by Quinn, Taryn
“An unfortunate side effect of childbirth, I’ve heard.”
“I don’t want to keep her from her mother. For fuck’s sake, I’ve worried she doesn’t see her enough. It’s not like I can provide her with that feminine touch thing as she gets older. Even if I’m not thrilled with the life Jessica leads and the environment in Hollyweird, she’s still her mother. She has a period and understands all that female crap.”
“I’ve never thought of understanding a menstrual cycle as a positive quality before.”
“Try being a dude and you would.” I started to remove my hand and he clamped his over mine, instantly warming it. “Don’t close off from me.”
“I’m not.” Surely my voice wasn’t that high-pitched.
“Wanting Jessica in Dani’s life for her sake isn’t the same as me wanting Jessica. I don’t, in any shape or form. I don’t hate her either. That would be just as bad as loving her, because that would mean she still had a hold on me. She’s just someone I once cared about and made a kid with. The best part of my life.” His grip on me tightened. “I can’t lose her.”
“You won’t. You’ll just tell them she’s full of shit. You don’t have a crazy love life—”
“Minus the swarm?”
“The swarm is gone.”
“Minus the news story.”
“That was a one-time thing.”
“Minus the super hot brunette who I keep kissing and who isn’t my girlfriend in any official sense.”
I looked over my shoulder. “Don’t get your panties twisted. I don’t usually wear skinny jeans.”
He still didn’t laugh, and all at once, it hit me squarely in the stomach how badly I wanted him to. He wasn’t one of those guys who had a ready smile, but the rare moments one broke free were all the more appreciated.
Now his eyes were so heavy and dark, the spring green of his irises nearly swallowed by his pupils in the low light. And I wasn’t one for metaphors, but that wasn’t the only part of him getting lost.
“She’s not going to take your daughter from you.” Tentatively, I stroked the back of his hand, still possessively clamped over mine on his arm. “The reason you have custody of her for the bulk of the year is because you’re a damn good father. Even I can tell that and I’ve only seen you with her a few times. Although I think maybe grounding her over that Facebook stunt would’ve been wise. Next time, she might try to enroll you in America’s Got Talent.”
The faintest quiver of his lips eased the constriction in my chest, just a little. “I don’t have any talents appropriate for that show.”
He probably didn’t intend for that to be a sexual innuendo, but tell that to my out of control hormones. “You don’t say.”
“Jessica isn’t entirely wrong. Maybe I’m not giving Dani the best example.” When I started to argue, he shook his head. “I haven’t brought a woman around her in years. I mean, she has her aunt Alicia, but she travels all the time for work, just like our dad. I haven’t had a date in what feels like a lifetime.”
“You’re on one right now, remember?”
“Oh, I do.” His fingers curved under my palm on his arm. Any minute now, my hand would start to sweat and not just from warmth.
This man had an ability to rattle me like none other.
“I need that whole Facebook mess to go away. It would help if I could present a calm, stable home life for my daughter to the judge if it gets that far. A balanced one.”
“You mean like you actually have? Didn’t see any evidence of you having wild swingers’ parties, unless I missed something.”
“No, but it wouldn’t hurt for her to have a female influence. I didn’t want to be the guy who brought strange women in and out of her life, and I still don’t. But she already likes you.”
There was no missing the note of hope he tacked onto the end of that sentence. “Yeah, and?”
“And I like you. And you like me, I think.”
“I wouldn’t run you over with my car, no.”
Now he did grin. The sight of it after waiting so long for a sliver in the dark cloud that had descended over him made me release a long breath. “There’s a sentiment you don’t see on Hallmark cards.”
“I offered to write for them, but I think my application got lost in the mail.”
“I just bet.” He lifted his hand and I thought he was going to touch my face, but instead, he brushed a loose strand of hair out of my eyes. My cheek tingled as if he’d caressed me just the same. “It would help a lot if we could date. Just in case Jessica follows through and contacts the judge, which I have to think she’s serious about if she’s in town.”
The faintest bit of panic tickled the back of my throat. I swallowed hard to make it dissipate. Dating was fun. Lighthearted. No kind of commitment.
I wasn’t good at those, and most men I’d been involved with definitely weren’t. So, it was better if that word never came up.
“Well, since we are on a date right now, this should qualify. Though you kind of conned me into it, and we haven’t actually done anything date-like yet.”
“Conned you by asking you straight out?”
“In a manner of speaking.”
Finally, he lifted my hand off his arm, but not to offer me any sort of respite. He brought it to his lips and kissed my knuckles, his gaze roving over my face. “I’ll ask you this straight out then. Let’s date. No pressure. No stress. No worries about dramatic breakups when I catch you cheating with the pool boy.”
I narrowed my eyes. “It’s almost fall, so pools are closing. I also don’t even have one, never mind a ‘boy’.”
“Even better.”
I nearly replied ‘or dramatic breakups after I catch you using the copier as a sex bench with your ex.’ It wasn’t exactly first date material either, but why stand on ceremony?
Except it felt like he had enough baggage that I might as well leave mine at the curb.
