“So? The dance? Maybe you can save me a spot on your dance card.”
I tried not to look at Brock, but I could feel his eyes on me, so I glanced up. He smiled, and my heart skipped a beat.
Why does he have such an effect on me?
My insides felt warm, and my lower stomach pulsed with a need I hadn’t felt in over a year. Heck, if I was being honest, I’m not sure I’d ever had a man make me feel this type of desire.
“I have a feeling my dance card will be full tonight. I’ll see ya around.”
And with that, he grabbed the bags from me and placed his hand on my lower back again. This time, he rubbed his thumb back and forth over the light fabric, and my insides nearly melted on the spot.
Breathe, Lincoln. Breathe.
It was refreshing to have someone care enough to take the time to guide me. Even if it was out of a grocery store with all the locals focused on us. Maybe Brock didn’t care about the unwanted attention. Maybe this connection we felt was new to him, as well. I dug my teeth into my bottom lip, trying to hide the smile that wanted to come out at that little thought.
A small part of me wanted to look back and stick my tongue out at Lucy Mae.
What in the world is going on with me? That was not like me at all. First, I was a grown woman, for crying out loud. And second, I wasn’t the jealous type, never had been.
Brock stopped walking momentarily, and I paused to see what the holdup was.
“By the way, there’s a dance tonight after the fair. I hope you can go with . . . us.” He’d hesitated, not wanting to make it seem like a date, and I was okay with that. There was no denying the attraction between us, but leaping right into dating, especially after our rocky start, was probably not a good idea. Or at least I told myself that.
I’d just met Brock, and I knew in a few days, he would be gone again. Besides, I wasn’t sure if I was ready to open my heart up like that. In my last relationship, I’d been betrayed. I’d sworn I would be careful next time, and something about Brock Shaw screamed the opposite of careful. His dangerous job. His past—which was clearly something he was still dealing with—and the fact that he had a son.
But when he touched me or smiled at me, my heart told me it wanted to open up and let this man in. It wanted to take the leap.
“I’d love to go to the dance with y’all.”
We continued walking toward his truck as Blayze pulled on Brock’s hand to hurry up.
“First thing we have to do is go to the ducks,” Blayze declared.
Brock and I both chuckled as we all climbed into the truck. “Then what?” I asked.
“Then the rides! Do you like carnival rides, Miss Lincoln?”
Turning around and facing him, I smiled. “I do! I love them.”
His blue eyes lit up, and I could see his father in him.
I couldn’t help but wonder what Blayze’s mother had looked like. Did he get his eyes from his father? Or did Brock’s wife have blue eyes as well?
“I’m so glad you came with us! Daddy doesn’t like all the rides.”
My eyes went to Brock, who was now driving. “How could you not like the rides?”
He shrugged. “Never been a fan of them.”
“But you ride bulls for a living. I would think you would like the rush of the rides.”
He brought the truck to a stop and looked directly at me. “There are only two things I love to ride that I get a thrill out of . . . and one of those two things, the rush is shared with someone else, and it has nothing to do with bulls.”
I looked away, feeling my face heat. Because I was pretty damn sure that the “someone else” comment was meant for me. Maybe I was still wound up over thoughts of that kiss. Crap.
“What’s your favorite ride, Miss Lincoln?” Blayze asked, causing me to pull my mind away from the image of Brock and sex.
“Um . . . I’m not sure I have a favorite.” Why did my voice sound all shaky?
When I peeked over at Brock, he was smiling like he knew exactly where my mind had just gone. Those dimples were going to be the death of me.
“Well, I don’t have a favorite either! So, that means we can ride them all!”
Chapter Ten
BROCK
I watched as Blayze and Lincoln rode on the Flying Dinos. My dick strained against my jeans as Lincoln laughed and let out a couple of small screams, purely for Blayze’s entertainment.
I didn’t want to admit that I loved seeing her with him, or how much he was enjoying it.