Page 7 of Boy Next Door at Mountain Creek Ranch
Before I can answer, there’s a loudtap,tap,tapon the driver’s side window, making us both startle in surprise. A flashlight shines brightly into the window, and I shift off Beau and back into my passenger seat, trying to readjust my dress.
“All good?” Beau asks, before lowering down his window.
The light from the flashlight reflects off of Beau's window, and I can see that the man interrupting us is Hank Deville. He’s one of Beau’s best friends.
“Oh, Beau, I thought I was going to find some high school kids up here. I guess I should have recognized the truck.”
“No high school kids here.”
“I’m surprised to see you after last time you were here—"
“Hank,” Beau cuts him off.
Hank points his flashlight into my face making me flinch away. “Is that—?”
“Goodnight, Hank,”
He walks back to his cruiser, chuckling to himself. “You have a good night too.”
“Last time you were here?” I ask.
He pulls a face like he’s guilty of something. “You caught that?”
I nod, tilting my head curiously at him.
"Last time I was up here, I stayed on my side of the truck, and she stayed on hers."
I lift my eyebrow skeptically. “Really? You going to stick with that story?"
He considers it a moment. “Yes.”
I can’t help but chuckle. While I don’t like the idea of him being up here with someone else, that someone was a long time ago. It would be crazy for me to get jealous of someone from his past, especially since I hoped that I could be his future.
“You should probably take me home,” I say.
“Are you upset?” he asks, his brow furrowing in concern.
“No, but I left the ranch without saying anything to my family. I know that isn’t going to go over well. Might as well rip off the band-aid and head back. They will be worried.”
“I can take you back.” He reaches for my hand. “But I’d like to take you out on a real date.”
I can’t help the smile that appears on my face. “I’d like that.”
I'd like more, but a date is a good start.
5
BEAU
My palms are sweating as I approach Sugar Gravel to pick up Willow for our date. She lives in the apartment above the shop. I walk around the building to the back and up the iron steps to her door. Even though I already kissed her two nights ago in my truck at Peterson Pointe, this date tonight is twenty years coming. I've wanted to be with Willow so long. What if I've built her up so much in my head that this date is a disaster? I shake my head, trying to wipe away the nerves. The door suddenly swings open, making me jump back.
"I thought I'd heard someone come up the steps," Willow smiles. "But, there was no knock."
My gaze trails up and down, taking in every inch of the woman of my dreams. She’s wearing another sundress, white with bluebells printed all over them. It fits snugly against every curve of her soft body, the sight making me hard at once.
“You look gorgeous,” I blurt out, and she beams.
“You look amazing yourself.” She steps back, giving me room to come inside. “I’m almost ready. I just need one more minute.”
