Page 60 of Take Me Home

“What? No. Why?” Her face burned bright red.

“You were staring,” I taunted.

“Was I? Sorry.”

I chuckled. “Don’t be sorry. I don’t mind if you like what you see. I prefer it, actually.”

She covered her face with her hands, giving out a muffled, “Oh, God.”

“Why don’t you tell me what caught your eye?”

“No!” She tucked her head further down, looking at me through her fingers.

“Darcy, we’re on a date, not working on the farm. You can relax. Let’s have a little fun,” I coaxed her. “I’ll start. You’re cute when you’re flustered.”

“I am not flustered!” she insisted.

“Oh, you are so flustered right now,” I said, dancing my voice.

“Keep it up and I’ll turn on the girly 90’s country,” she warned.

“That’s not a problem for me. Bring it on,” I said casually.

She let out a frustrated groan. “Taylor Swift?”

“I’m a certified Swifter.”

“It’s Swifties! And you’re a scoundrel,” she said into her hands.

“A scoundrel?! Scoundrel, Darcy? You really are the Queen of Appalachia. Besides, you and I both know I’m a perfect gentleman. Now, why don’t you tell me what’s got you so flustered?”

She kept her hands over her face, squealing in protest. “Your arms,” she said after a pause.

“What was that? Do I need to stop the truck to hear you better?” I put my hand to my ear and leaned toward her.

She pulled her hands away from her face and smacked my arm. “You heard me, asshole.”

“Are you calling this man with the sexy arms an asshole? The mouth on you, Rossetti, I swear!”

She laughed quietly at first, then full-on cackling.

“There, I cracked you,” I said, satisfied. “And just in time, because we’re here.”

I parked and jumped out of the truck to get Darcy’s door, but she was too fast for me. “I was gonna get your door!” I protested as we walked together toward the restaurant, throwing my arm around her shoulders.

“Sorry. I’m quick on the draw,” she shrugged. “You’ll have to be faster next time.”

At the door, I pressed my hand into her lower back to lead her forward and heard her sweet sigh.She likes the touches.

I stood close behind her in line to order, thirsty to touch her as much as possible. I leaned down to whisper in her ear. “It’s no North Carolina barbecue. Hope that’s alright,” I said. A shiver ran up her spine. She pressed back into me to respond, so I placed a hand on her waist and craned my neck back down to hear her.

“I wouldn’t expect them to try. It’s hard to imitate. Kinda like bourbon outside of Kentucky.”

She met my gaze and I flashed her a dimply smile. The depth of her brown doe eyes was stunning. I tried not to stare too long.

“I was just giving you a hard time back there, little one. I didn’t really upset you, did I?”

She gave an exasperated sigh. “No, you were being cute. Annoying, but cute.”

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