Page 51 of Where She Belongs

Tate’s eyes snagged on her mouth and he shook his head with a quiet groan. “Rylee, I really should get going. If I stay right now, it’d be too tempting to break away from being a gentleman. I might even have already sounded like a caveman.”

At that she flushed so hot, there was no denying she knew exactly what he was implying. She looked away. “I suppose I’ll see you later?”

He tipped her chin toward him with his pointer finger. “I’ll pick you up tomorrow night for our date.” Then with that and a quick kiss to her brow, Tate left. She stood, still in shock, for a good couple of minutes until it really sank in.

Rylee was going on a date with Tate Dennison tomorrow night.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Tate knocked on the door, his nerves shot.

This was happening. He was really doing this.

Everything his sister had said must have held some merit, because Rylee didn’t seem at all turned off by the idea of going out with him. Maybe he’d been out of the dating pool for too long. Or maybe he simply hadn’t prioritized being social. Because he hadn’t felt at all confident asking Rylee out.

Hadn’t she said she wasn’t interested in anything serious?

Okay, this wasn’t serious. He had to remind himself that it was just a first date. For all he knew, it would be their only date. At least the barn was just about done. He didn’t know what he would do if tonight didn’t turn out well and he’d have to keep coming by to finish what he’d started.

The door opened and all his thoughts went out the window. Tate stared at Rylee as if they’d never set eyes on each other before. She wore makeup, even though he’d insisted that she didn’t need it. But the effect was next level. It was done so well that he could tell she’d been light-handed with the makeup brush. Her cheekbones were highlighted with a shine that accentuated her bone structure. Her lips were a light pink shade that drew the eye but wasn’t so out there to take away from her best feature.

Her eyes.

They were framed with long lashes and shimmering eyeshadow that only made her blue eyes pop.

“Wow,” he rasped.

She blushed and the effect only added to how breathtaking she looked. Her pale blue dress hugged her curves and she’d paired it with some white cowboy boots. Those were definitely not suited for farming and he bit back a chuckle.

This side of Rylee was definitely all city-girl. But there was no denying she had roots in country living. Tate held out his hand in offering but when she took it, he tugged her toward him. She gasped as she stumbled forward but he caught her and slipped his free arm around her waist. Then without preamble, he kissed her.

“I’ve missed you,” he murmured against her lips.

Rylee laughed, giving him a playful shove. “You saw me last night.”

“That was too long,” he insisted.

She shook her head, her blush deepening. Boy, he loved that he could affect her this way. It was intoxicating. Perhaps he had a better shot at convincing her to stay than he’d originally thought.

“Shall we?” He gestured toward his truck.

Nodding, Rylee turned around and locked the door, then she slipped her hand into his and together they descended the stairs.

They had a reservation at The Aviary. Then later he planned on taking Rylee out to where they could see the stars. He would wager that she hadn’t seen stars like the ones out in the country. At least not since she was a little girl. And he couldn’t wait to see her reaction.

“Tate?”

“Hmm?”

Rylee wiggled her fingers and let out a quiet laugh. “You okay? Your grip is a little… hard.”

His eyes darted to where he held her hand and he muttered a curse under his breath. “Sorry.”

She giggled again. “It’s okay.” Rylee’s gentle squeeze said it all. She didn’t have to tell him everything was going to work out. The way she looked at him, her eyes, her smile—that was how she reassured him.

Sheesh, he hadn’t been this nervous in a long time. Sure, on the outside he was all confidence and bravado. He had to be for his family and his job. But on the inside? He was just as nervous as the next guy.

And Rylee?