“Ah, shit,” I mumbled as I moved out of the driver’s seat and hopped out of the truck. There was no denying how happy I was to see her again.
I smiled at her, leaning against the door as she smiled back and waved, ducking her head and tucking back her hair. She wore a short brown skirt that snugged tight over her thighs and an oversized cream-colored sweater that looked soft enough to wrap a newborn in. Her incredibly shaped legs were beyond distracting, and I knew all too well how they felt now.
I swore softly again as I went around to open the door for her. It was fucked that this woman would have any issues with self-esteem when she was this stunning. I took the steps to recalibrate myself. I was here to help, not grin at her like some lovesick puppy.
“Is it too much?” she asked, stopping as I held open the passenger door.
Maybe I’d been drooling? I liked the skirt. The skirt showed off the legs, and I really liked the legs.
“Um. No. Perfect. Wait. What?” I asked.
Her dark brows cocked in an amused look as she brought a hand to her face. “Red lipstick. I thought I would try to knock something else off the list. I watched about twenty tutorial videos online, but I’m worried it still looks like a kindergartener colored it on. Maybe it’s too much with this outfit, and I don’t even know where we are going. I think other women look incredible and powerful in red lipstick, but I think I might look like a hussy. I shouldn’t say hussy because it’s offensive and likely outdated.” She talked so fast that her breath ran out by the end.
I noticed now that her lips did seem brighter today, fuller, more distracting. Red lips ... were trouble. They made you think of places they would look good wrapped around. Having even more reason to look closely at her mouth was a blessing and a curse.
“May I?” I asked, lifting a hand hesitantly to her face.
Her eyes widened as though I were an approaching spider, but ultimately, she nodded her consent. I cupped her jaw gently, thumb hovering above her mouth as I threaded my fingers to cradle her head, gently turning it from side to side. I swallowed with effort. Having her this close sent sparks of heat crackling down my spine. Her scent, freshly showered, and still slightly damp hair at the nape of her neck drove me to wild thoughts.
I stayed focused on my task even as her eyelids fluttered with the intimate embrace.
“Looks almost perfect to me,” I said. “Just one spot here ...” My words trailed off softly.
One area near the corner of her mouth was slightly outside the bounds of the lines, and I carefully wiped at it with my thumb.
She gasped, a soft inhale of breath.
“Sorry,” I said.
“Is that better?” she asked so quietly I almost didn’t hear.
“Yeah.” The word was rough as it came out.
I felt the movement of her swallow just below her delicate jaw, still cupped in my hand.
She whispered a soft thanks with her eyes all but closed. Her dark lashes, her pale cheeks, and red parted lips were enough to make me lose track of everything, of what we were doing here. I felt adrift in that moment with her, and it happened so quickly.
If she hadn’t spent so much time getting ready, I’d kiss that lipstick right off.
But then what? How far would that set her back?
This wasn’t about me, and even if I wanted to kiss her until her legs trembled against this truck, I wouldn’t. Not when I promised to help.
I dropped my hand to the door and extended the other to help her into the truck. I pretended not to notice as she blinked out of the moment I had caused.
“Thanks for driving today,” she said.
The morning temperatures had dropped, making it too cold to walk to our adventures, but the bright Colorado sun shone through the windshield, warming the cabin comfortably.
“Of course.” I shot her an easy smile once I was back and buckled in. “We aren’t going very far, but I’ll keep the truck idling in case you need to make a break for it.”
“I don’t remember robbing a bank being on the to-do list,” she joked, and then her face fell when I kept mine serious. “Wait?—”
I grinned. “Just kidding. But the bank is the destination. Way to be psychic.”
Her arms wrapped around her middle, and she went quiet as we made the very short drive to one of the two banks in town.
“That was high on the list, right? A less intimidating task,” I said.
