Page 66 of Kissing Chaos
“I can’t believe you remember that.”
“I remember everything about you.”
As the truck rolls to a stop, I hear him shift it into park. “Can I take off these blinders now?”
“Give me two seconds to get everything set, and then I’ll help you get out. Okay?”
“Okay, but if it takes more than three, I may have to assume that you are a serialist and that I need to take my chances and run.”
“Smartass.”
I stick my tongue out in response. As Noah’s door clicks open then closed, I start to fidget.
Yes, I agreed to this date.
Yes, I want this thing—this relationship—to thrive.
But what if whatever he has planned proves we aren’t as compatible as I think?
As my mind drifts to all the ways this could go horribly wrong, Noah startles me by opening the passenger door.
“Okay, miss. Let’s get you situated a few feet over here and I’ll remove the blindfold.”
As he guides me along, I note the crunch of grass and leaves under my shoes. The air is fresh, and it’s cool for a summer afternoon. I almost question him again but stop just as Noah brings my body into his, halting us. He slips the blindfold off and hugs my back to his front.
Staring in awe at the sight in front of me, I let myself lean into Noah’s hold, unsure how to convey my thoughts to him.
It’s perfect. Simple as that.
Noah’s old truck is parked on a hill in one of the ranch’s fields, a handful of horses grazing nearby. We’re far enough away from town that it’s quiet out, the noise pollution not reaching us. “What do you think, gorgeous? Worthy of a book boyfriend’s first date?”
All I can manage is an enthusiastic nod as I step closer to the tailgate, taking in the dozen blankets and pillows that create a comfortable snuggle spot in the bed of his truck. A speaker is situated on the tire well, the low hum of some old-town country floating through.
“You did all this for me?”
I squeal as he lifts me up into the bed, not expecting the sudden move but loving it all the same. He slides in next to me and slips his arm around me.
“I wanted to run through the town square screaming ‘Jett Taylor is my girl’ at the top of my lungs, but I figured that’d have you fleeing Havenwood and the town questioning what little sanity I possess.”
“Fair enough,” I say, unable to sort through my thoughts. This is the most thought-out, put-together date I’ve ever been on.
“We have subs from Jace’s place, dessert from the future home of The Write Brew, and Dr. Pepper. Also, plenty of blankets to snuggle in even if I’m partial to being snuggled instead,” says Noah.
“You are very snuggable,” I say, leaning into his side.
His arm wraps around me, tucking in at my waist and gently running a finger over the skin at the hem of my shirt. My head rests in the space between his neck and shoulder so naturally that I wonder how I ever thought Joey and I were right for each other.
Loving Noah is like breathing in fresh air for the first time.
Being loved by Noah? That shit is insane.
I never expected to find a man who trusts me implicitly, who understands and caters to my needs, or who wants me to succeed more than I do. Three-in-one package deal.
Tilting my chin until I can see his profile, I can’t help but grin. “I love you, Noah.”
He glances down and reaches his free hand to cup my cheek. His thumb glides along my lip before he leans in and gently teases my lips with his. As he sits back, the full grin on his face lights his eyes.
“I’ll never tire of hearing you say that. I love you, too. More than I ever thought I could.”
