Page 44 of Denim & Diamonds

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 takeanythinglightly. 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.