Page 22 of The Dating Dare

“Because it came from my kitchen. Icanmake a sandwich.”

“It looks fantastic. I’m pretty impressed.” She gave him a playful shove on his shoulder. “I guess this is my first taste of a date with Seth Kim.”

“Only the first. There’s plenty more to taste,” he said in a low, delicious voice.

Tara’s pants caught on fire. But she doused it with her icy cold will. If she was going to survive four dates with Seth, she couldn’t let her attraction loose. She had a feeling that it would be insatiable.

“Neat. Can we eat?” she said in as casual a voice as she could manage.

“Yes, please.” He handed her a plate with a half triangle of BLT and a scoop of lovely fruit salad. She picked up the sandwich and took a bite. The hint of nervousness on Seth’s face made her heartgo squishy. She had to remind herself a squishy heart was also not acceptable as part of the dare.Remember to keep it casual.

“This is literally the best BLT I’ve ever had,” she gushed, taking another bite. The salty, savory bacon was abundant and crunchy without being tough. With the crisp lettuce, juicy tomato, and just the right amount of creamy mayo, the sandwich was heaven between sliced bread. “I guess the Kim brothers have a knack in the kitchen.”

“Not in the least. Landon’s the cook. Sandwiches are about the only thing that I can make, and throwing together a fruit salad isn’t exactly cooking. I got fresh fruit, chopped them up, and tossed them together. I can’t take credit for it tasting good.”

“No way. Is this seriously happening? Am I truly witnessing Seth Kim being humble?”

“I’m being completely honestandfeeding you. The least you can do is not insult me with your mouth full.” Seth nudged her outstretched leg with his foot.

That little touch of his big toe meeting her calf felt like a heat pack being pressed against her skin. Trying not to be obvious, Tara stretched out her foot to nudge him back. Seth dodged her with a smirk.

“I amnotinsulting you,” she insisted. “I really think humility is a good look on you.”

Being a little sneakier this time, she successfully made contact with his calf. Her foot rejoiced.Wow. Was every part of his body as rock hard as what she’d just felt? Inquiring girl parts wanted to know.

“Was that a compliment?” Seth widened his eyes to cherub-level wonder. “I didn’t even perceive it as such since it’s so impossibly rare from you… like unicorns.”

This time she went for a lightning-fast kick to his shin, her fullplate bobbing on her thighs. But Seth moved quicker. He stopped her attack within inches from his shin with a strong grip on her ankle. She squealed and jerked reflexively. His hand felt like a molten iron clamp.

“Lemme go.” She wiggled against his grasp. “You almost made me spill my food.”

“Ialmost made you? You’re the one who tried to kick me.”

“Okay. Okay. I promise not to kick you if you let me go.”

“Should I trust you?”

“Only someone gullible would trust me right now.” In the same motion, she put aside her plate and delivered a playful kick to his biceps with her other leg. Startled, he let go of her ankle to block any further attacks. She didn’t attack physically but couldn’t resist one last jab. “See, gullible.”

Pushing away his food, he lunged for her, pressing her torso into the soft blanket-covered grass. “I’ve learned my lesson.”

He held her hands over her head, and she felt as though she’d had the wind knocked out her. Her heartbeat ratcheted up to a fast jog as awareness seeped into her veins like warm honey. All she had to do was lift her head off the ground a few inches to test whether his lips were as soft and plush as they looked. His gorgeous face was only a hand span away from hers, and he smelled like… pineapple and bacon. Her stomach growled.

“I’m hungry,” she said breathlessly.

“So am I,” he said in a low growl.

Her stomach growled more insistently this time. It was the perfect excuse to get out of a dangerously tempting position. “For food. I’m hungry for food.”

Blinking rapidly, Seth released her wrists and helped her sit up. “Yeah. I meant for food as well.”

She smiled slyly, preening with feminine pride. “You should eat something quick. You look like you’re about to pass out from… hunger.”

Without responding, he grabbed a triangle of BLT from the box and ate it in two bites. He was embarrassed. How sweet was that? Feeling content, Tara bit into her sandwich and glanced around the park. The green grass seemed to stretch on forever from their spot underneath the tree, and the blue sky looked almost within reach. She ate in easy silence, soaking up the moment. But in a few minutes, a gaggle of children’s voices drowned the silence.

“School must be out early today,” Tara said, watching a half dozen kids racing toward a tree near their picnic spot.

“Should we take cover?” Seth asked.

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