck and run his thumb lightly along her jaw. “Look so amazing. I thought I knew how lucky I am, but every day you make me realize I have no fucking clue.”

Taylor took a deep breath and draped her arms around his waist. “Are you kidding me? I’m the lucky one here. When I think of how much time I wasted before Nick threw us together⁠—”

Rhys pressed a finger to her lips. “That’s time we wasted. So, my guilt cancels out yours, which means we only think about the day we have today, and all the days we have to come. What’s in the past doesn’t matter.”

“I love the way you put that.” She stood on tiptoe and pressed a lingering kiss to his lips. “And I like the way you think, Dalton.”

A smile lit up his face. “Ready?”