Once landed, their rental car acquired, and on the road, Emilia couldn't stop glancing to Magnus between taking in the scenery as it flew by.
"What?" He finally asked, about halfway between Frankfurt and Heidelberg.
She leaned over in the seat and kissed him on his jaw. "Thank you," she said softly.
"That's it?" He glanced to her then back to the road. "You've been eyeing me in silence to, what, just bask?"
"Pretty much," she smiled. "I mean, I could have you pull off to the side of the road and beg you to fuck me until neither one of us could move anymore, but I kind of like this slow burn approach."
Magnus laughed, both amused and a bit nervous. "You are astonishing."
Emilia pursed her lips. "Good or bad?"
He looked to her again, then reached a hand over to rub her thigh. "Good, love. All good. It's just unexpected, but refreshing and… tantalizing."
His hand drifted between her legs, his fingers stopping just shy of where her legs came together. "It's a side of you I didn't expect."
"Well, I couldn't really show it to you before," she smiled, her gaze dropping to watch his hand. "And it's not something I really show much. There has to be an, I suppose, inherent level of trust."
His hand shifted, moving back to the top of her thigh. "That's incredibly sexy."
"Trust?"
"Mmmm," he nodded. "That you trust me. And with more than just keeping you safe."
"I'm glad you think so."
"I do." He took one of her hands briefly and kissed it.
"Does that mean you trust me?" She asked, more of her nerves coming through than she intended.
He looked to her again as he placed her hand on his leg. "Implicitly."
She gave his thigh a gentle squeeze. "Well, that gives us something to toast to tonight, then. You do realize what tonight will be, yes?"
A broad grin spread across Magnus' face. "You want me to say it, don't you?"
She just stared at him, beaming.
He licked his lips, and sighed. "We're going on a date… finally."
"Finally, indeed," she said as she rubbed his thigh. "You're ok with the slow progression?"
"If this this is slow progression… Honestly I think we've been all out of order already, so I'm just trying to go with things as they happen."
"Says the man who planned most of this vacation. That shows some forethought."
"Oh, I didn't say I don't have plans or hopes, but…" He drifted as they crossed the border marker into Baden-Wurttenberg.
"But?" Emilia asked, eyebrow raised.
He glanced to her, smiling and reaching to run his hand down her face, along her jawline. "There's still much to be said for just enjoying the moments as they come."
She took his hand and kissed it. "Absolutely. Now," she said, releasing his hand and moving her other form his thigh. "Shall we have some music?" She reached for the radio dial and flicked it on. "Not sure what we'll find, and my dancing will be restricted to seat dancing, but I think the driver deserves some entertainment."
"Be my guest."
Once they arrived within the limits of Heidelberg, Emilia was in full tourist mode, looking everywhere she could, drinking in the city. Magnus kept glancing to the GPS, which he told her she couldn't look at. After a few minutes, he placed a hand on her leg. "I know you want to see everything, and we will, but right now I need you to do something."
"Oh?"
"Close your eyes, and don't open them until I tell you."
She eyed him. "Magnus, what have you got planned?"
"Nothing terribly fancy, I assure you. I just want where we're staying to be a surprise. Please?"
She emitted a playful huff. "Fine," she grumbled, but there was a small smile on her face. She closed her eyes, trying to calm herself.
Magnus drove for another five minutes, then Emilia felt the car making a wide turn.
"You get lost?" She teased.
"Not lost, just missed the driveway." He grumbled.
The car turned again and Emilia heard the road turn into something closer to gravel. Magnus eased into the lot and stopped the car. Turning off the engine, he leaned over and kissed her.
"Stay here. I'll be back in just a moment." His lips drifted down her neck to her collarbone. "Keep your eyes closed, ok?"
"Mmmhmm," she agreed. "Will you just-"
"I'll lock the doors," he promised.
She heard him undo his seatbelt and exit the car, the alarm making a little chirp as he locked her in. She could hear the voice of another man a few seconds later. It was a valet, offering to park the car and take their bags. Magnus told him to wait and then his voice dropped and she couldn't hear them anymore, but a moment later she heard two sets of feet crunching away across the gravel.
Several moments later, Magnus returned, his footsteps crunching up to her door. The car beeped and he opened her door.
"You kept your eyes closed?" He asked. Emilia nodded.
