“A date,” I offered, my heart thumping a little harder. He might hate the idea, blanch at it, and I’d just backtrack. But hell, I needed to try. “If you want.”
His eyes widened, those hazel eyes gorgeous, and his grin somehow grew a little brighter. “Yeah, I do. Tell me when and where, and I’ll be there.”
Elation flooded through me.
I leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to his lips. “I have to go before Hannigan storms in to complain, but I’ll see you tomorrow.”
This wouldn’t be easy—I still hadn’t addressed the Serena of the situation. But I also wasn’t ready to pass on a chance for more with this gorgeous man either.
Tomorrow, we’d go on a date, and I’d see if this was a false start or could turn into a steady flame.
Chapter fifteen
August
Yesterday had been a roller-coaster, what with the whole accidental fire emergency and Drake showing up at my job.
And damn, he looked fine in his turnout gear. Granted, he looked fine every time I ran into him.
I’ve been waiting all day for our date tonight. I’d woken up to a text with the time and place—five pm at Chickies Rock Overlook, out in Lancaster. Not close, but an easy drive. I hadn’t been there before, but I loved surprises, so this pinged my excitement in the best way. Especially the fact he’d called it a date when he asked.
Which had to mean either he was interested in more or he was really formal about his friend meetups. But who knew. Maybe he meant a concert buddy date. A bro-tastic good time. Ugh, I hoped not.
I wanted to suck his dick, but romantically.
I zoomed down the highway toward Lancaster, all pastures and deep blue skies during the pre-evening hour. The sun’s golden rays lit up fields of wheat, the perfect lighting enhancing the gorgeous peacefulness out here. At least when it wasn’t interrupted by some super preachy billboard about getting with Jesus or hating on babies, I think? The slogans were never quite clear. The breeze filtered in, bringing the smell of sweet, fresh-cut grass and cow shit. Obviously, one was preferable to the other.
Mom and Dad were away right now, checking out a prospective property in Florida, and they kept sending me pictures, which I love/hated. I loved the attention, but I hated the subtle pressure because they really wanted me to join them.
I was pushing off processing what I wanted to do on that front, even though Rory had started to poke at me. Sooner than later, he’d corner me, and I’d have to sort out what I wanted. The thought of leaving Drake right as we were exploring whatever this was tore at my insides, but if I was wrong, like I often was, I’d just end up left in the dirt.
I turned up the volume of the Sleeping Fires playlist I was listening to. The band was damn good, and I was stoked Drake was talking with Ethan to figure out the date for the fundraiser.
I took the exit off the highway and headed in the direction of Chickies Rock Overlook, catching a few of the signs for it. Wild that I’d lived in the area and hadn’t been here. Drake had a sense of adventure that I craved. He was the guy who suggested a midnight drive to nowhere and dove headfirst into putting out fires, and god, I hadn’t realized how much I wanted someone like that until I experienced it. Every time we met up, my creative mind sparked into overdrive, inspiration flowing better than it had in years. The one watercolor piece was finished, and I was already working on another.
I pulled into the parking lot, and a brief scan rewarded me with the sight of Drake’s car, so I snagged the spot beside it.
When I hopped out of my car, his driver’s side door creaked open. The sight of him caused the breath to snag in my throat. Drake was dressed in a black muscle tee that showed off his defined biceps and forearms and threadbare jeans with a few rips. His backwards ball cap was hot as hell, and I wanted to drop to my knees and suck him off right there in the parking lot.
He let out a low whistle. “Damn, you look good.”
Heat rushed through me at the compliment. I’d thrown on a pair of cargo shorts that made my ass pop and a salmon tank top, which Rory often referred to as my slutty little tank top. Maybe because I hoped to get laid tonight. Drake’s eyes were molten as he scanned over me, and he licked his lips, the hunger in his expression palpable.
“Man, the plan is a hike, but you’re pure temptation,” he said, his voice growing low.
“I’d say I’d blow you on the hike, but I’m pretty sure we’d be tempting fate,” I said, glancing at all the cars in the lot.
Drake snorted and extended his hand. I settled my palm in his, a thrill rising inside me feeling him hold my hand. Such a simple thing, but I was so used to partners who were minimal PDA or not nearly as invested as I was.
“Come on,” he said, giving my hand a light tug. “The entrance is this way.”
We set off on the trail, trees looming overhead. The air was crisp, lush from the forests around us. I hadn’t gotten out to just hike in a while, and it felt good, especially after spending yesterday hunched over and tattooing. I needed the movement.
“So, I think Ethan and I hammered out the date for the fundraiser,” Drake said, his eyes gleaming as we walked hand in hand down thetrail. My gaze kept drifting to where our hands were joined. A part of me couldn’t believe the way he publicly claimed me like this. Especially after yesterday, when he’d declared us “concert buddies” in front of our coworkers.
Not like Owen or Nyx had believed that for a second.
“Hope you’re going to clue me in so I can be there,” I said, even though the thought of future planning tangled my insides. If I moved, I might not be. And if I stayed, I’d disappoint my parents.
