"You are dressed perfectly." His eyes run up and down my body appreciatively. My body breaks out in goosebumps as if he was actually touching me.
He clears his throat, "Ben picked out some fried chicken place. Everything is deep-fried and served in a basket. Nothing fancy."
On the drive there, I ask him about Ben.
"So, you two went to college together?"
"Yeah, he lives in a small town outside Amarillo, and he couldn't wait to go away to school, experience the world, and I guess we bonded over it. We were roommates freshman year and became fast friends and stayed roommates all through college. By the time we graduated, he couldn't wait to head home and settle in that small town."
"Does he know about us? Or is it okay if he does?"
"He knows how I felt, well feel, about you. I spilled my guts one night with a bit too much to drink after a bad date. It's why he was so willing to drive into Amarillo. He wants to meet you. We can tell him because he doesn't know Nate."
I nod as we pull into a place that has more outdoor picnic bench seating than seats indoors.
"West!" A man calls as we get out of the car.
"Ben. Good to see you."
"So, this is the famous Rory?" Ben walks over with his arms open to give me a hug, but West steps in front of him, stopping him.
"Don't touch," West growls, and Ben bursts out laughing.
"Let's go get some food. Think we have a lot to catch up on."
After we get our food, we snag a table outside in the shade, kind of away from everyone. Like a true cop, Ben takes the seat with his back toward the wall facing out so he can watch everything.
"So, did he finally admit his feelings for you?" Ben goes straight to the point.
"Yep, and I admitted my feelings for him."
"See! I told you she liked you! You should have made a move back then, man," Ben says.
Weston just shakes his head but smiles and changes the topic.
"First of all, no one can know. When we see her brother in a week, we’ll tell him then. Second, are you seeing anyone?"
"I got it. And no. I just bought a small ranch at an auction, and when I'm not on duty, I'm busting my ass to get that place up and going. The house needs some love, and I should be able to move in next month. The land needs a lot more love, but a guy I went to high school with offered to help me out for just room and board."
"That great man! I know you were always torn between ranching and being a cop. Now you can do both."
"Yep, and eventually, I’ll want to do one more than the other, and then I’ll know for sure."
As we eat, they talk about old times and guys they knew in school.
"Where do you live, Ben?" I ask during one of the breaks in the conversation.
"Walker Lake, Texas. It's a beautiful, small town situated around Walker Lake. Many ranchers have lakes homes there for the few times they can get away."
During the conversation, West rests his hand on my leg, and suddenly that’s all I can think about. I don't hear what they’re talking about or notice anything happening around me.
My entire body is focused on West's hand on my bare thigh as he slowly rubs up and down my inner thigh. He ever so slowly moves a bit higher on each stroke. How is he paying perfect attention to Ben while he is driving me crazy like this?
When dinner is over, Ben says goodbye and goes out to his truck. But it takes me a bit longer to move because I can't take my eyes off of West as he clears our table off.
As we walk back to the car, he pulls me against his side, and his thumb slips under the bottom of my shirt. When he strokes the bare skin just above the top of my shorts, it once again drives me crazy.
The moment we get to the car he moves fast, and his lips are on mine, and he has me pinned to the side of the car. With his hips pushed into me, there is no mistaking how hard he is.