My cheeks burned. “Thanks for entertaining me.” I walked to the car, and he followed. When I popped the hatchback, he went for the blanket I kept folded up there, and he spread it out on the ground.
He took my hand, and I sat with him. “I want to lose these shoes,” I said. “Do you mind?”
“Get comfortable.” He sat beside me and lay back. His knees bent so they stayed on the blanket. “I know I am.”
I slipped off the heels and joined him. But before I could say anything, he pointed up to the sky. “Do you see that? It was a shooting star.”
“That’s an airplane,” I said with a laugh.
“No, it’s not. Make a wish.”
“You know it’s a plane.” I elbowed his side. “Stop teasing me.”
“Look. There’s another one.”
“That’s another plane.”
“I don’t believe it,” he said. “It’s a UFO. I’m sure of it.”
“I think you’re right.”
He turned over on his side and faced me. “Why did you want me to be your first?” he asked. “Of everyone else in the world?”
“I like you. I think you’re sexy and amazing. You’re a nice guy. You’re not like secretly married, are you?”
“No, I’m not secretly married.”
“Do you have a girl back home?” I wondered about the tattoo and if he’d explain it now.
He smiled. “Not a girlfriend, no.”
It didn’t make any sense to me why someone hadn’t snatched him up already. But then, maybe he was hard to hold. “Why? You’re a catch.”
“A catch? I guess they keep throwing me back.”
“Is there something wrong with you that I’m missing? Because you seem pretty perfect to me.” He was more than perfect. At least to my eyes and needs.
Zane made a sound of disagreement. “I’m not perfect. By far.”
“You said you had gotten tested after your last relationship. Did something bad happen?”
“Yeah, it ended badly. She cheated on me and stole from me, and a whole lot of other shit I don’t want to think about while lying under the stars with you. But I guess I’ve just been afraid to get back into anything. I put all of my time and energy into making a living and my home life.”
“I can see that. It’s why I’ve remained a virgin until now, I guess. I thought I’d lose my V-card a few times, but it didn’t happen. I couldn’t go that far.”
“Well, if it matters, I’m honored to have been your first. I just wish you would have said something. I’m still mad at you for that.” He cut me a look with his brows lowered, and it made him look almost pouty, which made my body tingle.
“Why be mad?”
“Because. Are you kidding? Aside from it being your special moment, I didn’t even get to enjoy knowing I was banging a virgin.” He cut me a look and grinned as I nudged him again. “Seriously, though, that’s really hot. Not many people wait as long as you did. I’m glad it was me, although I think you deserve better.”
It was sweet that he thought that way. “I think I had the best.” I rolled over to face him, resting on my palm.
“I’m an ogre,” he said. He reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.
“No, you’re not.” I nudged him again, and he laughed.
He leaned in and kissed me, and we lay there making out that way for what felt like hours. After, I rested in his arms as we watched the sky, and there really was a shooting star.
I made my wish. I didn’t want him to ever leave. And if he did, I wished he’d take me with him.
After an hour passed, my stomach growled so loudly that it was embarrassing. I hoped he didn’t hear it, but he turned his head and gave me a nudge. “Let’s go back into town and grab something to eat.” The suggestion couldn’t be a coincidence.
“Okay,” I said, sitting up. “I’m not going to complain.”
“Well, if that tummy of yours growls any louder, I’m going to think there’s a coyote in the shadows.” He grinned and got to his feet. He took my hand and pulled me up.
“I’m so embarrassed,” I said, rolling my eyes. “I didn’t eat much at lunch.”
“Do you know a place we can go to? I don’t really want to eat buffet food again, no offense.”
“None taken. I know just the place.”
Zane grinned. “Then I’m game. You know this town better than me.” He picked up the blanket and shook it out. Then he folded it and returned it to the back of the car while I got in behind the wheel and started the engine.
When he slid into the seat beside me, he shut the door and leaned over to kiss me.
When he pulled away, I sighed. “Does this mean you still like me?” I asked. “Even though I didn’t take your clothes off?”
“The night’s still young. But yeah, I like you even if you don’t.” He stole another kiss and pulled on his seatbelt.
The more I was with him, the more I was falling. Heartbreak, here I come.
Chapter 21
Zane
I couldn’t believe we’d laid on that blanket without getting naked, but it wasn’t because that was all I cared about. After the fun romp in the storage closet, I thought that maybe she had a new scheme, but to my surprise, she didn’t.
Her restraint was refreshing, though, and while I couldn’t believe I felt that way about her, it was good just to spend some time talking. I wanted to learn more about her than what position she liked best, and even that surprised me.
Since Mila, I had changed. She made me want to be a better man, and in a way, I guessed Tara did too. I wanted to be good to her.
Then it hit me. Am I falling for her? I asked myself that as we drove out of the desert. I think I am.
“Don’t get quiet on me,” she said. “You’re making me nervous.”
“What? Nervous? I’ve seen you naked.”
She grinned, and I loved the way her cheeks would blush anytime I said something naughty. “Do you like pizza?”
