Page 22 of A Love So Sweet
She buried her face in his side and said, “Still.”
He tipped her face up and kissed her tenderly. Then he brushed his lips over her cheek and whispered, “Still,” and pressed another warm kiss to her lips. A minute later he said, “Everyone expected me to help my father run the ranch, and as much as I wanted to help him, it would mean reliving those memories, and that was too much for me.”
“I’m sure your family understands,” she said.
“I’ve never told them. It’s not something I’m proud of.”
There it was again, another crushing blow to her heart. How many men would admit to things they find as faults within themselves, much less something so intimate? Everything he said proved what she’d already known. Treat Braden was one of a kind.
“I’ve never told anyone that before.”
“Thank you for sharing it with me.”
“I want to share things with you, Max,” he said as they came to Main Street.
Sparkling lights shone through large storefront windows, and the sound of music filtered out of restaurant doors. Max soaked in the romantic feel of the evening, wanting to share her secrets with him, too, to tell him therestof the story about Ryan. But even the thought of bringing such ugliness into their relationship made her feel sick. She wasn’t ready for that. Would she ever be? At least she could share the secrets that she was sure wouldn’t send her spiraling into darkness.
“I wish I had a brother to listen when I was younger. I would have done anything to have someone to confide in,” she admitted. “I still wish I did.”
He gathered her in his arms and gazed into her eyes. “Hopefully one day you’ll feel like you can confide in me.”
Oh, how she wanted to. Max’s stomach growled, and they both smiled.
“Want to grab a bite?” he asked. “I haven’t eaten all day, and you’re obviously hungry.”
“Yes, I’d like that. I’m sure existing solely on chocolate cake isn’t the best idea.”
A few minutes later they were sitting in the back of a quiet Italian restaurant. Max scanned the menu, knowing that although she was hungry, she wouldn’t be able to eat a whole meal while butterflies were tap-dancing in her stomach.
“It’s late. Would you like to share a dish instead of getting two whole meals?”
She looked up at him incredulously. The one time she’d suggested sharing a meal with Ryan, he’d looked at her like she was crazy. She’d never asked another man to share. Chalk that up to just one more thing to like about Treat.
“I’m sorry. Are you not a sharer? I forget that some people don’t like to eat off other people’s plates.”
“No. I love to share. Why don’t you choose, though. I’m no good at making food decisions.”
“Most women don’t like men to order for them, either. Seems like we’re a good match.”
His smile held so much contentedness that Max almost reached for his hand. But after what happened last night, she wasn’t taking any chances.First I’ll reach for your hand, then your shirt, your pants…
She felt her cheeks flush and tried to stifle the smile tugging at her lips as Treat reached over and placed his hand over hers, taking the worry off her plate.
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Chapter Eleven
AFTER SHARING A bottle of wine and a delicious shrimp and pasta dinner, Max and Treat walked back to the festival grounds. The parking lot was empty except for their cars, amplifying the end of their evening. The last thing Treat wanted to do was leave Max for another day. These stolen hours were nowhere near enough. He wanted to spend days and nights getting to know everything about her. When he drew her into his arms and gazed into her eyes, enjoying the way her breathing went shallow, he knew she was right there with him.
“What are you thinking right now?” he asked.
She’d been careful with what she said and how she said it over dinner, probably because she was afraid of stepping over the line they had last night. But he couldn’t ignore the flicker of heat in her eyes, or the way she pressed her body against his on the walk home. He was learning more about Max from the things she didn’t say than the things she did.
“That I’m not ready for the night to end,” she said softly.
He’d bided his time as long as he was able, but he couldn’t wait another second, and he lowered his lips to hers, drinking in her unique essence coalescing with the wine they’d shared. When she melted against him, he threaded his fingers into her hair, angling her face so he could take the kiss deeper. She moaned into their kiss, and his body flamed. His hands ached to touch her, but he reluctantly held back, taking her in a series of tender kisses instead.
She was hardly breathing as he brushed his lips over hers and said, “Then let’s not end it just yet.”
