Page 21 of Levi

“Grant only buys local, so that’s a local rancher’s beef.”

“It’s good he does that.”

“Yes.”

They continued their meals in a comfortable silence. She was anxious to get out of here butdidn’t want to rush it. He looked so handsome tonight. She wanted to rip the buttons off his dark blue dress shirt to see what was under it. Raising her eyes, she met his and watched him glance at her lips then back into her eyes. She could feel the heat in her cheeks, and he raised his eyebrow.

“Why are you blushing all of a sudden, when just moments ago you were teasing me?” he asked.

“You think I was teasing you?”

“Yes, from the moment I picked you up.”

She shrugged nonchalantly. “If that’s what you believe.”

Levi grinned. “I do.”

She chuckled in response. “Okay then.”

“So, tell me the truth,” he demanded playfully as he lifted his glass and took a sip.

“I was picturing ripping those buttons off your shirt,” she admitted with a cheeky smirk.

He inhaled sharply and began coughing as his drink went down the wrong way. Kinley couldn’t hold back her laughter at his reaction.

“Damn, don’t say things like that,” he said when he was able to talk.

“You said you wanted the truth.” Kinley shrugged.

Once they finished eating, the server placed the leather check holder on the table, and Levi placed his credit card in it.

A few minutes later, the server returned with the receipt. Levi signed it and added a tip, then he stood, helped Kinley up, and held her coat for her. Once he pulled on his coat, they walked out of the restaurant. He held her hand as they madetheir way across the parking lot.

At the truck, he opened the door for her and held her hand until she sat on the seat. She kept her feet on the running board, staring at him and watched him smirk.

“Get in, Kinley.”

Kinley grinned. “Yes, sir.”

He shook his head as she swung her legs into the truck, then he closed the door, walked around to the driver’s side, got in, started the truck, and drove out of the lot.

“Levi—”

“Nope. Not one word,” he said, making her snort out a laugh.

She saw him grin, but she remained silent.

****

Levi pulled into her driveway, put the truck in gear, wrapped his fingers around the steering wheel, staring straight ahead.

“Do you want to come in?”

He glanced at her, then looked away. He opened the door, stepped out and made his way around the truck. He opened her door and put his hand out to her. She placed hers in it. He wanted her so much.

Kinley stepped from the truck, led him to the door, then unlocked it. She pushed it open, then looked at him. Their eyes held. She smiled, put her fingers in the belt loops of his jeans and pulled him into the house while walking backwards.

Once they were inside, she pushed the door closed, locked it, then moved away from him andtook her coat off, and he did the same. They hung them up and she walked to the middle of the room, still staring at him.

---