Part 4 (1/2)
”Didn't mean to scare you.”
”I was in my head,” she said honestly, turning to him.
He cut the engine and unbuckled his seatbelt. ”Was I in there, too?”
She flushed a little. ”That's for me to know.”
”Oh, I think I know.” He gave her a familiar, c.o.c.ky grin before getting out of his truck.
Unbuckling her seatbelt, she waited while he walked around to her side and opened the door. ”Let's get you inside, pretty lady, before you freeze.”
She took his hand, the size of it engulfing hers. ”I'm hot natured.”
”Good to know because I'm not.”
The heat he was throwing her way said otherwise. ”Do you expect me to share my body heat with you?” Lord. The things coming out of her mouth! And on a first date to boot.
He gathered her in his strong arms, leaning her against the seat. Every so often, a gust of cold air would blow over them, but the heater still going at full force kept her toasty. And his body-dear Lord, his body. Austin towered over her. The muscles that touched her... if she were the swooning type, swoon city would most definitely be ahead.
Thankfully, she wasn't that type because she'd made enough of a fool of herself over him tonight. Although, he certainly had made her feel like the exact opposite of a fool.
”What if I get caught in a snowstorm and the only way I would survive is by you sharing that body heat with me? You wouldn't let me die, would you?” He winked at her.
She playfully rolled her eyes. ”I'd let Libby warm you up.”
”That's mighty kind of you, Ms. Bell,” he said in a familiar Jessamine drawl that made her simultaneously want to laugh and take him to bed.
Pressing her lips together, she tried in vain to keep from laughing.
”Oh, go on, I like that laugh.”
”Would you stop? There is no way you're that charming in real life.”
He shook his head, the look on his face solemn. ”'Fraid so, ma'am.”
She dissolved into a fit a giggles.
”I'd like to kiss you goodnight.”
Abruptly, her laughter stopped and her breath got caught in her throat for a moment. ”You'd like to what?”
”You don't have to say yes, but I sure would like it if you did,” Austin murmured. ”Just one kiss and if you don't like it, I swear, I'll never kiss you again.”
That was unexpected. ”I don't know if I believe you.”
His blue eyes gleamed. ”That's because I know you'll like kissing me.”
She leaned back in his embrace. ”You sure are c.o.c.ky. Is that an athlete thing?”
”Nah. That's a me thing.” His head dipped close to hers. ”Remember to say no whenever you feel a need to, Harper.”
His body pressed against hers more fully. The delicious weight of him made her sigh and wrap her arms around his neck. Full lips touched her throat, his lips partly open as they nuzzled her skin.
She felt as though she were melting into him. Desire turned her bones into molten lava. A moan left her. Her nipples tightened. A hot rush of pure l.u.s.t flooded her body until her knees became weak.
”Harper, look at me, sweetheart.”
Forcing her gaze on him, she leaned up to kiss him. He pulled back a little, the interior lights of the truck highlighting the color of his eyes. She'd never seen any so blue in color.
Just go for it, Harper. Let the new year bring out the new you.
”You can come inside if you want,” she said in a voice that sounded nothing like herself.
Something flashed in his eyes, something that made him pause and made her flush hot with embarra.s.sment. She struggled to get out of his embrace.
”Hey, hey. I'll let you go, but I didn't hesitate because I don't want to kiss you,” he said, and she stilled in his arms.
”Why did you stop?”
”Because I'm moving way too fast for a first date. We're practically in the middle of Jessamine, and I'm not treating you like a lady.” Brus.h.i.+ng his lips against her cheek, he straightened and pulled her with him to a standing position. ”Trust me, I wanted to do more than simply kiss you.”
”Maybe I wanted to do more than simply kiss, too,” she pointed out.
He caressed her cheek, and then tucked a wayward curl behind her ear. Just like that, desire for him sparked again. ”Maybe I'll let you take the lead next time.”
”Let me?”
”Or I can stay in charge.”
”Oh, please, Mr. Lawson. I let you think you're in charge tonight.”
”Swear to G.o.d, Harper, if you don't stop being so sa.s.sy, I'll be forced to kiss you senseless.”
Letting go of him, she ducked under his arm and glanced over her shoulder at him. ”Maybe next time, I'll let you.”
He threw his head back and laughed. It was such a guy thing to do and the sound... the sound was pure joy to her ears.
”What time should I be here tomorrow?” he asked.
”Libby likes to go in the afternoon, so three.”
A rakish smile covered his face. ”I'll be here.”
She started to walk away, but he stopped her with a light touch on her arm. ”What?”
”Can you promise me something?” he asked, all that charm formerly on display gone.