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“Follow me to the park?” The question was out there before he’d consciously decided to ask it, and he held his breath, waiting for her reply. Was he pushing it?
She tapped her left foot in those blood-spattered boots that were killing him right now then passed her keys from one hand to the other. The jingling rattled him as he willed her to respond.
“Okay.”
Dakota was cool enough not to jump up and down like an idiot, but these little victories spurred him on as nothing else ever had. “Great. The sky above Brenton Lake is amazing at night.” Not that he planned on stargazing tonight. He’d much rather Leah-gaze… like around the clock.
“See you in a few minutes.” Leah walked toward her SUV, but she turned around to look back at him. “Try not to miss me too much.”
More flirting.He put his hand over his heart. “I’ll do my best.”
Her soft chuckle wafted back to him as she climbed into her vehicle and he made a mental tally mark in his favor. He was winning her over. He was doing it.
He was going to be late to the park if he didn’t get his ass in his truck right now.
The five minute drive didn’t pass quickly enough for him. When he parked his truck next to her SUV and found her sitting on the same bench where he’d seen her on his bike ride, he nearly sprinted over to her.
The lake was dark and still. The only movement came when the crisp night wind blew, rippling the lake and rustling the leaves. Stars dotted the sky as the mountains created black shadows around the lake.
When he reached Leah’s bench, he pointed to the space next to her. “Is this seat taken?”
“Yes,” she said. “It’s reserved for a guy who loves the outdoors, is a dog person, eats pizza like a professional, and who the entire town thinks is awesome.”
Dakota scanned the park then put his hands on his chest. “I think that might be me.”
“Oh,” she held up a finger as if suddenly remembering something, “he’s also an ogre.”
Dakota let out a growl and sat beside her. “You’re into ogres, remember?”
She turned her face toward him. “I saidmaybeI was into ogres.”
“You haven’t decided yet?”
The breeze fluttered her hair back and she shivered. “That depends.”
“On what?”
“How good a kisser you are.”
For a moment, he wasn’t sure he’d heard her correctly. Then everything that was male inside him screamed,Kiss her, moron! Kiss her NOW!
He angled to face her, wondering if perhaps he was dreaming, but the expectant look on her face told him this was real. He’d gotten the green light and he’d be a fool not to step on the pedal.
Some of her hair streamed across her cheek in the breeze and he reached over to secure it behind her ear. The moment his skin touched hers, he knew this kiss was going to seal his fate. One taste and he’d be hooked.
Maybe he didn’t mind that.
Slowly, he leaned forward and when Leah didn’t skitter away or make any move to stop him, he brushed his lips against hers. A soft whisper of a kiss to start. He didn’t want to scare her away. Though she’d been the one to bring up the topic of kissing, he had this sense she was challenging herself—testing the waters—to see how much she could take. All of his instincts told him to move carefully, be patient and gentle with her, show her she could trust him.
Because she’d been hurt in the past. He wasn’t sure how, but the battle scars were there, hiding under the surface. He wanted to alleviate that burden, whatever it was, but rushing her would be the worst thing he could do. He had to let her drive. Let her determine their speed and direction. He just hoped they both landed at the same destination.
After a series of light pecks, Leah pulled away a bit. “You taste like Kyle’s pizza.”
“Is that bad?” Thank God they hadn’t gotten the garlic lovers. “I think I have some gum in my truck. I could—”
Leah pressed her mouth to his and those light pecks turned hungry… more intense, more exploratory. When her tongue sought entry, he didn’t hesitate to grant it. Her hands found their way to his shoulders then clasped at the back of his neck. She shifted closer and because of the way he was seated, she ended up in his lap a little, and Dakota was all for that.
“I didn’t think Kyle’s pizza could taste any better than it already did,” she said after pulling back again. “I was wrong. It tastes best off your lips.”
