Page 44 of Take My Name
We need to leave the past in the past, and I need to prove that to him during these next six days.
There’s no reason to confuse our familiarness with chemistry. He lives here and enjoys the slow-moving life. I did too at one point, but now I thrive on staying busy and having a packed schedule.
Even though he said no heels, I think cowboy boots and a sundress will work for a picnic. Assuming he’s not making me climb up a mountain to get to said picnic.
“Where’re you headed?” Mama asks before I can sneak out the front door.
Well, not so much assneakingas I didn’t want her to notice.
Licking my lips, I avert my gaze. “He’s takin’ me on a picnic. No big deal.”
She purses her lips, but the disappointment flashes across her face.
“As friends,” I add. “I told him nothin’ was gonna happen between us.”
“And you believe that?”
Crossing my arms, I nod. “Yes, Mama. I told you why I’m doin’ this, so you need to trust me.”
“I do, sweetheart. It’shimI don’t trust.”
I blow out a breath, drop my arms, and lean in to kiss her cheek. “I’ll see you when I get back.”
As soon as I pull into Warren’s driveway, I find him waiting for me—on a four-wheeler.
“Please tell me we’re not…” I motion toward the death machine.
His eyes lower down my body, to my boots, and then back up to my face. They’re full of heat and confusion.
“You said no heels,” I explain. “You didn’t say no dress.”
He bites the inside of his cheek, holding in a laugh. “Fair point, but you’re gonna wanna tuck your dress in between your thighs.”
I don’t know why that makes my neck go hot, but I ignore it.
“I’m sure I’ll be fine.” I drag my palms down my sides, hoping like hell I can tame it enough so it doesn’t blow up in the wind.
“Alright, well, hop on.” He scoots forward.
“I thought we were goin’ on a picnic.”
“We are. I brought everythin’ up there already.”
“Up where?” I ask, grabbing onto his shoulder so I can climb on behind him.
He glances over his shoulder, smirking. “You’ll see.”
When the four-wheeler rumbles to life, the vibrations shake against my exposed legs, and I quickly tuck the material underneath them as much as I can.
“Ready?” He speaks loudly over the noise. “You’re gonna need to hang onto me.”
“Um…where?”
Without responding, he grabs my hands with both of his and wraps them around his waist. Then he pulls them tighter around him until my chest is pressed against his back.
“Hang on and don’t let go,” are his final words before taking off down his driveway.
I haven’t been on one of these since before we got married. High school, probably. He’d take me on rides all around the ranch and resort, up the trails into the mountains, and sometimes race with his best friend, who’d come over and add to the chaos.
