Page 79 of Somewhere You Belong

“Yes, Goose.Sheis my pride and joy, so all I ask is that you show some respect.”

Her eyes narrow as she says, “Then stop calling me Goose. Otherwise, your car is just plainold, Dallas.”

I smack her ass gently right before she sits down. “Watch it, babe.”

Her jaw hangs open as I shut her door and round the front of the car. Once I situate myself inside, she turns to me and says, “Did you just smack my ass?”

“Yeah, I did. And there’s more where that came from. I have a feeling that sass of yours has never been challenged, but that’s about to change tonight.”

“And what if I’m not on board with that?”

I twist in my seat, resting my forearm over the back of her headrest, leaning forward slightly so there’s very little space between us. “Let me ask you something.” She purses her lips but waits for me to continue. “When I slapped your ass did your body warm up? Did heat flash under your skin and travel down between your legs?” She swallows but doesn’t answer. So I lean in closer and whisper, “If I slipped my hand under your dress right now, would your panties be wet?”

“Dallas…”

“I think you and I both know the answer to that question, don’t we, Willow?”

She lets out a growl that makes my lips curl up, pleased that I’ve read her correctly, and so fucking excited to show her just how fun giving up control can be.

Hell, she’s already let her hair down for the evening—time to let it fly in the wind.

Before she can tell me off, I lean over all the way, gently place my lips on hers, and remind her of our connection. And when I break the kiss too soon, she groans in frustration.

Now you might understand how frustrated you’ve made me since the moment we met, Willow.

“So, are you ready for me to show you a night out in Carrington Cove?”

Huffing out her defeat, she tilts her head at me and says, “Fine.”

Laughing, I check over my shoulder to back out onto the road. “You sound soexcited about it.”

“Honestly, I’m nervous, Dallas.” She huffs and then slaps her palm to her forehead. “Jesus, I can’t believe I just admitted that.”

I cast a glance at her before focusing back on the road, heading up the coast to a spot I want to show her. “How come?”

She fiddles with her fingers in her lap. “I, uh…haven’t been on a date in a long time.”

“How long?”

She winces and then turns to me and says, “Since college.”

I nearly run a red light, slamming on the brakes before I do. “Shit. I’m sorry.” Gripping the steering wheel, I continue, “But seriously? That long? How old are you?”

“Thirty-four, and don’t you know it’s not polite to ask a woman her age?”

Huffing out a laugh, I say, “I wasn’t trying to insinuate that you’re old. Just needed a frame of reference.”

“I’ve just been really busy.” She shrugs, looking out her window as the light turns green, avoiding my eyes now. “The last thing I was thinking about was my love life.”

“I get that.” I don’t want to give her a complex, but part of me wonders if there’s another reason she hasn’t dated. I know I had my reasons for keeping women at arm’s length, which is why when I felt myself being pulled into her orbit, I had to fight to stop resisting it. “My time in the service kept me from wanting to grow attached to anyone, and then when I returned home, I dove headfirst into making my business thrive.”

“Well, so did I.”

“You own your own business? I thought you were in advertising.”

Her spine straightens and then she says, “I own my own advertising firm back in D.C., Dallas. Marshall Advertising.”

“Holy shit. That’s impressive, Willow.”

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