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He laced his fingers with hers. “It’s my nature, and it has nothing to do with how capable you are. I’m just cautious, and I watch out for those I care about, and I care about you.”
“I get that.” She gave him a long look. “I’m an independent woman, and I need to know that you won’t feel like you have to watch out for me all the time.”
He squeezed her hand. “I’ll do my best.” He signaled for the server, who brought the check. Tyson immediately took it and fished out his wallet. One thing Haylee knew was to not get into it with a cowboy about who intended to pay the check—she’d always lose.
When everything was settled, he escorted her outside, his hand resting lightly on her waist. He took her hand as they walked down the stairs and kept a slow and leisurely pace while they headed for her truck.
They stood beside the driver’s side door, and she looked up into his eyes. He had moved so close, almost pinning her against her vehicle, but she didn’t mind. She liked his body so near her own.
He held her gaze for a long moment and stroked strands of her hair away from her face. “I think we can consider this our first date. Don’t you?”
Shivers skittered through her body at the intensity of his expression. “Yes.” The word came out in a whisper.
His voice grew lower and more vibrant. “I’d like to kiss you, Haylee.”
Flutters filled her belly. Instead of answering, she raised on her toes and brushed her lips over his.
Tyson slid his fingers into her hair and drew her close, their bodies pressed together, his hands at her waist. He took her mouth in a challenging, possessive kiss that stole her breath.
He tasted of beer and his masculine flavor, and despite just having left the bar, he smelled of country air and sun-warmed flesh. He moved his mouth over hers, teasing, tempting, then taking all he could, all she would give him. He kept his hands at her waist, and she was grateful he wasn’t taking liberties so soon in their relationship.
When he finally drew back and raised his head, she wasn’t sure she could catch her breath. She stared up into his half-shuttered, beautiful eyes.
“I’d better get home.” The words came out in a whisper, and she raised her voice enough that she was sure he could hear her. “I’ll see you Saturday.”
“Can’t wait.” He let her step back out of his strong embrace.
She unlocked her truck with the fob. He opened the door and helped her up and into the cab.
“I know better than to comment on a big truck and a petite woman,” he said in a teasing tone. “So, I’ll just let you get home.”
Haylee laughed. “I’ve never been called petite, but yeah, you should refrain from teasing me about my truck. I love ol’ Red.”
Tyson rested his palm on her thigh. “As long as he gets you home safe.”
She touched his cheek in a brief caress before leaning in and lightly kissing him. “Good night.”
“Good night.” He waited until she put her seatbelt on before he shut the door.
He stepped back and watched as she turned over the big engine, which roared to life. She backed into the street, waved to him, then headed off. She glanced in the rearview mirror and saw he still watched her as she drove away. She took a right at the corner and couldn’t see him any longer.
Haylee blew out a long breath. Were things progressing too quickly? Her boyfriend had lost his life doing something he believed in, but the pain from the loss tightened her chest.
But she knew in her heart that she should move forward. She would never forget Danny, but it was time to open herself up to dating and the possibility of love again.
4
Tyson brought his truck to a stop in front of the brightly painted bicycle mailbox at the home where Haylee lived with her sisters. She’d been on his mind all week, and he was damned glad it was Saturday so he could spend time with her again. She was intelligent, fun, talented, and genuine. He’d never known another woman like her, and he sure as hell wanted to get to know her better.
The fact that she was the baby sister to a couple of his best buddies only made him hesitate a little. The fact it might piss them off had crossed his mind, but there was no going back as far as he was concerned. He didn’t have a mind to, anyway.
He had called her Wednesday because he wanted to hear her voice and talk with her. It had been late by the time he’d had a chance to get a hold of her, and they hadn’t spent long on the phone. She’d had a packed week, and his hadn’t been much better.
He climbed out of his truck into the night, lit only by a single streetlight on their block. He snugged his black felt Stetson on his head and locked the truck doors with the fob before heading up the stone path toward the porch.
The lacy curtains at the big picture window were closed, but a yellow glow from inside illuminated them. He saw movement behind the curtains as he strode up the walkway. He reached the stairs to the porch bathed by a single bulb. He took the steps two at a time, and the door opened before he could knock.
“Hi, Tyson.” Jill pushed the screen door open, squeaking with the motion, and smiled at him. She was beautiful, but to him Haylee shone the most brilliantly out of the sisters. “Haylee will be right out.”
