“I like having you here. More than I could have ever thought possible.”
I pull back and peer up at him. “I like being here.”
“This isn’t a one-time thing, right? Please tell me you’ll give me another date.”
“I’d like that.”
He moves his hands to rest against my cheeks. “Can I kiss you?”
“Is that what you want?” I repeat our earlier words.
He grins. “Yes.”
“This is our first date.” I feel his hands start to drop, so I quickly grip his wrists, holding them in place. “This is our first date, but it doesn’t feel that way. It feels like we’ve been here before.”
He nods. “I thought maybe it was just me.”
“It’s not just you. I feel… connected to you.” My words are soft as I wait for him to look at me like I’ve lost my damn mind. The look never comes.
“It feels right, Jade. We feel right. I don’t want this to be our only date. Hell, I don’t want to take you home. I’d love nothing more than to carry you to my room and wrap you up in my arms and hold you all night long.”
“Just hold me?” I ask. I can’t believe I’m being this bold that I feel comfortable enough with him to speak my mind.
“If that’s your subtle way of asking me if I’d make love to you, then I’ll have to revert that answer back to you. But first, I want you to know that it would be an honor for you to give me that kind of trust, to allow me inside you. It would also be an honor to be the man you chose to sleep next to. To know that you feel safe enough to let me hold you all night long in my bed. I want it all, Jade. I want anything and everything you're ready to give me.”
“I want all of that, but I have to be up early tomorrow. I… don’t want to rush that.”
He grins. “When I make love to you, I’m going to need hours. Maybe even days,” he says, leaning in and softly brushing his lips with mine. “Let’s go back outside. We can talk a little more, and when you’re ready, I’ll take you home.”
“Orrin, tonight has been incredible. I’ve loved every minute. Please thank your brothers and Deacon for me for helping you set this all up.”
“Nope. Not until I know you’re mine. If they find out how damn sweet you are, they might try and steal you from me. I’m not going to let that happen.”
“Stop.” I laugh, stepping out of his reach. “You and I both know that the bro code between the nine of you is strong, and Deacon, he doesn’t see anyone but Ramsey.”
“Like I can’t see anyone but you.”
I pull in a deep breath. “Did you spend last night and today thinking about things you could say to me to make me feel as though my insides are melting into a puddle of goo?”
He laughs. “No, sweetheart. I spent the day helping each of my brothers, making sure everything was perfect for tonight. As far as the things I say, I’m just speaking from my heart. I’m not holding back with you. For the first time in my life, I’ve found someone who makes me want more, and I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but I’m taking my old man’s lecture I’ve heard a thousand times by heart.”
“And what’s that?”
“Work hard and love harder.”
My mouth falls open.
“I’m not saying I’m in love with you.” He hops off the counter and steps in close. He wraps his arms around me but leaves us enough distance that we can still look into each other’s eyes. “But for the first time in my life, I feel myself falling. I know it’s fast, but I’ve wanted to ask you out for months.”
“Is that the Kincaid family motto?”
He chuckles. “Something like that. Our dad, he passes out words of wisdom like its candy, but that one, that’s the one he always comes back to time and time again.”
“He gives good advice.”
“He does. Come on, let’s head back outside.” Stepping away, he takes my hand and leads me outside. Once we’re on the patio, I know I need to swallow my nerves and address his confession.
“Hey, Orrin.” He stops and turns to look at me, giving me his full attention. “I can feel myself falling too.”
I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t for him to turn, lift me in his arms and kiss the breath from my lungs. His hands grip the back of my thigh, as he kisses me like this could be his last chance to ever do so. When he finally pulls away, he rests his forehead against mine. Neither one of us say a word as we try to catch our breath. I don’t know how much time passes before he begins walking, carrying me to the blanket. He sets me on my feet and drops down to the blanket. I follow suit, and he pulls me into his arms. Together we stare up at the night sky, not needing words to fill the silence.