We walk in silence for a few minutes, as a country band warms up on stage and lines form at the food trucks. I’ve done this before, but it’s like I’m experiencing it for the first time, my stomach flipping with nerves at being here with someone that makes my heart beat faster and my body come to life.
“Why did you want to come here?”
A beat passes and then a second before Deacon says, “I uh, wanted to take you somewhere I don’t usually go.”
“I…appreciate that.” Silently I addI thinkbut my mind is already running in a million different directions and none of them seem good.
What other places are hisusualspots?
How many does he have?
Do they still mean the same thing when he goes there?
“Tanner?” Deacon says, jolting me from my thoughts when he pulls me to a stop.
“Yeah?”
“It’s been a long time since I’ve had ausualanything.”
I can feel my cheeks heat, and I really don’t appreciate the concern written all over his ruggedly handsome face.
“It’s fine.”
“Tanner.” His fingers tighten around mine, and I release a heavy exhale, my nostrils flaring and my jaw clenching.
“I get that you have a past, and at this point, I feel like I’ve given you plenty of chances to get out of this.” I lift our joined hands and give them a little shake for emphasis. “So stop. I get to be wary about the idea of you havingusualhookup spots.” He opens his mouth to speak but I shake my head. “And I also get to decide if I trust you. And I do. So that’s it. Stop trying to make everythinglessto protect me.”
Deacon licks his lips as he stares. His gaze locked on me is full of desire, the kind that normally would have me shifting from foot to foot to relieve the pressure in my jeans. “There’s not a chance in hell I want to get out of this.”
It’s a promise, the words rumbling from somewhere deep in his chest before they hit my ears.
God, that’s hot.
“Good.”
His lips twitch before he rolls them inward, presumably to hide his amusement. “Verygood, Sweetheart.”
“You said it again.”
“I did.”
“Isthatpart of your usual routine?” There’s fire behind the question and despite just proclaiming that I’mnotinsecure, I need to know.
For me.
Fallon and I had used “Babe” a lot but that always felt like a default phrase. And even though “Sweetheart” isn’t unique, it’s the way it rolls off his tongue that has me wanting to melt at his feet.
I want that to be just for me.
Instead of answering, Deacon pulls me away from the crowd, his grip tightening on mine, and even though he’s practically stomping, his boots are almost silent as he traverses over the trampled grass.
I’m about to ask where the hell he’s going when he spins me, his fingers possessively digging into my waist as he backs me against a tree. He swallows theoofthat escapes as his mouth crashes over mine, his tongue plundering every nook and cranny as he cages me against the rough bark.
“Only. You. Do you hear me? Only you.” I swallow hard, the vehemence in his voice leaving me lightheaded.
“Yes.” It’s barely audible, but he hears it because his forehead drops to mine.
“Fuck.” His lips are softer now, each kiss seducing and reassuring me all at the same time.
