Page 19 of Giddy-Up
By some miracle, Riley was actually starting to relax.Enough to dig back into her dinner and even instigate a new conversation.
“I actually love to cook, too,” she said in between bites.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.My dad taught me.He’d take me fishing every Sunday, then we’d go home and cook what we caught.He made the best smoked trout.”The thought of those Sunday’s still brought a smile to her face.
“Well, I know what we’re doing on our second date now.”
“What?”Her head tilted with the question.
“I’m taking you fishing.Then, we’re gonna come back here and make us some smoked trout.”
“Really?”she squeaked, not at all hiding her excitement.
“Really.”He was giving her that look again.The one from this morning.The one that made her heart jump.“You know, we’re going to be building a restaurant on-site.It’s going to be in the old red barn.”
“You are?That’s so awesome.Are you going to do farm to table?”
“Farm to what now?”
“Farm to table,” she repeated.“It just means you use what you have here on the ranch, like meat from your cattle, fish from the river, freshly grown vegetables...that kind of thing.It’s pretty trendy right now, and slightly hipsterish, but I think it’s a cool concept and it can actually keep food costs down.”
After that, conversation got so much easier.Mostly because for once, she had so much to say about food.They talked more about the benefits of setting up a farm to table restaurant and she told him all about the article she’d read about the sustainability aspect of it.She fully geeked out when they discussed the environmental impact and at one point she might have even offered to be the chef.She was only half-joking.But still, she mentally congratulated herself for making Wade laugh again.On purpose.
It was the perfect night.They talked about food.They ate food.And she had the best view in town.Wade’s dimples.
The date was going so well, she forgot to try and pretend to be normal.Her freak flag was flying all over the place, but Wade either didn’t seem to notice or didn’t care.She was obviously hoping for the latter.
Before she knew it, the date was over.She’d done it.She’d made it through dinner and enough orange juice to inflict some serious heartburn on most people.And she was okay.More than okay.Nerves were still bubbling beneath the surface as they walked toward her trailer but there was something else simmering too.Anticipation.And it only got stronger as they came to a standstill under the dimly lit walkway.
Despite the chill in the air, she was burning up, and she had no doubt a crimson flush was creeping up her neck.
This is where you throw yourself at him.
That was her plan.Or at least that was what she’d told herself.But Riley was beginning to realize that it had one major flaw.She could barely move let alone fling her body anywhere.
Being glued to the gravel didn’t seem to matter though.Not when Wade had no problem getting closer.So close she was worried he could hear how fast her heart was pounding.
“You’re biting your lip, petal.”His gaze darkened.“I’m trying to decide whether you want me to kiss you or get you the fuck out of here.”
This was it.Time to be brave.
Her mouth opened and for a second nothing came out.When she did speak, her words were hurried.So fast out of fear she’d change her mind.
“I don’t want you to get me the fuck out of here.”
He got the message.Loud and clear.Because within mere seconds, Wade’s head dipped, and his expert lips captured hers with ease.
This was nothing like when Tommy Anderson smacked her lips and ran away in fifth grade.Her one and only kiss.And it certainly wasn’t like in all those rom coms she watched, when the couple exchange sweet smiles before tenderly embracing under the starlit sky.
This felt so much different.Dangerous.Overwhelming.Riley’s neck stretched back as Wade pushed her mouth wider.As his tongue slid inside, a noise she didn’t recognize vibrated down her throat.Was that her?
She didn’t have time to care if it was as his hand went from cupping her cheek to fingering her hair.He was directing her, angling her, so he could get deeper.Every swipe of his tongue making her insides heat as more sounds filled the night.Charging the air and making her body shake.
Too soon, he pulled back.But he wasn’t done with her.His teeth clasped her lower lip as choppy breaths warmed her skin.
“Fuck,” he hissed.
