Page 36 of Small Town Firsts
But I waited her out.
My fingers twisted into the heavy tangle of hair while my other hand dug into the belt loops I found at her waist.
“Let me take you home, Kira,” I said against her mouth.
Her amber eyes fluttered open. Questions and worries swirled in the gold. It seemed like there were always worries living there. As if she didn’t trust anything, even herself.
Suddenly her eyes cleared and she nodded.
Before she could find a reason to change her mind, I lifted her off the tailgate and brought her to the passenger door.
“You don’t have to keep carrying me.”
“I like carrying you.”
The words felt heavier than I intended, but no less true. I had a strong feeling not many people thought she needed that kind of support. She was so capable and sturdy in every way.
Not just in her lush body that I craved, but in the absolute capability she wore like a shield. Even the most self-sufficient people needed a little care. In fact, knowing the strong and self-reliant women in my own family, they needed it most.
I hiked her up on my waist to get my hand free for the handle and grinned up at her when she gripped my shoulders with a startled gasp.
“I won’t drop you.”
When her brow furrowed, I simply nipped her chin, rewarded when her mouth dropped open with the stark pleasure that bloomed between us like a summer wildflower.
I set her inside the truck and swung her legs gently under the dash. She dragged those long, capable fingers down my chest, and the urge to splay her out on the bench-style seat was overwhelming.
But I knew she deserved more. Needed to know that I would worship her for tonight and forev?—
Best not to go there. Maybe I needed the one day at a time as much as she did.
Even if it killed me.
I pulled the seatbelt over her shoulder and harnessed her in before she could complain about that too.
Slamming the door, I went around the back of the truck to relatch the tailgate and give myself a second to get under control.
An older lady was walking to her car. She had her hand hooked into the crook of her husband’s arm. She had a huge smile on her face, and a twinkle in her faded denim eyes.
“I remember those days, don’t you, Harold?”
He patted her hand. “I’ll tuck you into the truck, Genie. We still have some spark in us.”
She patted his arm. “Save the spark for home.”
I laughed and gave them a two-finger salute before I climbed in.
Kira was already scrunching herself down in her seat.
“Ashamed to be with me?”
She squared her shoulders. “It’s not that.”
“Isn’t it though?” I turned over the engine.
Her head snapped up to face forward and her arms crossed.
Great. I knew how to step in it when it came to this woman. My tires dipped and the shocks absorbed what they could, but the gravel wasn’t kind this far to the left of the parking lot.
