Page 41 of Wrecked for Love
As I pulled up, I gave the engine a good rev, hoping she’d hear me coming and save me from standing at the door. Jumping out of my truck, I made sure my boots hit the ground with purpose—anything to get her attention before I had to press the bell. By the time I reached the lowest step of the porch, Claire opened the door.
She took my breath away. The pink dress skimmed her curves with the right amount of temptation, the hemline teasing just above the knee. Frills framed the neckline and sleeves, not the over-the-top, girly kind, but subtle and elegant—enough to accentuate her natural beauty.
My eyes drifted lower, taking in her long, shapely legs, made even more alluring by those heels she wore. I’d suspected she’d wear them. They weren’t ideal for what I had in mind, but I was already prepared for that.
“What are you doing just standing there?” Claire smirked sideways, one hand on her hip.
“Waiting for you,” I replied.
She was so carefree. Maybe it was the Buffaloberry effect, or maybe it was me—I’d like to think it was me. Whatever the reason, when she opened her arms, I couldn’t resist. I stepped forward and pulled her into a tight hug. The scent of her hair, fresh and divine, filled my lungs.
Her hands pressed firmly against my back, and for a moment, it felt like I was stepping into another life. The date hadn’t even started, but I was already breaking the cardinal rule—I wanted it to be so much more.
“Ready?” I asked as we finally let go.
“You don’t want to come in?” She motioned toward the open door. From where I stood, I could see how she’d transformed the living room. The soft yellows, sage tones, and neutral plaids in the upholstery made the place look like it belonged in a Country Living magazine spread.
“We should get going,” I said, trying to steady myself.
“Well, okay. Let me grab my purse.” She darted inside and returned in a flash with her purse in hand before locking the door behind her.
“You look amazing,” I said, offering my hand to help her up into the truck.
“And you look very handsome,” she replied, eyeing my checkered shirt—or maybe more what lay behind the slightly open buttons.
As we drove, the air between us buzzed with something unspoken, something exciting. Every now and then, I’d catch her adjusting her dress or smoothing her hair, and I couldn’t help but wonder if she was doing it for me.
“So where are we going?” she asked.
I smirked and took a turn away from our actual destination. “That’s a secret.” Then, trying to sound casual, I added, “Hey, has Armand Voss been bothering you again?”
“No. Haven’t seen him around.”
“Good. Good.” I nodded, though I knew Armand too well. He wouldn’t stay gone for long. “Nobody else bothering you?”
“You mean asking me out on a date?” She shot me a wink.
“That too.”
She giggled. “No. It’s been quiet.”
I didn’t quite believe her. A woman as stunning as Claire in Buffaloberry Hill? She had to be getting date proposals left and right. But I was just glad she’d said yes to mine.
After taking a few random detours, I glanced over and said, “Okay, now close your eyes.”
She did so, trusting me completely.
I finally headed toward our real destination. “Keep them closed,” I instructed, noticing her fidgeting, clearly impatient—but in that happy, giddy way.
Then, a bark.
“Wait…is that…?”
Of course. That mutt just couldn’t help himself despite my frantic attempts earlier to get him to hush. Koda, always blowing my carefully laid plans. Claire was too sharp not to recognize that bark.
“Eyes closed! Eyes closed!” I half-laughed, half-pleaded, trying desperately to cling to the last shred of surprise. Sure, the dog might’ve given away a bit of the plan, but the spot itself? That was still a secret.
I stopped the truck, jumped out, and hurried around to her side.
