Page 98 of The Other Guy

“You do.”

“Fair enough. I like having her around and don’t want that to change.”

“Noted.”

“I’m ready!” Sierra announces. We turn to look at her and my breath catches. What I said earlier was true. She’s beautiful in anything, but standing before me in dark skintight jeans, a light purple tank top, and a thin black cardigan, she’s simply breathtaking.

Simple.

Breathtaking.

Both at the same time and it’s her. She’s not overdone or fancy. Casual minus the face mask.

“You look incredible,” I tell her, standing from the couch and moving toward her.

She blushes, a pretty pink tinge on her cheeks appearing as she watches me take her in. Her hips flaring out just slightly, her thin tank doing nothing to hide the swell of her breasts. I couldn’t stop myself from kissing her if I wanted to, despite the audience.

“Hi,” she says like she did earlier.

“Hey, yourself.”

“Is this okay?” She gestures to herself and I nod.

“More than.”

“Alright, you two. Get outta here. Remember. Have fun! Stay out late. Make dumb choices. Drive fast and take chances.”

“You got it.” Sierra walks over to her uncle and kisses his cheek. “Love you.”

“Love you, too, girl. Now go on. Have a good time.”

“We will.”

I place a hand on her lower back as I lead her to my Jeep, open the passenger door, and help her in before climbing behind the wheel. The second I shift into drive, she asks, “Okay, where are we going?”

I glance at her, already feeling like I know the answer to the question I’m about to ask. “Ever ridden a bull before?”

“Uhh, can’t say that I have.”

“First time for everything.”

Her voice is full of nerves and her eyes tell me she’s not sure what she just got herself into. “We’re… riding a bull?”

“Patience, Sierra. Patience.”

She harrumphs and sits back in her seat, crossing her arms over her chest. “Fine. But please tell me you’re going to feed me.”

“Of course. I have a reservation at a steakhouse. That good?”

“I suppose,” she teases then nudges me with her elbow. “Of course that’s okay. A big ol’ steak sounds great. But I’ll warn you, if you order your steak to be done anything over medium, we’re breaking up.”

“I’m offended that you’d think I’d order anything more than medium-rare. And breaking up? Did I miss something?” It’s my turn to tease her. As far as I’m concerned, we’re together.

“Oh! I didn’t mean…”

“Relax, I was just kidding.” I reach over, resting our linked hands on the console. “I know it’s soon, I know we still have a lot to learn about each other, but I like you and hope you like me the same. It feels like this could be something… I’m okay with taking it as slow or fast as you’re ready for. So let’s just take it one day at a time. You good with that?”

She sighs and bends down, kissing the back of my hand. When she rights herself, she looks over. “Absolutely.”

“Good. Now, steak first and riding the bull later.”

“Can’t say that I’m not nervous but it’ll be an experience.”

“That’s for sure.”

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