Page 41 of Thoroughly Innocent Intent

“You gave me reason,” I whisper.

“How’d I do that?” He studies me thoughtfully.

“You saw me.”

“You’re hard to miss...,” he drawls.

“No, I mean you saw me.Me. You understand who I am, and you respect it. You don’t try to change me.”

“Who would want to change you?” He seems genuinely perplexed.

“It’s not important.” I shake my head, not wanting to get into that right now. “The point is you don’t. That’s the reason.”

“Are you sayin’ I’m good for you too, Honey?” His blue eyes are full of wonder.

“Yes.”

“Not sure I’ve ever been good for anyone before,” he mutters softly, staring at my lips. “But I’ll try damn hard to be good for you.”

Colt kisses me tenderly, and while his kisses tend to make my heart beat faster, this time my heartbeat has more to do with the words he just gave me than the feel of his lips on mine. Instead of an empty promise, he gave me the truth, and I respect a man who doesn’t pretend to be perfect.

Colt

"Ohmygod.”Samlicks her lips and moans as the flavors hit her tongue, making me grateful that this picnic table is covered by a tablecloth. “This is vegan? I’m eating a vegan taco right now?”

“Told you you’d love it.” I chuckle, taking a bite of my veggie burger.

I finally convinced Sam to go out with me, not after a work meeting and to somewhere besides my house. She was hesitant at first, the idea of being in the spotlight still freaks her out, but with a Longhorns cap pulled low over my forehead, sunglasses, and not a stitch of clothing that says Stallions on it, I might pass for just a big guy.

“I had no idea vegan food could be so good.” She licks her fingers, forcing me to look away so I don’t get that image stuck in my head. “When you said we were going to a food truck, I expected this to be a cheat day, but it’s not, is it?”

“Can’t have a cheat day Friday when the game is Sunday.” I wink, realizing only after I take a bite that she wouldn’t have seen that because of my sunglasses.

“There are so many places I’m going to have to try now that I know vegan food is this good,” she continues, barely taking her eyes off her taco.

Getting her hooked on vegan food wasn’t my intent, but it’s something I knew she hadn’t tried, and I’m not above using her love of food to get her to take the next step with me, that being going out in public. After all, if this thing with us continues, which I hope it does, we can’t hibernate at my house forever.

“And this is a food truck! I heard they were good, but this is so much better than I expected. Although it’s kind of sad when you think about it, because they’re not always in the same place, so if you’re in the mood for something I guess you have to hunt it down.” Damn, she’s cute when she rambles.

“The first Friday of every month is Food Truck Friday. These guys always show for it.” I keep my head low just to be safe, but Sam spins around in her seat, taking in all the different options, everything from barbeque to Cajun to Asian infusion.

It’s one of my favorite events because it combines good food, the outdoors, and usually some live music in the town square that’s reminiscent of a tiny Colorado town even though we’re just outside the Denver city limit.

I don’t get to come as often as I’d like. In fact, once the season starts, I usually skip it. But I thought this would make a good date, and since it’s September, there may only be one or two weekends left before the event is put on hold until late spring.

These events can get pretty crowded, they’re mostly free unless you buy food, and lots of families like to bring their kids and camp out for the evening. It’s a risk to bring Sam here, given that it’s the perfect night to be outside, but I knew she’d love the food trucks and the whole small-town vibe.

“Oh my gosh, they have Cajun, and Italian, and dessert. I never want to leave.” She sighs, a dreamy look in those gray eyes as she takes another bite. I can’t help the laugh that rumbles low in my gut. “What?” she exclaims.

“Never met a woman who gets so aroused by food.” I grin suggestively.

“I do not get aroused by food,” she protests with a little pout.

“Feels like you do, based on the way you’re looking at your dinner.” I shake my head, trying to hold back my laughter.

“What?” A tiny crease forms on her brow.

“Honey, the look on your face right now is the same one you got on my counter the other night, if you catch my meaning. I’m feeling kinda jealous of that taco cause I want to be the only thing to put that look on your face.”

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