Page 16 of Denim & Diamonds

I chose to ignore them and took a deep breath of the spicy scent. “Well, thank you for cooking and for having me here. I could most definitely get used to this.”

He shook his head. “You’d tire of it fast. I imagine your dinners in the City are a bit fancier than stew in a crockpot.”

“Yes, but that doesn’t make them any better. Going out gets old. This is novel. I can’t remember the last time a man made me a home-cooked meal.”

“Well, don’t get too used to it, unless you like stew. I don’t have a big repertoire. Beef stew is pretty much it. Maybe a little pasta and red sauce.”

“I like that, too.” I winked. “But sadly, I don’t have enough time left to get used to anything.”

He frowned. “That’s true.”

“Honestly, not once since I’ve been here in Meadowbrook have I missed my life in the City. That’s saying something. ”

“But you’re still going back.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “Let’s not put a damper on this night by reminding ourselves.”

“I can agree to that.” He nodded. “Let’s keep it upbeat tonight.”

Brock set the table and served us each a steaming bowl of his hearty stew. I was impressed. Not only had he added potatoes and carrots, but some fresh thyme.

“This looks absolutely amazing, Brock.”

“I brought all of the ingredients to make your favorite drink, too, but it doesn’t really go with stew. You want me to make you one, or do you feel like something else?”

Getting even a little buzzed didn’t fit with my mood tonight. “You know, I’d actually like to stay sober.”

“Well, needless to say, after yesterday I’m perfectly okay with that.”

“Anything to drink is fine.”

Brock took two ice-cold seltzers out of the fridge for us. The cold, fizzy liquid complemented the hot stew perfectly.

After Brock served me a second helping, I was totally stuffed. “Mr. Hawkins, that was the tastiest dinner I’ve had in a long damn time.”

“You liked the moose meat, eh?”

My eyes widened. “Moose?”

“That’s what you just ate.”

“It is?” My jaw dropped.

He chuckled. “No, it was regular beef. Relax.”

“Not sure why that freaked me out. Maybe because of the giant moose head that’s been judging me from your wall since the moment I walked in. Don’t want to think about eating the other half of him. ”

“I just wanted to see how adventurous you were…”

“I’m adventurous, just not when it comes to what I put in my mouth.” I froze, realizing how that sounded.

He arched a brow. “Interesting…okay. I was kind of hoping for the opposite.” He winked. “Kidding.”

“Oh, I know you are, Mr. Cautious.”

“Don’t tempt me, Red. I don’t have as great a hold over my inhibitions as you seem to think.”

“Well, certainly not with any alcohol in your system, as last night indicated.”

“I had no alcohol in my system when I took your beautiful lips earlier, though. Sober as a judge for that.” He groaned. “If we’d been truly alone, not sure I would’ve stopped there.”

“You’re alone with me now.” I raised an eyebrow. “How are you managing to control yourself?”

“By not starting anything…as much as I want to.”

We moved over to the couch, and I silently willed him to kiss me again.

What would be so bad about two adults engaging in a little carnal fun, anyway?

No hot mics around here… But my brain answered that question for me: This would be more than just sex for both of us.

Our hearts were getting involved, so we had to tread lightly.

I’d never gotten attached to anyone in such a short amount of time; this was new for me.

“I know it might seem like I’m not interested in anything serious based on my reckless behavior with Tobias, but I would like to find someone I can spend my life with.

I feel like I’ve given you the impression that I’m only out for a good time.

I may have divulged too much about the situation that brought me here.

But that whole thing was entirely insignificant and separate from my true desires. ”

“I’m not judging you, Red. I promise. Despite having made a couple of dumb decisions, you’ve never struck me as someone who takes things lightly. Well, except for jackets. You definitely take wearing a jacket lightly.”

“And you don’t take anything lightly. But I like that about you.”

With that, Brock leaned in and kissed me senseless.

My brain short-circuited as my back pressed against the cushions under the weight of his body.

Our tongues collided, and I felt my panties getting wet.

For the first time, I began to doubt whether we could get through this evening without having sex.

And I was starting to feel a little chicken.

“I don’t take kissing you lightly,” he said as he came up for breath.

“What happened to your plan to not start anything?” I panted.

“My plans always change when it comes to you, Red.”

I straightened the wrinkles in my shirt. “Well, as much as I’d like to spend the night, I don’t think we should sleep together. It would complicate things.”

“Thank you for the formal clarification. Unfortunately, I agree.”

“I have no desire to go back to the wellness center, though. It’s too cozy and warm here.”

He shrugged. “So don’t. Sleep in my bed tonight. I’ll crash here on the couch. Then I’ll drive you back in the morning.”

While it was tempting, I shook my head. “I can’t do that. ”

“Why not? You’ve slept in my bed before with me . Can’t get any more dangerous than that, and not a thing happened.”

He had a point. I could totally do this.

“If you want me to spend the night…then yeah, okay.” I smiled.

“I want to fuck you hard is what I want.” His eyes seared into mine. “But that won’t happen. Doesn’t mean I won’t dream about it.”

And now I felt tingly all over.

We snuggled together on the couch, and despite our plan for me to move to the bed, Oak had plans of his own. He rested his chin on my lap and fell asleep. His head was like a giant paperweight.

“Well, I can’t move now. I don’t want to wake him.”

“He’s exhausted from violating the cow I won you at the fair for three days straight.”

“He’s horny.”

“He’s not the only one around here lately.” Brock grinned mischievously. “And this would be the first time he’s slept out here in the living room in…I don’t know how long. He’s usually in the tub by now.” He chuckled. “You make him feel comfortable enough to risk being attacked by his own shadow.”

“If that’s my claim to fame, Hawkins, I’ll take it.”

Brock leaned his head against my shoulder. “He must sense what I sense.”

“What’s that?”

“That you’re nothing to be afraid of. You’re vulnerable and beautiful. And honest.”

“Well, I’m happy you feel that way.”

“I wish I didn’t. I wish you’d give me a reason not to be devastated that you’re leaving. ”

Our eyes locked.

“Seriously, let me move him if you’d like to get up,” he finally said.

I shook my head. “I can think of far worse places to be stuck than on a comfy couch with a fire blazing. And believe it or not, I like how his face feels on my lap.”

Brock smirked. “I’ve got a face, too.”

“I guess I walked right into that one.”

“Trust me, though, if it was my face on your lap, neither of us would be sleeping.”

Rather than retreat to his bed, Brock grabbed a giant plaid blanket and draped it over us.

Oak never moved that night.

And neither did we.