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Now, he’s consuming my every thought, and it scares me. But his confessions, the way his smile gives me butterflies, and the nervousness I suddenly feel when I’m around him confirm that something has drastically changed between us.
And I don’t want to ignore it. I can’t.
After Nick left my heart in shambles, I should be running the other way at the prospect of dating another man, but I’ve known Diesel my whole life. He’s not just a random guy I met at a bar, and I know the true intentions of his heart aren’t to hurt or use me. If we’re going to see where this goes, then I need to put in the effort and give it my all.
Goose bumps cover my arms as I make my way from the B&B where I stopped to meet with Maize for a quick chat and walk over to the equipment barn. It takes me a good ten minutes to get there, but since I don’t want anyone to see my truck, I have to be sneaky. I could take one of the four-wheelers, but if someone catches me, I’d have no excuse as to what I was doing.
I step inside, looking around for him, but it’s dead quiet. Perhaps he’s not here yet, so I decide to text him.
Rowan: I’m here. Where are you?
After two minutes and no response, I’m ready to call his ass for not being on time, but before I can, a hand wraps around my mouth and I’m being hauled into a hard chest. I immediately know it’s him when his lips brush against my ear.
“I missed you,” he whispers.
Spinning around in his arms, I glare at him. “What the hell?”
He puts a finger to his lips, motioning for me to be quiet. “C’mon, I’m taking you somewhere.”
Diesel grabs my hand and leads me around the tractors and gardening equipment until we’re at the back of the barn. “What are you doing?” I whisper-hiss as he opens the side door.
“Sneaking you into my truck.” He looks back at me and smirks. “Stay down.”
I see his Chevy close by, and we quickly run together toward it. He helps me into the passenger side and then rushes to the other.
“Crouch down,” he orders, then hits the gas.
“Where are we going?” I ask, feeling completely out of the loop.
“It’s a surprise.”
“This can’t be good.” I laugh. “I thought you only had a half-hour break?”
“I’m taking an extended lunch.” He chuckles, making a sharp turn. “Don’t worry, they won’t even notice I’m gone.”
“Mm-hmm, right.” I lick my lips as I lower my eyes down his body. Even after working all morning, he still looks good enough to eat. “Can I sit up yet?”
“One second…”
I feel the truck drive up a hill and look through the window. Trees and overgrown brush line the dirt road.
“Okay, you’re good to go now.” He gives me his hand, and I grab it, hoisting myself up in the seat.
Looking around, I notice we’re on one of the trails leading to an area we sometimes partied in high school and have the occasional bonfire.
“What do you have up your sleeve, mister?”
He waggles his brows with a mischievous smirk on his face. “I packed us a lunch.”
My eyes widen in surprise. “Really? You packed us edible food?”
He rests a hand on his chest. “Why are you so shocked? I’m very capable of asking Grandma Bishop to make her famous chicken and biscuits.”
I snort out a laugh as my head falls back against the seat. “You’re slick, I’ll give you that.”
Diesel drives us to a place that’s been named the “Bishop spot” over the years. Apparently, my uncles brought their dates up here, and they’d party and drink. It became something rather special and meaningful for a lot of them and even for Riley and his wife, Zoey.
“You know everyone who brings their crushes here end up married,” he tells me smoothly as he parks the truck.
“I’ve heard,” I say, fighting back a smile. “Except I’m pretty sure my uncles and even Riley brought a lot of women they ended up not marrying here too. Even you, probably.”
“Nope. Been waiting for the right one.” He flashes me a shiver-inducing wink, and I’m nearly melting in my seat before he rounds the front and escorts me out. He grabs the cooler, then takes my hand to the back of the cab.
There’s a sleeping bag unzipped and spread out with blankets and pillows all around. It looks cozy, and I’m shocked as hell he thought of something this sweet.
“Wow…” I say when he helps me up, and he makes his way to my side. “You’ve never done this before?” I ask.
“Never had a relationship, Row,” he says.
“Seems you know what you’re doing,” I tell him when he hands me a plate covered in foil.