“Yeah, I love it.” I wanted to tell her how it was one of Mila’s favorites and how I liked to take her out to my favorite pizza place at least twice a month when I wasn’t in the field, but then, I’d have had to tell her about Mila.
I wasn’t sure she even liked kids or what she would think about me for having one and no wife. And of course, having to explain that was something I’d rather not do. I didn’t want to spoil the night with Heather-drama. She’d taken enough from me.
We drove back into the city and made our way to the outskirts. She slowed the car and turned into the Cosmopolitan. “Are you taking me to another hotel buffet?”
“No, it’s a little place I like to come to with Karen now and then.”
“As long as it’s not a buffet, I’m in.”
“Hey, good things come from buffets, but don’t worry. This is pizza, just like I promised, and it’s the best.”
“Why haven’t I heard of it?”
“Because it’s a secret.” She giggled. “Seriously, it’s word of mouth only.”
“Okay, I don’t know how a place does business like that around here.”
She giggled. “They manage.”
We entered the building and went to the elevators. “Are you sure you’re not taking me to a room?” I asked as the elevator door closed us in alone.
She looked up at me and rolled her eyes. “You wish.”
I belted out a laugh, but she captured my mouth, bringing her arms around my neck. We kissed until we reached the third floor.
“Come on,” she said, taking my hand. “I’ll show you my secret place.”
“Mmm. This just keeps getting better.” I was still not sure where she was taking me, but when we turned the corner down a long hallway covered with albums, I could tell that it was definitely not what I was expecting.
At the end of that hallway was Secret Pizza, and it wasn’t much of a secret at all. The place was busy, and I could see why she liked it there.
“This is amazing,�
�� I said. She had really pulled off another surprise.
We found a private spot to sit, which was hard to do, but it was intimate enough that we could chat and hear each other.
“So, how are you not married?” I asked. She had asked me the same thing earlier in the night, and now it was my turn to direct the conversation back at her. “You’re beautiful, smart, funny, and not afraid of hard work.”
“Must be my coffee-making skills,” she said, shaking her head.
“Well, maybe I’ll have to give you another lesson.” I gave her a wink as our order was brought to us. “I’m serious, though. Don’t you want to get married and have a family?”
She blanched, cringing away as if that was the worst topic in the world. “I’d love to find that forever person, but I’m not sure about kids.”
I slumped in my seat as she delivered that blow. “No kids ever? But you’d make a great mom.”
She shook her head again. “I’m not sure about that, but I’m not saying never. I just don’t want any now, and certainly not in this town or anytime soon.”
“Oh, I can see that.” As long it wasn’t a never kind of situation. “What would you think about coming up to North Dakota sometime?” I threw it out there, hoping to get a good reaction. If she liked the idea, I was willing to make it happen.
Her brows lifted in surprise. “I’d like that. It would be nice to get away for a while.”
A certain sense of satisfaction came over me. I’d love to have her at my house. “You could do some of your photography and painting and take a break from all of this.”
“Yeah,” she said. “It’s just not that easy. I can’t take off work for too long at a time. And my job comes first. I have to pay the rent.”
I wondered if she lived paycheck to paycheck and struggled. I realized that I didn’t know a whole lot about her personal life. “I understand that. But I like that you have responsibilities and make them your priority.”
She giggled. “Thanks, but it’s not like I have a choice.”
“Oh, you’d be surprised. I’ve seen people let it all go just to get a quick fix of pleasure. It takes someone special who is willing to actually work for a living and keep going without letting it drag them down. I admire that a lot.” Mostly because I had seen someone throw her entire life, freedom, and family away for drugs. And she had it all.
“Well, again, thanks. But I want to have a good life and eventually a home of my own someplace where it’s quiet and peaceful. I want to hear nature. Not cars and noise pollution. Working and saving is the only way I’ll ever have something like that.”
I was all of sudden thinking about how I could give her all of those things.
“You’d like my house. I have a big porch on the back, and there are no other houses too close to mine, but I do have a neighbor across the street. It’s really quiet.” Other than when Mila was tromping through the house, but I wouldn’t trade that noise for anything. Just thinking about her laughter made me miss her even more.
We enjoyed our food, both still talking about our lives and what we wanted from them. How work affected things, and how she didn’t have a lot but was making it.
She was a strong woman. I loved that about her. She was just perfect for me, aside from the kid thing. Parenthood wasn’t for everyone, though, and who was I to impose my life on hers? I couldn’t have her resenting me for anything, and especially not Mila, when her life turned out different than she’d imagined.
Asking someone to take on the responsibility of helping you with your kids was a big deal. And if she had any qualms about kids, maybe she wasn’t the woman for me after all. As much as it sucked, it was what it was, and Mila came first no matter what.
I’d just have to make the most of the next few days with her, and with any luck, we could keep in touch and see if life ever brought us both to the same path. But dammit, I just didn’t want it to end.
“I’ve had fun tonight, Tara. The stars and the pizza were perfect.” I took a drink of my soda and wiped my mouth. “That really was the best pizza I’ve had in a long time.”
