Page 55 of Nashville Cowboy
“Maybe they’re outside.” Eve went to open the door, but Jackson beat her to it, holding it open.
The parking lot was empty save for two vehicles, and one of them was Hank’s four-wheel drive. Mima’s truck, which Eve drove here, was now gone.
“Looks like they left us.” Jackson snorted. “Subtle.”
“The Carvers have never been known for their finesse.”
“You damn right.” Jackson scanned the parking lot, then, hand on the small of her back, he led her toward the truck. “Get in the truck, woman. Looks like I have to take you home.”
She accepted his hand to hoist herself into the passenger seat. “Clearly, you’re a Carver through and through.”
Inside the truck, the close quarters were strangely intimate.
She breathed in the wonderful woodsy scent of him and told herself she was only intrigued by Jackson because she hadn’t been with a man for so long. To keep her excitement from bubbling over straight into anxiety, Eve employed an old trick. She comforted herself with the smallest of details. She strapped herself into her seat belt and heard it click into place. Adjusted the seat, which had last seated a much taller person. Routine was comfort. Safety.
But Jackson was of no comfort at all as he sat beside her, causing her heart to race wildly. She was alone with him, this time with no one around to interrupt. No one to question what the hell did they think they were doing, jumping right back into a relationship like they had good sense.
Eve didn’t even know if she could rememberhowto be intimate with someone. They’d just spent the night together, simply sleeping next to each other, which had been so warm and comforting. And thrilling. But she still felt unnaturally shy around the man she’d first given herself to at age sixteen.
Because she just wasn’t that young girl any longer, not even the twenty-year-old that thought she was ready to be married. It took a lot more than good sex and combustible chemistry to keep two people together long-term. Mutual respect, common life goals, and a deep trust in each other.
Jackson plugged his phone in through the stereo system and began swiping through it.
“Sometime tonight?” she said.
Head bent, he fooled with his phone. “Can’t wait to be rid of me?”
“No, not at all. I just…I get up early and I’m already tired.” She yawned to emphasize her point.
But nothing about Jackson would ever make her yawn. He’d always meant excitement, thrills, and red-hot lust. She couldn’t think of a single reason to avoid spending time alone with him, other than fear of whatshemight do.
Dear Lord, there could be no more doubt. She was avoidingintimacy. This should not surprise her, because she hadn’t been close to anyone since Bobby. And before that, it had just been Jackson. Always Jackson.
He finally, thank you, God, stop fiddling with his phone. Brett Young sang “In Case You Didn’t Know”through the speakers, and Eve’s shoulders unkinked.
“This is very convenient for me,” Jackson said, as he pulled out of the lot. “They played right into my hands.”
She smirked. “Just don’t forget there are two of us involved in this plan of yours.”
“Of course, and by the time I’m done, it will also be your plan.”
“My, you’re confident.”
“I prefer to call it positive thinking.”
“Where are we going?” she asked, as they passed the road that would lead them to the ranch.
“See if you can guess.” He flashed her an easy smile, wide enough to display both dimples.
“Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me,” she said a few minutes later when he made another turn.
She’d bet her Texas veterinary license that Jackson was taking her to Holiday Lake. Also known as the most popular make-out spot in Stone Ridge.
“Before you panic, remember that this is also the best stargazing spot in town.”
“You want to stargaze with me?”
He reached for her hand. “Yeah. And anything else you want.”
