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13
Brielle
Who knew Wade was such a romantic? Okay, there had been signs. She had to admit to herself that Wade was probably the only guy who had consistently surprised her when it came to their strange relationship.
He never quit.
That was saying something considering everything he had on his plate. He made time for her. She shifted closer still to him, resting her head on his chest as she watched the meteor shower overhead. This had to be the best date she’d been on for as long as she could remember.
It wasn’t the stars or even the location that made this one stand out, either. Wade had been thoughtful in his decision to bring her here—that much was clear. Each and every spare moment they shared together was like this. While other guys just took her out so they could steal a kiss, Wade took her out tobewith her.
Her fingers traced over the dress shirt he wore. She’d heard the sound of his phone vibrating. And she’d noticed when he chose not to answer it. That gave her one more reason to chalk another point in his favor.
Part of her didn’t know if she was playing fair. Tad was still a complete stranger. They chatted superficially, and their date was what she’d been expecting from the beginning. But she didn’t feel the kind of connection to him that she felt with Wade.
A niggling thought of doubt crept into the back of her mind, reminding her that she shouldn’t get her hopes up. This was the start of a relationship that was just like any other. It wasn’t guaranteed to last. She didn’t have a contract with Wade to make sure they weren’t going to get hurt.
Tad had one, though.
She shoved that thought aside with a vengeance. Tad was still a stranger. Just because he had a document that stated they were married didn’t mean it wouldn’t end. The only thing Tad had going for him was that he might be more stubborn than she was.
Brielle snuggled closer to Wade, drawing on the comfort of his body heat. He shifted his arm so that it wrapped around her and held her securely. If she were honest with herself, she’d have to admit that Wade had already won this little game. This was the kind of relationship she’d always wanted—someone she could count on to be there for her. While she’d hated the way her father had pressed his rules down on her, she admired his ability to persevere. And no one came as close to being like Zeke Callahan as Wade did.
Stars continued to fall, twinkling through the clear sky. The breeze drifted over them like a cool blanket and she shivered, which only prompted Wade to tighten his hold on her. She lost track of time, being here with him like this, but she didn’t care. Closing her eyes, she inhaled deeply. He smelled like fresh-cut alfalfa with notes of pine and mint. He was a working man, someone who couldn’t sit still if he wanted to.
And she loved that about him.
If she were pressed, she didn’t think she could come up with anything that made her dislike him. There had to be something, right? Well, if she couldn’t come up with a single reason to push him away now, that must be a good sign.
Brielle yawned, listening to the steady thump of Wade’s heartbeat.
The next thing she knew, he was scooping her up into his arms. Her eyes flew open, and she scrambled to secure her arms around his neck.
“Shh.” He murmured. “I’m taking you home.”
Throwing her head back, she stared at the sky that was now void of all the glitter from before. Now, it just held the usual twinkling lights. Disappointment racked her body. She didn’t want to go yet. Brielle peered up at him. “I’m sorry.”
He gave her a funny look. “What do you have to be sorry for?” He adjusted the way he held onto her as he opened the door and then placed her into her seat.
Brielle shivered, her teeth chattering from the lack of his body heat. “I fell asleep. On our date.”
Wade grabbed a blanket from the back seat of his truck and wrapped it around her shoulders. “Don’t apologize.”
“But I—”
He leaned close into the cab, his face inches from hers. “Don’tapologize. I had a good time. And if you feel comfortable enough with me to fall asleep in my arms, I call that a win.” Wade hooked his finger under her chin and grazed his lips against hers in an electrifying kiss. When he pulled back, she snatched his wrist to keep him there. Confusion flickered across his features, followed by an intensity she’d only ever seen glimpses of.
Releasing his hand, she framed his face with her hands and pulled him in for a deep, toe-curling kiss. She drank him in, taking everything he had to offer. His touch set her skin on fire, confirming one thing she hadn’t allowed herself to believe would ever happen to her.
She was falling in love.
Desperation overcame her and she moved her hands behind his neck, digging her fingers into his hair. The terrifying notion that one day he might walk away from her was easily buried deep down inside her. Wade knew the good and the bad, and he still chose to stick around. She couldn’t get any luckier than that.
He was the first to pull away, his breaths heavy and uneven. “Bri… I don’t think…”
“I know,” she rasped. “I’m sorry.”
A smile tugged at his lips and his calloused fingers placed a few stray strands of hair behind her ear. “You don’t ever have to apologize to me. Doesn’t matter what you do. I will always love you.”