“Good, I’m glad you liked it. I felt a little pressure to please since I’ve been so spontaneous.”
“Well, not getting me naked was a surprise.”
“The night’s still young,” she said, wagging her brows as I had earlier.
“No, let’s just enjoy each other’s company. No more expectations.” I was falling for her and was only going to make myself crazy when I had to go back home. “If it happens, it happens. No more plans, right? Does that include instigating?”
“Expectations aren’t terrible,” she said. “But if that’s how you want it.” She looked as if she was upset, and the silence stretched out a bit. “Did I say something wrong?”
The questions came from left field. “No, not at all. I guess I just don’t want you to think that all I want from you is sex.”
“It’s not?”
“Damn. Really?” I thought she was past making me feel like a bad guy. “Still thinking the worst about me after all we’ve been through?”
She shook her head. “That came out wrong. I just mean you want more?” She looked a bit confused, and I could tell she was waiting for me to clarify.
“I meant it’s not all I am interested in. I like you, Tara. I have fun with you. And I do hope we can see more of each other.”
“You’ve already seen every part of me,” she teased.
“You know what I mean. Would you like that? Maybe even after I’ve gone home? I thought you might like to keep in touch.”
“Of course I’d like that. If you really mean it. I mean, you really want it too?”
“Yeah, is that so hard to believe?” Sometimes, I didn’t think she realized how tempting she could be.
“And you’re not mentioning me coming out to North Dakota just to be nice, are you? Don’t get my hopes up.”
“I’d never want to play with you like that, Tara. I don’t like games. I don’t want to be played with. I’ve been through that, so I’d never do it.”
“Good,” she said. “Because I really like you too.”
Chapter 22
Tara
I had just finished getting ready for work the next morning when Karen showed up at my place. She pounded on the door as if someone was chasing her with an ax. “It’s me,” she called. “Let me in, Tara. I have to pee!”
I hurried over with my keys in hand and opened the door. “I was just about to leave for work.”
She blazed past me and headed for the bathroom. “I know. I came to get a ride in.”
“You live closer to work than I do.” I didn’t understand that logic. “Unless you didn’t go home last night.” Her hair was a mess.
“Yeah, I didn’t. I stayed out all night and met the most amazing man. He was so generous, and well, I guess I was feeling a little generous too.” She gave a little giggle.
“That’s what you’re calling them these days?” Generous? More like desperate and pervy.
“What about you?” she said, flushing the toilet. “Didn’t you have a hot night out?” She opened the door and washed her hands.
“It was nice. We talked and made out a little.” I had a wonderful time just getting to know Zane better, but I already knew that Karen would say it was boring.
“Made out? You mean you didn’t sleep with him again? I figured by the way you two were going at it in the storeroom yesterday, you’d have been all over each other.” She wagged her brows and gave me a devilish grin.
“It wasn’t like that.” I didn’t know how to explain it to her without sounding too sappy. “It was just a nice time. We laid under the stars and kissed, and we talked over pizza.”
“That sounds romantic.” She gave me a glance sideways. “Interesting. Has it already moved to that level? You should be careful.”
“It was kind of romantic, I suppose. But it was nice. Relationships are not always about sex, Karen. At least not the ones that are serio
us.”
“Oh? Are you in a relationship with him now?”
“Well, no. But we like each other. He’s expressed interest in more. He even invited me to his house sometime when I can manage to get away.” I was still trying to figure out how I could manage that one.
I looked at the time on my phone as she swiped on some lipstick in my bathroom mirror. “We’re both going to be late if you don’t hurry. And I’m not getting in trouble for you today.”
Karen rolled her eyes. “Take it easy. We’ll be on time.” She threw her lipstick in her purse and pulled out her brush.
“No way. I have a mirror in the car. You can brush your hair there.” I headed to the door, and she pouted as she followed me out. I locked up, and we went to the parking lot, where I unlocked my car doors.
“So, you drove him out to the desert to your favorite place?”
“Yes.”
“Did he call you to make sure you got home after?”
What kind of man did she think he was? “I texted him to let him know because he asked me to. He said he had a good time and sweet dreams.”
“Did you at least talk dirty through the text?” she asked. Her game of twenty questions was exhausting. “Come on, Tara. Are you hiding something? It couldn’t have been all romance and no passion.”
“No, that’s it. He knew I had to work. And some of us aren’t that needy.” My tone was a little harsher than it probably should have been, but I could already tell I was going to have a rough day.
“I’m just asking,” she said. “No need to get snippy.”
It was quiet the rest of the way in but only because she started texting the man from the night before. She giggled and played with her hair, snapping photos to send him.
I was surprised she’d pulled herself away from him at all to go to work. It wasn’t often she found a man she wanted to talk to the next day. It wasn’t love, but she was surely interested in his wallet, telling me all about his exciting life. He seemed too good to be true, but I didn’t bother with the warnings. If she didn’t know by then, she’d never learn.
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