"Good. Come on, then." She undid her seatbelt and made to shift and his hand was there to guide her out of the car. Once she was outside, she inhaled the air as Magnus shifted around her to close the door. He wrapped an arm around her and kissed her, soft and tender. "You're so wonderful," he murmured.
She slid her hands carefully up to his neck and pulled his lips back to hers. "So are you," she replied when they parted. "Thank you, Magnus." Her eyelids fluttered in natural reaction, wanting to look at him and she felt his lips lightly press on her eyebrows.
"Not yet," he said firmly. She nodded and he took a step back, still clasping her hand in his. He took her a few steps then stopped. He moved behind her, guiding her to face a bit more to the left. Moving to her side, he wrapped an arm around her waist. "Alright, love."
She took a breath, then opened her eyes. Before her was a quaint two-story hotel that looked like a small converted manor house. It was tucked away off a main street, secluded and quiet. She could hear the birds chirping and saw a few fluttering around the ivy crawling around the windows.
"This is beautiful," she said, moving her arm around his waist and sliding along his side.
"Let's go in," he said, guiding her forward. She walked with him, arm in arm, up the short staircase and in through the open doorway. It was a rather short frame and Magnus had to duck just a bit to miss the top. Inside, the lobby was spacious, high-ceilinged, and warmly lit from lamps and the sunlight coming in from outside. The stone tile floors and rich wood detailing the room gave an air of sophistication, while the tufted upholstery and numerous cushions on various chairs, sofas, and ottomans gave it a very homey feel.
A young man came from behind the check-in counter and gave a small bow. "Welcome, fraulein." He nodded to Magnus, "Your room is ready, sir."
"Thank you," they replied together.
Magnus guided her through the lobby and upstairs. She looked back at him. "Our bags?"
"They'll bring them up shortly," he replied, shifting in front of her at the landing and walking down the hallway. He led her to the end of the hall, unlocking the last door and opening it for her. He gestured her inside and she stepped in. The room was a master suite with large living area and steps leading to the bedroom area and a curtain to section off the two areas. Oversized red leather furniture made up most of the sitting area, along with a large round table. A dark wood writing desk sat off to one side, with a small fridge beside. On top of the desk was a tray with two goblets and a bottle of champagne.
"Magnus," she sighed. "This is perfect."
"Really?"
She turned back to him. He had closed the door and stood in the entryway, leaning against the wall.
"Yes, really" she smiled, moving to him. She reached up and he took her hand, pulling her to the window.
"You should see the view," he said softly. He opened the curtain and Emilia's jaw dropped. The hotel wasn't just situated off the main road, it was partway up the hill and the view from their window looked out of the main city, directly at the castle on the hill across the river.
Emilia gazed out at the landscape, guiding Magnus' hand to her waist. He sidled up behind her, enveloping her in his arms and leaning down to place his head on her shoulder.
"So, not a bad start to a first date?"
"Bad? It's early days, but I think you might take top prize. If the rest of the day goes as it has so far."
He gave her a gentle squeeze, then kissed her shoulder. She turned in his arms and shifted up on her toes to meet his lips. No sooner had their lips connected then there was a knock at the door.
"Did they take timing lessons from Kurt?" She chided quietly as Magnus released her. He went to the door and opened it. The valet brought in their bags, and nodded to them both. Magnus said his thanks and the valet left.
Emilia had turned back to the window, enjoying the view. Magnus came up beside her, placing a hand on her lower back.
"You want to go see it?"
She nodded, but didn't movie. Magnus trailed his hand up her spine, his fingers dancing on the back of her neck. He leaned in and kissed her there. "Or… well, we don't have to leave the room."
Emilia smiled, turning to face him. She wrapped her arms around his waist and he tilted his head down to kiss her. She pulled back after a brief kiss and smiled. "Much as I want that, and believe me, I do want," she said, running one hand down to squeeze below his waist. "I'm not one to make the first date a shag fest."
Magnus smiled, then kissed her forehead. "Fair enough. And for the record, neither am I. I just wanted - I mean I do want - I hope while we're here-"
She silenced him with a kiss.
"All in good time, dear," she said softly. She stepped back and grinned. "Besides, with our inability to keep our hands off each other, I don't think we'll have trouble creating the desire."
"You're right," he grinned. "It's just the timing."
"Exactly," she smiled, reaching up to ruffle his hair. "Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to get a shower in quickly before we go exploring. Unless you wanted to-"
He stepped to the side, gesturing, "After you."