“Yes,” she whispered.
“Yes?” He gave her a look of surprise. He hadn’t expected it to be that easy.
“I get that you were surprised and it wasn’t really a good surprise. So yes.”
“Thank you,” he said gruffly. “I appreciate that. I also need to hear that you won’t be going on any more blind dates with strangers.”
“Because you worry about me?”
“It’s dangerous, Daisy. There are too many predators out there, just dying to take a bite out of you.”
“Not certain I’m really that tasty.”
He was.
“Got to admit, tonight’s dinner didn’t exactly go as I’d hoped it might.”
“That guy was a dick,” he stated.
“He sure did moan a lot about his ex-wives. And he talked with his mouth full. Food kept falling out and onto his lap.”
“At least he was just a douche and not a murderer.”
“People around here sure do have an obsession with murderers,” she muttered. “It’s making me rethink my plan to stay.”
Well, that no longer suited him. “You want to go out for dinner, I’ll take you,” he offered gruffly.
There was silence. Was she horrified by the idea?
“We’ve never gone out for dinner before.”
They hadn’t? No, he realized. They had been kids. Taking her out for a meal hadn’t entered his head. They’d been to the movies a few times, but he’d known it always made her feel awkward that he had to pay for everything so mostly he’d take her for a drive somewhere and they’d spend their time making out and talking.
How they’d never had sex he didn’t know. Wasn’t like his horny teenage self hadn’t wanted to. But he’d also wanted to do right by her. She’d been special. He’d adored her, loved her. . .
Until the day he’d discovered she’d taken off with the biggest asshole in the county.
He pulled up outside her house and turned off the truck before hopping out and coming around to her door. She grew tense as he grabbed her around the waist and lifted her down. He deliberately brushed her body against his and felt her tremble.
“I don’t. . .I still don’t exactly understand what’s happening here,” she whispered.
“What’s happening is that I had some time to think. During that time, I realized I acted hastily, said things I shouldn’t. When I heard you were out on a date with another man. Someone you didn’t know, I figured that the reason for my reaction is because you stirred feelings I thought had died ten years ago. I don’t want you dating anyone else. I want you with me.”
“You. . .you want me? So you no longer hate me?”
“Never hated you, babe. Not that.” He cupped her face between his large hands. “Was mad at you. Mad at you for a long time.”
“I wish you’d let me—”
“No, you don’t need to tell me because it doesn’t matter. From now on, we’re moving forward not back, understand me? No more talk of the past, yeah?”
He waited for her nod. “Good girl. What matters is here and now.” He leaned in and finally, he kissed her. He made his touch light for a start. Just a gentle brush of his mouth against hers. Then he pressed deeper, he reached around her and grabbed hold of her ass with one hand, squeezing. She opened her mouth on a gasp and he took total advantage, deepening the kiss.
His heart pounded; arousal rushed through his body.
Calm things down. Chill.
He forced himself to pull back. Last thing he wanted was to scare her off. He didn’t know how much experience she had. When her last relationship had been. And his needs were intense.