“I don’t really get what you’re asking. We haven’t even had one date yet. And no offense, I know there are extenuating circumstances and all, but I’m not even sure about the second never mind agreeing to a string of them.”
“You will be. I have plans.”
I arched a brow. “Do they involve eating? My stomach is about to chew through my sternum.”
“Sure. We’ll date as long as it feels good—or until Jessica decides she isn’t interested in any more parenting time than she already has.” He kissed the tips of my fingers and the zing went straight up my arm and down into regions of my body that had no morals. “Or we can put a date on it, depending how things go. With an option to extend of course. Like Halloween.”
“Put a date on it. A date for when we stop dating, although it might be before if Jessica climbs back on her broom and flies away.” Even as I said the words, my brain was whirling.
He was setting up a scenario to prove something he shouldn’t have to. So what he didn’t have a woman in his life? He was just as capable of raising his daughter alone as millions of women were without a partner.
But I was no dummy. I knew judges often sided with mothers in cases like these. And I didn’t know if her money and possible influence would make a difference, but they usually did in most other things, so why not here?
Still, I was wary enough about dating. So, my first foray into it in how long would have artificial parameters that looked good to the outside world? Then again, no messy breakup. No concerns about having to kick his ass out of my personal life while he was still working to get my restaurant ready for opening day.
“It seems messy. Potentially dangerous. You can’t put boxes around feelings. Stuff happens when you date. Why I don’t do it.”
“You mean you might get feelings for me?”
I couldn’t respond fast enough. “No. Of course not. I mean you might get feelings for me.”
“I’ll take my chances. Besides, we’re smart, logical people. We’ll have fun for a couple months and go our separate ways after if it has ru
n its course. You’ll look very good for me in front of the judge. Successful businesswoman and all. Completely upstanding. Not a negative influence even a little bit.”
Although I knew he’d said it to tease me, I instantly remembered how I’d helped to get him into this mess—or at least I hadn’t helped improve the situation.
I kind of owed the guy. And I did like him. And his kid.
Fuck me.
“Besides, it’s not like either one of us has time to find someone, if we even wanted to. Workaholics that we are. This makes it easy.”
Easy, sure. When a swarm of locusts was about to take flight from my belly. Sure didn’t seem easy inside me when everything was a riot of questions and needs.
A lot of the last one.
“You sure you want to hook my wagon to mine? Seeing me again might make Jessica go for blood even more.”
“I’ll take my chances,” he repeated.
“What about Dani?” I hated to even ask the question. “I don’t want to lie to her. She’s a good kid.”
“Who’s lying? We’re really going to date. I’m really going to take you out, hopefully many more times than tonight. I’m really going to lay you out and enact several of the filthy scenarios I’ve played in my head a time or two hundred. Assuming you’re on board with that. That can be negotiated. Everything can.”
Shut up, nipples. No one asked you.
There were any number of reasonable things I could have responded to that with. Instead, I asked, “You’ve fantasized about me?”
He nodded.
“Can you elaborate?”
“Before dinner on a first date? Not a chance. That’s definitely dessert conversation. Or…demonstration.”
The best part? He didn’t wink when he said it. It probably showed my deep pathology, but I absolutely hated guys who winked when they flirted. It reminded me of Bob Barker from The Price is Right or my grandfather when he gave me a hard candy when I was a girl. Neither one stirred my loins in any shape or form.
With Gideon? I was stirred so hard I was basically a coffee milkshake.
“No hints?”
He released my hand and I wasn’t sure if I was relieved or disappointed. “Definitely not. But I’m ready to go if you are.”
“Wait.” I stopped him with a hand on his arm. “You’re sure you want to do this? This evening didn’t have the best start. We don’t have to make it into some big…thing.”
“What if I want to?”
“Well, you’re dead set on this dating idea—”
“Macy, I didn’t get dressed up for you thinking Jessica would ambush me. I didn’t plan any of this. All I did was ask out a woman I like. And call me selfish, but I’m determined to get my fucking date tonight. Okay?”
I had to smile. “Okay. But seriously, dude, you call that dressing up?” I shook my head at his shirt. “Bret Michaels does have a superior set of lips on him though. If you could ignore all the places they’ve probably been.”
“Can’t say I’ve ever thought about it.”
I slipped my arm into his. “Just so you know, I’m touchy with seafood.”
“Noted.”
“Some of it is okay, some is slimy and gross.”
“Gotcha. I pretty much guarantee you’ll like dinner. At least the location if not the quality of the food.” He glanced down at me. “Trust me?”
“Not even a little.” But I squeezed his arm. “That’s the kind of date I like best.”
It was probably too much to hope for chainsaws and gore, but I’d settle for not knowing what the next step would hold.
In my business, I had to plan everything to the nth degree. Here? I could just be.
Assuming I could manage to forget Gideon and I were now dating.
Shit.
Ten
“So, I figured I couldn’t hope for chainsaws,” Macy said as we walked under the arbor of lit jack-o-lanterns and spooky creatures hanging above us.
“First night of the season. They do a dry run before things officially kick off in a week or two. I did some work here for the owners so they let me know for Dani. This is actually only the third year Happy Acres has done the hayrides. Every year gets bigger.”
