Page 98 of Seasoned
“Okay.”
They increased their speed, and after a few minutes of tension, Jackie relaxed again. She was doing this. She wasreallydoing this!
“I can’t believe I’m riding this bike!” She let out a loud laugh and her gaze connected with Tyson. His grin saidI told you so, and she couldn’t fault him.
“You’re a good coach,” she said.
“Could you say that a little louder? I might need to record that so I can hear you repeat it over and over again later.”
“You’re a good coach. Satisfied?”
“Very.”
When they approached the area where she had knocked into Kendrick, her stomach tightened a bit and her fingers clenched around the handle bars.
“Remember what I told you. Relax, guard your brakes, and go as slow as you need to. I’m right behind you.”
Jackie nodded her understanding, and they started down the incline. Her fingers closed on the lever, slowing the bike down. It wasn’t the smoothest slowdown, but at least she didn’t scream and careen into anyone like she did the first time. When they ended up on level ground again, she let out a squeal of victory.
“I did it!”
Tyson pulled up beside her, his grin as broad as her own. “Yeah, you did. I knew you could.”
Tyson pulledinto the driveway of Jackie’s house and parked in front of the three-car garage. The exterior of the two-story Spanish-style home was a sunny golden color, bright like the woman who lived within its walls. One day he hoped to see the inside, but he knew better than to suggest any such thing right now.
The day had gone better than expected. After riding for a bit, they went for lunch and then walked off the food on the beach. Jackie was a great conversationalist, and once she relaxed, he learned a lot about her. She’d opened up more than she had the other night at his house.
She’d never been married, but had one failed engagement under her belt. Though he’d known she opened her first Bodacious store in her thirties, he had no idea her parents had tried to talk her out of the venture. But she’d seen a need in the market, believed in herself, and opened the store anyway. Very impressive.
They walked slowly around the side of the house to her front door.
“How did I do today?” Tyson asked.
“Not bad,” she replied.
Not exactly enthusiastic.
They stopped outside her red door and Jackie twirled on the heel of one foot to face him. “Thank you for a lovely day. I enjoyed myself.”
“Was that so hard?”
“I can’t let you get a big head,” she said.
“Me, a big head? Noooo.” He wrinkled his nose, and she cracked up.
Having her laugh at his jokes all day, no matter how minor, had given his ego a major boost. There was no doubt in his mind that they would make a great couple, and no doubt the attraction he felt for her was reciprocated. But he was no fool. Jackie might be bold and daring in business, but she was definitely cautious, downright hesitant with him. He’d have to move slowly, though all day he’d been imagining her naked—or semi-naked in one of the sheer lace teddies he’d drooled over on her website—and contemplated all the things he would do to her once he got the chance.
Tyson eased closer. “I know it’s only our second date, but I was hoping I could squeeze in a kiss this time. I’ve been wanting to kiss you all day. That’s a lie. I’ve been wanting to kiss you since I saw you at Bodacious that first night.”
“I was with your son then.”
“And I never wanted to fight that kid more in my life.”
She smiled, her eye softening. “Still selling me something, Tyson?”
“Myself, if you’ll have me.”
She tilted her head to the side, eyes assessing him for the moment. “No, I don’t mind if you kiss me,” she whispered.
