How could I not be?
I wondered at that moment if she would be the death of me. I felt like I was standing on the edge of the cliff, looking over, begging to fall into heavenly bliss. Hell, even if I fell to my gruesome death it would be worth it. I knew I’d still see an angel in my dreams.
“I’m gonna need you to stop making those sexy noises over there, darlin’.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Is it making you want other things?” She giggled at me and I laughed because for the first time she was free to be herself with me and I loved every fucking second of it.
“You keep doing it and you’ll see what happens. There’s plenty of places around here I could sneak you off to do sinfully naughty things. Do not tempt me. I’m trying to be a gentleman, but I only have so much self-control when it comes to you, sweetheart.”
She picked up another churro and although she didn’t make a noise, this time, she rolled her eyes into the back of her head like she’d just had the best mouth orgasm of her life. I was so jealous, but if things pan out the way I wanted. I’d have her open for me later, spread out of my bed while I feasted on her like a starving man.
“Hey, are you going to have one?” She looked at me questioningly and the corner of my lip quirked into a smile.
“Only if you feed it to me.” And she did just that.
Everything about this date had been like a fairy tale. Beau had been the perfect gentleman. He was kind, gentle, giving, funny, and naughty in the best possible way. It felt like a dream date, one you only thought about as a young woman. What woman doesn’t want to go to the county fair on a date with the man she’s been crushing on?
The way he kisses makes my toes curl in my boots and the way he works my body like a string instrument, playing the sweetest symphony is something I’ve only ever read about in trashy romance books. Yet, he’s real and he’s doing everything right.
I wondered what the rest of the night held for us as I looked into his dark brown eyes.
“So, what’s up next for tonight, darlin’?”
“Well, Reagan invited us to go sing karaoke and drink with them later…”
He quirked an eyebrow. “Do you really want to hang out with my sister and Rhett?”
I shook my head. The answer was no. I wanted to spend the night with Beau. To do all the things that normal couples in relationships did with each other. To feel his rough hand against my own as he held it. To feel the warmth of his body pressed against me. To feel his lips on my skin, burning good memories into my soul.
“There’s an opening concert tonight. I can’t remember who the band is, but I’ve heard they’re good. I know we’re coming back next Friday to see Chris Lane. It could be fun… dancing, music, drinks…”
“I’d love to go with you.”
“That’s my girl…” He looked up at me in shock as the words escaped his lips. Almost as though he hadn’t really expected to say them and was nervous about how I would react to the fact that he did.
I smiled over at him.
He chuckled at me. “Hey, lean over here… you’ve got some stuff on your…”
I leaned over and his fingers brushed the sides of my lips as if a lightning bolt charged up and ran down my veins. “Lips. There, I got it.”
He smiled that devilish, heaven-help-me-smile and I almost melted. How one touch could send electricity shooting through me was still incredible.
How could one single look make me feel like the most cherished woman in the whole entire world? Before I came home, I was beginning to think that my life was over. That there was no way up from here, but month by month Beau was changing my view on life, making me a true believer that anything is possible. That maybe not every bad thing is coming my way and just maybe I can have a tiny shred of joy. Of peace. To have the love that I watch my mother and father share with each other.
I want it.
I want it all and I want it with Beau. The man who’s showing me that love isn’t scary. I don’t have to be scared of the person that tells me they love me. I don’t have to fear that every ‘I love you’ is going to come with something expected or a bad consequence. I don’t have to keep looking over my shoulder at the past wondering what happens next and if it will kill me.
“So… more games so I can impress you with my manly strength or the concert? You decide.”
“Concert. I already know you’re manly, Beau. You’re one of the best men I’ve ever met.”
He raised up from the picnic table, extending his hand to me. “Well, we’ve got a concert to get to then.”
I placed my small hand in his larger calloused one. This is a man who has worked for a living. Has seen the earth at its best and worst and still continues to make a profit from her. Beau was so unlike Andrew that I didn’t know why my brain even thought about comparing them. I rose from my seat and he pulled me around the picnic table so we were standing side by side. He lifted up my hand gently and kissed it. His lips against my skin yet again sent tingles shivering down my body. I was in deep and if this was hell then let me perish in the flames forever.
We made our way zigging and zagging through the fairgrounds. A thrill of excitement
