Page 34 of Love and Other Trials
“I believe Bumper’s relations have come to visit.” She peered over the deck and raised her hands in a theatrical show of horror. “Quick. Say ‘gator bites’ three times. It usually makes them go away.”
He snorted but eased his chair farther away from the railing. “Does not. If a gator isn’t going to respect the moment when a man wants to kiss a woman, he isn’t going to run from hearing ‘gator bites.’ Probably because it’s what he does. Gator bites. Not really intimidating.”
She choked on a laugh. “You’re completely right. Whoever named that dish was an idiot.”
“Exactly.” He turned back to her, leaning on the table, clearly flirting. “Now… Since we’re on a date, shall we go through the requisite questions?”
She clapped her hands. “Yes, please. Give me your best.”
He looked off into the setting sun, gold washing over his chiseled profile. “Do you prefer a long walk on the beach or a cozy book?”
“Both.”
His head swung back to her. “So that’s how it’s going to be. No either/or for my beautiful Elizabeth.”
“Why choose?” She smiled as Maybelline set Sherlock’s water on the floor before putting their drinks and steaming hush puppies down on the table. “Thanks, Maybelline.”
“You’re welcome, honey. Y’all decided what you want to eat?”
“Everything with the word fried on it,” Dax answered. “I’ve heard it’s the best on the menu.”
Maybelline waved as a squawking seagull flew overhead and landed on the roof. “Everything, huh? Honey, you know that’s a whole bunch of food, right?”
He patted his flat abs, ones Ariel knew resembled a washboard. “I can handle it, and my date here doesn’t like to choose when she can have it all.”
She grinned at him. “What can I say? A girl likes what she likes.”
“Oh, good Lord, I’ll let you two do…whatever it is you’re doing.” Maybelline backed up with her hands up before turning around.
“Itisa lot of food.” She leaned closer, and he did the same, giving her his spicy, manly scent. “But I thank you for the buffet of flavors.”
“You’re quite welcome.” He folded his hands on the table, his concentration on her complete. “Now, what’s your best date question for me?”
She thought about it for a moment. “Boxers or briefs?”
He gave a mysterious grin. “Neither.”
Her belly tightened and a moan tried to rise up her throat. “Oh, sothat’show it’s going to be.”
“You asked.” He snagged her hand from the table and clasped it in his own. “I figured you should be prepared. In case you’re the fainting type. A woman named Elizabeth strikes me as such.”
She ran her thumb over the back of his strong, muscular hand, laughing. “You are too funny, but let me assure you of one thing.”
He leaned closer. “What’s that?” The heat in his eyes only outmatched the twinkle. Oh, how much more could he make her pulse race?
“I don’t faint, Stephan, and this girl can handle whatever you want to show me.”
His brows inched up. “Noted. Let me equally assure you that I’m the same way. You could ask me to skinny-dip tonight, and I’d go.”
“Forget it!” Her cry had another table glancing over. “There are gators out there.”
His powerful shoulders shook with laughter. “How about a late-night swim in the ocean?”
She blew out an aggrieved breath. “Unfortunately, the beach ordinances here are serious. No swimming after ten o’clock. I have a feeling skinny-dipping is illegal. The fines would be substantial?—”
He lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed the back of it, making her feel very much like an old-fashioned Elizabeth. She rather liked it.
“I knew you were a rule follower from the moment I met you. We have that in common.”
