Page 16 of Before You Can Blink
Daisy cocked an eyebrow. “Plan on keeping me around long?”
I reached out to take her hand before brushing her knuckles with my lips. “I like spending time with you, Daze. I’m sure that’s no secret.”
Even in the glow of the moonlight, I caught her slight blush. Lashes dropping to fan her cheeks, she whispered, “I like spending time with you too.”
“Mighty glad to hear it, darlin’. So what do you say we keep spending time together until one or both of us gets sick of the other?”
Lips folding inward, she nodded. “I’m okay with that.”
“Good.” I tugged her toward my waiting truck. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’ve got a date for a nightcap with this beautiful girl I met, and I don’t want to be late.”
Her giggles were music to my ears, and I made myself a promise to enjoy every minute with this girl before our time together was through.
March
Friday nights were my favorite. With no school the following day, Daisy was free to spend all evening with me before I walked her to her door. And with rodeo season set to begin, I wanted to soak up as much of her light as I could to carry with me on the road until I made it back in the fall. If things went according to plan this year, it could be even longer.
Tonight, the Watering Hole had live music, and Daisy’s laughter rang out loud and clear as she stumbled through a two-step. I’d given her a fewlessons, but she just hadn’t caught the hang of it yet. At least if she was laughing, she was having fun.
The up-tempo song came to an end, and everyone on the dance floor stopped to applaud. The vocals were on point tonight. Sammy McKinley had one hell of a smooth voice, but I knew better than to suggest he take his talents to Nashville. He was happy to let his music be a hobby rather than a career, content in his role as deputy until his dad was ready to retire as sheriff, with the hope of taking his place.
Sammy strummed his guitar strings, switching to a slower melody. He caught my eye in the crowd and winked. Everyone knew I was sweet on Daisy, and I could have kissed the man for giving me the opportunity to hold her close—even if only for a few minutes at a time.
We had taken things slow. Every night, I met her for a drink, and we talked for hours before I walked her to her door, located on the exterior of the same bar she lived above. But damn if I wasn’t itching to explore the intense physical attraction I felt toward her.
I was acutely aware that if I slept with Daisy, she’d want more, and I wasn’t the type of guy who would be able to give her marriage, babies, or the white picket fence.
What we shared was an easy companionship. Hell, outside of Wade, I’d go so far as to say she’d become my best friend. There was a comfort in knowing that I could tell her literally anything and trusting that she would never judge me for it.
Her soft curves fit perfectly against my hard chest. This felt so fucking right it scared the living daylights out of me.
There was no denying I was getting attached to the incredible woman in my arms.
Unlocking her door, Daisy pushed it open before turning her attention back on me, a soft smile gracing her lips. “I had fun tonight.” She said the same thing every night.
“Me too, Daze.” My reply was always the same, as well.
I took a step closer, my palm coming to rest on the side of her neck as she stared up at me, her blue eyes sparking in anticipation of what we both knew came next. Slowly, my head dipped, and my lips brushed against hers, softly at first, but as always, it only stayed that way for a second before she parted on a breathy moan, and I dove deeper.
Daisy clung to my shoulders as my tongue swept inside her mouth. Her taste was as sweet as her personality, and I had quickly grown addicted to both. My dick swelled behind my fly, and I hauled her flush, letting her feel how much I wanted her. It was absolute torture knowing that, in another life, I might’ve been worthy enough to claim this incredible woman as my own.
Panting, we broke apart, our foreheads resting together as we caught our breath.
I wasn’t sure how long we could keep doing this. I couldn’t keep her. It was selfish to let her believe that there might be even the slightest chance of a future together. Hanging around with me was only holding her back. She deserved to be set free, to have the chance to live her life fully with a man who could give her the world.
Swallowing roughly, I eased back enough that our bodies were no longer touching. Dipping my chin, I recited our customary goodbye. “Goodnight, Daisy.”
Her chest rose on a deep inhale. “Night, Jett.”
Usually, this was the point where she’d slip inside while I waited to hear the deadbolt sliding into place. So when she simply stood there, chewing her kiss-swollen lower lip, I cocked my head. “Somethin’ wrong?”
Daisy’s eyes dropped to the ground. “Um, I was wondering if maybe you wanted to—“ Her words cut off abruptly, and she shook her head. “You know what, never mind.”
She was halfway to shutting the door in my face when I reached a hand out to stop it. Her squeak of surprise was accompanied by wide eyes as I pushed the door back open.
“Wh-what are you doing?”
“I could ask you the same thing.” I gestured an arm toward the rear exit of the Watering Hole. “We’ve spent every night for months spilling our deepest and darkest secrets to one another, and now you’re clamming up? I don’t understand. Is it something I’ve done?”
