Page 119 of Sterling Stone

A blaring bleat vibrates my phone against the storage box behind my head, and Taxi and I both flinch. She’s collapsed on my chest, her hair wild and draped everywhere. My hand is flat on her back. I’m not certain I can move a limb.

I don’t want to move.

But the annoying sound continues to rhythmically blast.

“What is that?” Taxi laughs, burying her face in my chest.

“I set an alarm, so I get the princess home before the carriage becomes a pumpkin.”

She lifts her head, eyes bright with color but sated. “You’re really up on your fairy tales.”

I shrug. “I’ve got more nieces than nephews.” Plus, I’d been reading fairy tales to Vale forever.

Slowly, Taxi peels herself off me.

Not yet, I want to shout. Just a few more minutes. But then I’ll want a few more, and a few more. And she needs to go.

I tug up my pants as she reaches for her dress. With my pants in place, but not fastened, I take the dress from her, wanting to do the honors.

“Up,” I nod for her arms to lift, and I spread the material to cover her. Sitting above me, breasts spilling from this dress, the skirt hitched to her hips, she was a fucking vision. A downright goddess.

She’s still just as lovely as I take my time to tuck each one of the buttons through the holes. I love how innocent the dress looks, knowing the woman underneath is a queen.

I snapped her ponytail holder, so her hair remains a wild, dark halo around her head.

“Where’s my bra?” She giggles, knowing I tossed it aside. I find it and stuff it in my back pocket.

She eyes me suspiciously but doesn’t comment.

While she steps into her underwear, I hold out my hand to help steady her, then I put my shirt back on.

The air has cooled considerably. A few minutes ago, I wouldn’t have noticed. I didn’t feel a thing other than the snug fit of her around me. Her knees around my hips. Her hands on my chest. All Taxi. Only Taxi.

Together, we blow out the candles. The containers are too hot to stuff back in the larger storage box, so I set them in the original plastic container I had inside the truck chest and set the container at the edge of the tailgate once we are ready to drive Taxi home.

I’d really like to bring her to take her to my home, lay her down in my bed, and wrap around her, like I did that first week after she arrived. When she was put in my path again.

With her hand in mine, settled on my thigh, I drive her home, understanding her need to stick close to her aunt. At least for a little while longer.

When we get to Trudy’s house, I step out of the truck and walk Taxi to the front door.

“I had a good time tonight.” I sound lame. I had a phenomenal time. I didn’t want it to end, but I’m not a man of words.

Her mouth slowly curls at the corner. “I had a good time, too.” Her silver eyes flicker in the pale glow from the porch light.

Yeah, good doesn’t describe the night for me either.

“So, how’d I do?” I ask next, like I’m a rating scale. “For a first date?” First one I’ve had in years. Might even be my last first date ever.

“First everything,” Taxi whispers, and I reach for her jaw, cupping the edge of her face.

“First everything,” I repeat. “Want to do it again?” Another date. Another night like this one.

“Again and again and again.” With each repetition, her voice falls quieter.

“Good,” I whisper, that damn word once more.

I decide to stop talking and just kiss her, soft and sweet, like a front porch kiss should be. But also achingly sad, because we’re going to part for the night.