Page 69 of Finding Gideon

I laughed quietly. “Tempting. But no.”

He pulled back enough to look up at me, eyes still half-lidded. “Again, rude.”

I pressed a kiss to his temple. “Get ready, baby. I’m taking you out.”

His brows lifted slightly. “What?”

“I’m taking you out.”

That woke him up a little more. “Like… outout?”

“Yep.”

“Like—on a date?” His voice cracked slightly, sleepy-giddy disbelief edging in.

“A real one,” I said. “You know. Outside. In clothes.”

He pushed up on one elbow, the sheet slipping low across his hips. “You’re serious.”

“Mark your calendar. This is our first one.”

A flush crept across his cheeks. “I’ve never actually been on one.”

Something twisted in my chest. I pushed up enough to look him in the eyes. “Then I guess I better make it count.”

His smile turned softer. “You already are.”

I kissed him again, morning breath and all.

“You’ll love it.”

He rolled his eyes, but the smile stayed on his lips. “You sound awfully confident for someone who used the phrase ‘mark your calendar’ like we’re eighty.”

“You’ll survive.”

Gideon leaned in and pecked me on the cheek. Then he pulled away with a grin. “You better feed me first.”

“Already planned to.”

“Now I’m scared.”

“Good,” I said, hopping out of the bed.

Forty-five minutes later, Gideon was in the truck, bare feet propped on the dash like he owned the place. Sunlight spilled across his thighs, warming the frayed edges of his shorts. I’d left him listening to music while I went inside Don't Go Bakin' My Heart to get some goodies for us to munch on.

“You were gone for an entire album,” he said, reaching for the brown paper bag in my hand.

I burst into laughter. “An entire album, my ass.” I checked my phone. I wasn’t even gone for ten minutes.

He rolled his eyes. “Can you blame me for losing all sense of time? I’m so damn hungry.” He cradled the bag like it was a damn treasure. “Tell me there are carbs.”

“Cinnamon rolls. Still warm.”

“God, yes.” Opening the bag, he continued, “I knew I let you wreck me last night for a reason.”

I slid into the driver’s seat, still grinning. “You keep saying things like that, and I’ll turn this date around.”

He bit into the roll before answering, a happy hum escaping his throat. “Where are we going?”