Page 5 of Saving Shepperd

“Hmm, as nice as that sounds, I’m driving. Better not,” she replied with a frown.

“One more and we’ll see where the night goes?” I asked hopefully. I thought she was way more at ease now that she had a few glasses of wine in her, and I really didn’t want the night to end. I wouldn’t presume she wanted to spend the night, but I definitely wouldn’t turn her down if things went in that direction.

“See? This is why I’m going to call you Danger. You’re very tempting. Seductive without trying.” She looked down with that shyness again. Her age became noticeably younger in that moment.

So I asked the dreaded question. It was the point a guy either became completely freaked out or way more interested. And God, I wanted the second option with more hope than I should feel about a girl I barely knew.

“Can I ask how old you are? I think we’ve all gotten a little too used to these online dating apps where you get a fact list about the person before you even start talking to someone. Since we met in person first, some of these things seem awkward to just outright ask. So, I’m sorry if I’m coming across as bold.” It felt like I was rambling out of nervousness and was acutely aware of not liking the feeling.

She studied me before answering. “I’m twenty-two. What about you? I’m thinking you’re at least five or maybe seven years older than I am.”

“Does that bother you?” I asked rather than admit I just turned thirty.

“I wouldn’t be here if it did, would I?”

I grinned at her sassy reply. “No, I guess you wouldn’t. I don’t get the impression you do anything other than exactly what you want to do. Exactly when you want to do it.”

“Hmm, well, sometimes I do. I used to be a major pushover.” She shook her head and said, “Not anymore, though. Those days are done.”

She finished that comment with solid conviction, and I wanted to ask more questions. It seemed like something in particular brought about the change, but I didn’t feel comfortable enough yet to get that personal. I’d store it away, though, for another time. There was a sadness lurking in her, and that comment brought it to the forefront.

An uncomfortable silence grew between us, and I scooped her hand into mine and gave it a soft squeeze.

Finally, she met my eyes again, and unexplainably, I said, “I’m sorry.”

With a slight tilt to her head, she asked, “Sorry? For what?”

“I’m not sure,” I forced a small laugh. “You looked sad all of a sudden, and I thought if it was something I said, I should apologize. It was the last thing I was going for,” I assured her.

“No, I’m not sad. A little tired. Maybe that’s what you’re picking up on,” she lied. Terribly. I knew the difference between sad and sleepy but decided to drop it and move on. I wasn’t looking to ruin the night.

“Well, you’re more than welcome to spend the night here. I have several guest rooms, so you don’t have to drive if you’re too tired.”

“That’s very sweet of you,” she said but gave no hint if she’d take me up on the offer. “You never answered my question,” she reminded as she wove her fingers through mine and waited.

“You were very close. I’m thirty.”

“I’m a little surprised you haven’t settled down already,” she said with a smile, but I wasn’t sure if she was teasing or not.

“Most of my friends are still single. I have a couple in long-term relationships, but other than that…” Why did I feel like I was defending my life choices here?

After giving my hand a gentle squeeze, she said, “I meant because you’re obviously a very eligible man. I’m surprised some woman hasn’t staked her claim on you already,” she hurried to explain, maybe sensing my defensiveness.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to sound so defensive. I get a lot of shit from my parents about not finding a nice girl to settle down with. I think the minute I hear anything that sounds like that, I shift into a defensive posture. But you didn’t deserve all that.”

She put her other hand on my forearm and looked me right in the eye while saying, “Law, it’s fine. Stop apologizing for everything. I’m not the kind of girl who takes everything the wrong way. I knew what you meant while you were saying it.”

“You’re very smart for such a young lady.”And please don’t stop touching me.Both spots where her hands made contact with my body were noticeably heating up.

“Does our age difference bother you?” she asked pointedly. Fair enough, I had asked her something similar only minutes before.

“No, not at all,” I replied without thought. Because honestly, it didn’t.

We sat for a few beats and just took each other in. The woman was so damn beautiful, I couldn’t decide where to settle my gaze. She smiled while lifting her refilled glass to her mouth, and I tracked her slow movement. I wanted to taste the wine on her lips more than anything else.

After setting my own drink on the coffee table, I slid across the cushion that separated us, took her drink, and set it beside mine.

“Can I kiss you?” I asked, intentionally letting my voice settle deeper in my throat.

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