Page 17 of A Date with Fate

But now it made me itch. Because I knew what was underneath. Sure, she was a sweet woman, but there was a layer there that I'd barely scratched yesterday that was as addicting as drugs. I wanted more of that. More of the real her.

I glanced in the rearview mirror, watching a small red sedan steer around us. “Did you need to stop or anything? We’ve got another hour if not.”

“Nah,” Taylor answered, looking up from her crossword. “I’m good.”

I nodded, moving a lane over and avoiding the truck stop at the center of the highway. Resolution filled my mind. I had the rest of today and part of tomorrow to come to grips with the fact that Taylor Haley would leave straight after we got to Jackson Falls. And it was frustrating me too.

Add that to the mix of needing so badly to see more of that soft, sweet Taylor from the night at the bar or the quietness of moments in the truck yesterday, and I was quickly turning feral. I didn't know how much longer I would last before I flat out asked the girl to marry me. At least then I could be sure that she would stay with me. That I could show her how amazing she was. I could happily spend the rest of my life reminding her.

Things between us continued on, a bit stiff after our strange tumble this morning, but I forced myself to bear it. At least until we pulled over after lunch for a break. I was leaning against the outside of the truck, legs crossed as I watched the dark clouds that moved over us.

“Looks like rain,” Taylor called out as she got closer. She was dressed in a pair of loose athletic shorts and a shirt that practically swallowed her whole. Jealousy surprised me then, when I wondered if it was trophy stolen from her last boyfriend.

“I know. Maybe we can—” Before I could finish my thought, the heavens opened up and literally poured rain down on us. I gasped, turning to my ajar car door and hurling my cell phone through it and rolling my window up.

“Taylor, baby, we gotta go.” The endearment slipped off my tongue easily, and I didn’t have time to change my mind or take it back as Taylor tipped her head back. I blinked at her as she held her arms wide, spreading them open, the rain bouncing off her palms.

“We can’t go yet,” Taylor said so softly, I could barely hear her over the rain.

I moved closer, stepping hurriedly up to grab her. With a soft laugh, she sidestepped my approach and danced away. The parking lot was mostly empty, and with a twist she went bounding off into the puddles around the truck and camper.

“Why not?” I pouted at her, my jeans feeling more and more uncomfortable by the moment. “It’s pouring.”

“Because this is the best part. No lightning, no thunder. Just beautiful, cool, perfect rain.” Taylor stopped again, the rain soaking her hair as she reached back and freed it from her hair tie. Dark hair toppled down her back, already curling from the moisture as her shirt darkened.

But I didn’t care anymore.

She was beautiful like this. I could almost see all those worries and thoughts melting away under the gentle flow of water down her body. Her clothes dripped now, and I was sure that mine were also sticking to me. It didn’t stop me from moving closer. When her blue eyes jumped to mine, I held up both my hands. I wouldn’t take her away from this moment, not for anything in the world.

Taylor sighed, her rain-soaked shirt fluttering against her belly and breasts as she dragged a breath back in. “Do you dance, Scott?”

My chest ached. “For you?”

“No.” Taylor tipped her head back again, beautiful lips parted. “For yourself.”

I chuckled. “Sometimes.”

Taylor held a hand out, her face slowly turning back to me. “Now?”

She could’ve asked me to do just about anything, and I would’ve considered it. So my feet were already moving by the time her voice had trailed away. My hand found hers, feeling the delicate fingers twist into my grip.

With a grin, I closed in on her, tugging her close enough that I could slip a hand around her waist. Slowly, we began to sway. Back and forth, with really no rhythm or lead. Just two people taking a moment to soak up the joy of something as simple and pure as a summer rainstorm.

I blinked the water out of my eyes as I stared down at her. Because no matter what I’d said, I wasn’t sure I could've danced for anyone else. But this woman, she changed everything about me.

And after a few minutes of silent dancing, I could feel her starting to pull away. Her expression lowered as she blinked up at me.

“Sorry,” she said quietly, a wry smile on her face. “Couldn’t resist.”

“Don’t apologize,” I said, my hand leaving her waist and tilting her chin up to face me. “Don’t ever apologize for your joy.”

Taylor blinked slowly, droplets of rain still clinging to her eyelashes. My mouth lowered before I could stop it, moving to hover just over her lips. That’s where I stopped, my body shaking with indecision. I’d been a part of this woman’s childhood. I loved her and her brother. I considered her family, but now, things had shifted. I knew that for sure.

But I could wait.

Because I couldn’t stand to give in, kiss that soft mouth, and then find out later that she might regret it. I refused to be her regret, the thing that drove her away from me permanently.

“We should get inside before you end up sick,” I said carefully, making sure that I stayed away from her lips. Even when her tongue slipped out for a moment.

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