Page 40 of To Build a Home
I nod. “Yeah, it’s just this is the first time Gabby has spent the full night away from me, and I guess I was just lost in my thoughts.”
“Just say the word and we end the night and go pick her up, okay?” And just like that, I think I fell even harder for him.
“No, I want this—with you.”
His hand moves from my thigh and grabs my hand, bringing our clasped hands to his lips.Oh hello, butterflies, nice of you to make another appearance.
“I want this, too, but just say the word. Really, I don’t mind. I know this might be a little harder on you.”
Tears burn behind my eyes. How did this man get to be so romantic and say the right things? And more importantly, how has someone not snatched him up?
A horn beeps behind us, causing our staring contest to end, and we both turn forward to realize the light is now green.Rhyland continues to drive but leaves our hands entwined. I can make it through tonight. I just need to focus on the present and remember that Gabby is in perfectly capable hands.
Eventually, Rhyland pulls into an all-too-familiar parking lot.
“Umm, why are we at work? Did you forget something?”
“No, this is where we’re going.” Rhy’s expression gives nothing away, as if it makes total sense.Maybe for him, but for me? Not so much.“Do you trust me?”
I nod without hesitation.
“Good.” He hops out of the truck and runs around to my side. When he opens the door and holds out his hand to help me down, I’m pretty sure I die a little on the inside.This freaking man is pulling out all the stops tonight.
“Why, thank you, kind sir. And they say chivalry is dead,” I joke, and he smirks.
“You are a queen and deserve to be treated as such.”Okay,nowI’m officially dead.
“What happens if one of my brothers drives by? Will they stop if they see your truck?”
“Nah, they’re used to seeing my truck here at all hours of the night and on days off. I’ve spent probably more nights here than at home. Remember when I said I wasn’t home much when you moved in? It was because I was here and didn’t have a reason to be home alone.”
Rhyland pins me against the passenger door. Tipping my chin with his forefinger, he presses his lips to mine, and if it weren’t for the truck holding me up behind me, I would’ve melted into a pile of goo right here in the parking lot. Will all his kisses always feel like that? Even when they’re brief, I feel them everywhere.
One thing is for sure: this man knows how to fucking kiss. I don’t want to think about all the practice he’s had over the years. Maybe in my head, I can just pretend he became a magical kisserby practicing on his pillow or hand and not on all the girls I remember him with growing up.
“Now, come on.” He smiles, lacing our fingers together and leading me toward the back entrance of Tilley’s. Never once does he release my hand as he unlocks the door, steps inside, and turns off the alarm. I have no idea what we are doing here or how the night will go, but I have to say I’m quite excited to find out what he has planned.
Chapter 21
Payton
I’ve convinced myself that at some point today, I fell and this is all a dream, just like inThe Wizard of Oz. Any minute now, the dancing munchkins and flying monkeys will appear because there’s no way that this is my life right now. A discreet pinch to the inside of my arm tells me nope, definitely not a dream.
I don’t know what I did to deserve this man, but oh my, is he setting the bar high for first dates—or, well, dates and men in general.
Turns out after his trip to the farmer’s market this morning, Rhyland spent the rest of the day here, preparing for tonight. I’m currently sitting on the counter, balancing a glass of white wine on my knee, as I watch Rhyland move around the kitchen. He does it with such grace and finesse. It reminds me of an ice skater gliding on ice. They make it look so easy, yet I know it’s not.
My cheeks heat when I catch Rhyland for the sixth—or is it maybe the seventh time?—sneaking a glance my way. I follow his gaze to find a good portion of my thigh exposed from how I’m sitting with my legs crossed. If I was worried about my dress choice before, I’m definitely not now. I think it’s safe to say Rhyland is a big fan. I take a large sip of wine, attempting to cool myself down. The temperature in the kitchen is definitely heating up.
“Are you sure there’s nothing I can do to help?” I dip my chin, sticking my bottom lip out in a pout. “Not that I mind the view, but I feel like I’m a little helpless here.” The man cooks in here every day, and here he is also doing it on his day off. The least I could do is help.
Rhy laughs. “You’re not going to stop asking that until I let you help, are you?”
“I am quite stubborn like that,” I say, putting my cheesiest smile on display and batting my eyelashes.
“Isn’t that the truth?” he mutters under his breath, but loud enough for me to hear him. “How about slicing the tomato for the caprese salad?”
“Are these from Terri?” I take in the vibrant red tomatoes that look so delicious, I’m tempted to take a bite out of one like an apple.