“You usually go with Dani?”
I shook my head. “Not you too. I figured at least you wouldn’t give me guilt.”
“Did she get on you for taking a girl instead of her? Because she so should have.” Macy pointed to a line of booths set up near the hayride loading spot. “You better buy her a caramel apple at least.”
I knew Dani wanted a caramel one, but I was curious about Macy’s choice. “What about a candy one?”
“Ugh, no. And skip the nuts.”
“I’ll take your word for it. But Dani claims she likes both.” Didn’t she? Now Macy was making me wonder.
“She’s lying to you.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence.” I jerked my chin at the hot dog stand. “Want?”
“Definitely didn’t expect this kind of fare tonight, but I’m up for it.” Before I could take out my wallet, she marched up to the counter—a feat over the scattered hay since her sexy black shoes had a thin stiletto heel—and asked for their footlong dog with extra relish, a side of spicy curly fries, and a soda.
“A woman after my own heart,” the guy behind the register said with a slow grin. I recognized him as one of the family members who worked at the farm.
“Hey, Beckett. Nice to see you.”
“Oh, hey, John. Didn’t see you at first.” He tipped his cap at me. “Where’s Danielle? She getting too old for this stuff?”
I let out a laugh. “Hardly. We’ll be here for the real opening day.” I rested a hand on Macy’s lower back. She sent me a look, but I pretended not to see it as I ordered—and paid.
“I thought we would pay our own way.”
I brushed a kiss over her temple in a possessive move I wasn’t used to from myself. The bonus was inhaling more of cinnamon and honey scent. An odd, alluring combination. “You thought wrong. I’m old-fashioned.”
“Too old-fashioned to screw on the first date?” She lowered her voice to ask the question but not quite enough for Beckett not to grin as he loaded up her dog with relish.
“Have you ever gotten hay in unspeakable places?”
“No. Is this the night I get to check that off my bucket list?”
I laughed and lifted my hand to the back of her neck. I don’t know why I cupped her there, just something about her warmth under my hand with tendrils of her hair teasing my fingers felt like foreplay. She obviously agreed, because she slid me another look, this one under her lashes.
“I have a feeling you’re a big ol’ tease,” she said once we were straddling a picnic bench next to the candy apples and fritters booth. I’d have to make sure I didn’t forget Dani’s treat before I left.
Yeah, I did feel guilty. But it was hard to regret much when Macy was digging into her fries with a gusto I had to appreciate.
“I was afraid you’d ask for a salad.”
She snorted. “The only salad you’ll see touch these lips is Vee’s chicken salad that is loaded with mayo. I barely recognize lettuce, forget eat it.”
“Thank fuck.”
“I never would’ve guessed you were the haunted hayride type. Too serious and stoic to put up with faux Freddies leaping out of the woods.” She offered me a curly fry and I intentionally nipped her fingers as I took it.
“Oh, this isn’t your usual corny hayride.”
“No?”
“I mean, there’s some of that. But it has it’s share of genuine spooks. And once you make it through the main course, they take you along the perimeter of the corn fields where there’s the most stupendous view you could imagine.”
“Oh, I heard about that view. Ivy told me she and Rory rolled in the corn.”
I nearly choked on my own very ordinary mustard-laden hot dog. At least I’d skipped the onions. “Excuse me?”
“Well,
not literally, just in that general area. You know how people are in this town. Hornier than drunk bunnies. Plus, she was already knocked up, so there’s that.”
I took another bite and chewed as I tried to imagine the level of detail Ivy had shared with Macy—because I knew it was far more than Macy was letting on—and if I’d ever done similarly with my guy friends.
Nope, definitely not.
“Why are you shaking your head?”
“Do women share everything about sex?”
“Only if it’s not embarrassing.”
“Hmm.”
“If the guy sucks, it depends how much. Like if it’s just garden variety crappy, then that’s a gloss over and forget it story. If he’s really bad—like two-minute fireworks that sputter out all over your leg—then that’s probably also not a share. Unless the chick is a catty bitch. Why?”
I blew out a breath. “I’m sorry I asked.”
Macy flashed a grin. “Scared?”
“No. I have no reason to be. But I do have a daughter. And the closer she gets to her teenage years, the more afraid I become. I’ll probably start looking for a therapist soon.” I grabbed another of her fries. “Then again, that might happen after this date.”
She tossed a wadded-up napkin at me. “I was being straight with you. Isn’t that what men claim to want? No games, remember?”
“I definitely want no games. And I want you straight. And bent over. And sideways. And every other way in between.”
She lifted a brow. “Definitely a tease.”
“It’s not a tease if I deliver.”
“We’ll see. Hey, is that cotton candy?”
I grinned as I looked over my shoulder at the telltale plastic bags hanging from the eaves of the candy apple booth. “Should I be insulted you’re more interested in that than discussing my sexual appetite?”
“No, because you have no clue the kind of dirty things I can do with cotton candy and proper motivation.” She rose and dusted off her hands. “I’m going to get that blue one on the end before some bratty kid steals it. Want any?”
I was still stuck on inappropriate images of Macy with her mouth full of blue cotton candy—and other things. Christ.