Page 10 of Dating the Bad Boy

“No. I read it like a lady,” she says.

“And what do you read?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” she asks, laughing.

“Uh, fuck yeah. Why do you think I’m asking?”

“Do you watch porn?”

“I did occasionally when I was younger, but not so much now.” I shrug.

“Why not?”

“Don’t see the point.”

“Why not?”

“You want the truth?” I cock a brow at her. “Wasn’t sure my dick even knew how to work anymore until about an hour and a half ago. Why watch a bunch of people fuck on screen when it didn’t do anything for me? Apparently, you’re the only thing that does that, gorgeous girl.”

Her mouth falls open, her doe eyes going wide.

“Yeah,” I murmur, gently sliding her mouth closed with a finger beneath her chin. “I said it.”

She stares at me for a long moment and then giggles abruptly. “I probably shouldn’t like that as much as I do,” she admits.

“You should,” I disagree. “You definitely fucking should, Leslie.” I lean close, brushing my lips across her cheek. “I certainly fucking like it.”

She whimpers, a sweet little sound that makes my balls ache.

I groan, pulling back slightly to grab the picnic basket. “Tell me something else about you before I forget to feed you.”

“Um, I wanted to be a rodeo girl when I was little.”

I stop fishing stuff out of the basket to stare at her. “Are you fucking with me?”

“Nope,” she says. “It seemed like fun.”

“Have you ever been to a rodeo?”

She wrinkles her nose. “That’s why I changed my mind, Asa. I went to one and realized that I don’t like dirt very much. There is dirt everywhere at rodeos.” Her lips purse into an adorable pout. “There are also clowns. Immediately, no.”

I throw my head back, laughing loudly. Jesus Christ. This girl is fucking perfect. I don’t care what it takes, I’m making her mine. There is no other option. She’s it for me. Fuck timelines or going slow or being rational. This girl is my future wife.

I feel it in my bones.

CHAPTER 4

LESLIE

If someone had toldme a week ago that I’d be on a moonlit picnic with Asa, I would have thought they were living in some alternate universe. Spoiler alert! Here I am, nestled in the suit jacket that smells like him—all earthy and woodsy with a hint of spice. Sitting on a log in front of a crackling fire pit with him, I watch as the flames dance and flicker, casting a warm glow around us.

I can hardly believe my eyes when I glance around at the charm of the place. The stars are out in full force, twinkling overhead, and the gentle sound of the falls mixes with the night air making it all feel like a movie.

I look down at the picnic spread he laid out for us. A warm, wool, checkered blanket, some fruit, cheese, and a bottle of my favorite soda because we both dislike the taste of wine, one of many little quirks we share. Asa really went for it, and I love it. No pretentiousness. Just two people enjoying each other’s company while learning about each other.

As we munch on grapes and cheese, I let the ease of it all wash over me. I tell him about my parents’ car dealership and my never-ending dreams of thrilling adventures beyond the horizon of my mundane life. Asa listens intently, genuinely interested, as I share little snippets of my world.

“You’re fucking perfect.” His warm breath brushes against the side of my neck, sending shivers shooting down my spine.

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