Page 91 of All I Need

I WASN’T SURE WHAT TO expect for our first date but an outdoor movie in the town square was definitely not it. I’m not complaining by any means, though. My entire relationship with Gary was fluff. Our dates wouldn’t have ever included sitting on a blanket in the grass surrounded by families as a decade old movie plays on the screen in front of us. And they definitely wouldn’t have included eating a six pack of drive-thru tacos and fountain sodas.

It’s the most perfect date I’ve ever been on. The rain from this morning let up early enough that the ground is no longer wet. There’s still a heaviness in the air, the threat of more storms to come looms over us, but right now it’s just right. The thunder and lightning let up and it’s the ideal summer evening temperature.

Walker’s legs are stretched out in front of us, mine tucked beside me so I don’t have a wardrobe malfunction that makes this evening far from family-friendly. His left hand is resting on the blanket behind me, his thumb grazing my butt which sends a shiver of excitement through my body. I’m hyper-aware of his movements. Of the way he brushes against me every chance he gets. The entire night has been foreplay, a preview of what’s to come.

The movie plays out before us but I’m not paying attention to any of it. The only thing I know is that it’s set in a museum but other than that, I’m not following. He shifts, bringing me to sit in front of him. His strong arms wrap around me, the sleeves of his black polo shirt tight around his biceps. My fingernails trace the intricate tattoo on his right arm and the firm muscles in his forearms contract when he moves, holding me tighter and I suddenly understand exactly what the term arm porn means. I feel safe in his embrace, despite the alarm blaring in my head, reminding me of truths I need to share with Walker before we’re in too deep.

Though, I fear that we’re already in deep.

Maybe I’m jumping ahead but I’ve learned a lot about myself—and others—from my failed relationships. Looking back, there were signs that I was ignoring. Like sacrificing my own happiness to be who I thought they wanted me to be. Growing up in a home without love ingrained in me a desire to fit in. But with Walker, it’s different. And tonight is proof of that. I spent years not being comfortable in my own skin. What I wouldn’t have given to have a night wrapped in a man’s arms while we sit under the stars feasting on take out or cuddled in front of the fire watching a movie at home.

It probably sounds boring, but that’s what my soul desires. And Walker nailed it without even trying.

“You’re thinking awful hard,” Walker whispers into my ear. “Should I be worried?”

Worried? Only if he’s worried that I’ll fall in love with him.

I tilt my head so I can look him in his dark eyes. The scruff on his jaw has grown out a little over the past few days. It’s soft beneath my fingertips and I wonder what it would feel like scraping against other parts of my body.

“I like where your thoughts are heading,” he says, voice gruff. When he notices the look of horror on my face he chuckles, bringing his face closer when he says, “I can read you so well, babe.”

I can’t tear my eyes away from him, our gazes saying everything our bodies are screaming.

Desire.

Lust.

Need.

Suddenly my ass is buzzing and I startle.

It only takes a second for us to realize it’s Walker’s phone in his pocket.

“I’m sorry. I wouldn’t care but Grayson’s…”

“Stop. I hate that you feel the need to apologize for that.”

He kisses me firmly on the lips then pulls his phone out. A smile stretches across his face as he reads whatever is on the screen and he shoves it back in.

“Let’s get outta here.”

“What? But the movie…”

“I don’t give a fuck about the movie, do you?”

I’m shaking my head back and forth so quickly I’m afraid I might sprain something in my neck. “Nuh uh.”

“Good.”

Working together we pile all our stuff into our arms, stopping along the way to throw out our trash and rush to his pickup. He’s gripping my hand tightly, tugging me along but my legs are shorter than his and I can barely keep up.

A giggle bursts out of me from his hurry.

“What’s so funny?” he asks, not even a bit breathless from our unexpected jog. Meanwhile, I’m afraid I’ll either fart from eating tacos then running (which would be mortifying, to say the least) or have to stop to stretch. I never thought I was out of shape but clearly Walker is in damn good shape. He probably has amazing stamina.

That single thought makes me pick up my pace and soon I’m passing him up, tugging him behind me as a burst of energy pumps my legs faster.

“I don’t know what just got into you but I like it,” he laughs.

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