Page 15 of Her Paramedic
“This is delicious,” she stated, eyes meeting his, and she damn near gasped at the look in them. Those green eyes had darkened, and it was easy to read them. “Slate?”
“If that’s the noise you make for good food, I can only imagine what sweet little noises you make inothersituations.”
Talia wasn’t sure what she’d expected him to say, but it hadn’t been that, in public, with people within hearing distance. Yet, she shouldn’t have been surprised. Everything about him screamed confidence, and she could get behind a man who said what was on his mind. She got the feeling that was him all the time, and she would never have to guess what he was thinking. She cleared her throat as she changed the subject.
“What made you settle down here? I’m assuming you didn’t grow up in the area.”
“When I was discharged, Ace was looking for partners for the security firm. It was tiny at the time, him and two other guys, but he was looking to expand. He approached our friend group to see if we wanted to partner with him. I asked if he’d accept a silent partner, and when he said yes, Killian and I agreed. We split the expansion costs with him, which was more like a start-up. I decided it would be a good passive income while I went through the paramedic course. The firm is based in Denver, and I wanted to be close in case he needed anything, but not in a big city, and there were openings in Pueblo.”
“What made you choose Denver for your firm’s location?”
“It’s where Ace grew up. After his final deployment, he transitioned to reservist, and he moved back to start the firm.” He paused momentarily. “Did you grow up in Colorado Springs?”
“I did, and believe it or not, even though it’s not that far of a drive, I’ve only been here twice for hair shows.”
Slate raised a brow at her. “You didn’t take in the city?” Talia shook her head. “Then I think you’ll enjoy what I have planned for the day.”
When they finished lunch, they headed to their next destination.
«-•-•-•-•-•-•-»
Slate watched Talia as she looked at the birds. Their second stop was the zoo, and they’d been there for almost an hour, looking at the different animals and feeding the elephants. He didn’t want them to stay out there too long because, while they were having warmer weather than the past few days, it was still cold. The birds were their last stop, and then they would head to their next destination.
He wrapped his arm around her waist, and she looked over her shoulder at him. Slate knew he technically might not have been moving at her definition of slow, but he was trying because she asked him to. That was why he’d only kissed her when she arrived.
“Let’s take a picture with the birds, then I have somewhere else I want to take you.”
Slate handed her his phone to let her take it and then led her to the exit.
“Will you send that picture to me when you get a chance?” she asked.
He picked up his phone from the cupholder he’d put it in and handed it to her. “Go ahead, gorgeous.” There was nothing to hide. She was the only person he was pursuing, and he preferred to earn her trust rather than expect her to give it unquestioningly.
When they pulled into the small shopping center’s parking lot, he found a spot and led her to the correct storefront.
“Ooh, we’re doing a paint and sip,” she stated.
“Yes, but with a twist. Since Christmas is next week, we’ll be making ornaments.”
Slate checked them in, and they ordered a drink before being shown to a craft table. The supplies were already on the table, and he looked them over. From what he could tell, they would make at least two ornaments.
“Speaking of the holidays, do you have big plans?” Talia asked.
“I’m going to see my parents for Christmas and going to Maximus’ party for the new year. What about you?”
“I’m spending Christmas with our friend group. Since my parents visited for Thanksgiving, they won’t return until late spring after classes are out.”
Their conversation was paused as the instructor introduced themselves and went through the spiel of what they’d be making. They showed them the ending designs and placed them on a table for reference before giving them the first few steps.
“Your parents live in Australia, correct?” He resumed their conversation as they began their ornaments.
“Yes, in Brisbane. Courtney teaches at one of the universities. Where are your parents settled?”
“They retired to sunny Florida.”
There was a lull in conversation as they received their next instructions. With them, the ornaments were halfway done, and Slate figured most of their time would be spent decorating them.
“So, no plans for New Year’s, then?”
