Page 23 of Save the Last Dance
“I’m not sure. But we could talk about it. Maybe have dinner and hash it out.”
“Dinner?”
The dimple in his left cheek made an appearance, his hands sliding down the swing chains until he gripped the seat on either side of her. Behind them, a couple of teens raced past, chasing each other and laughing.
“Not now. Tomorrow, maybe, if you’re free.”
“You’re asking me to share a meal with you.” She went over the details, making sure she understood.
“Yes. We did a damned good job at breaking each other’s hearts once. We both know there can’t be anything long-term between us. But we’re both here now, and the attraction is so strong I can’t get you off my mind.”
She gasped. “You don’t mean?—?”
“I mean we’re adults now. If we want to spend time together, we don’t have to sneak off into the orchard anymore. We can enjoy each other withoutgetting all wound up about some big commitment neither of us wants.” He made it sound so simple when it was anything but.
Her eyes slid over him, his square shoulders and thick, masculine chest. His long arms flexing with lean muscle as he held her swing still. Denim-clad legs that stretched between them, his feet anchoring them in the sand to keep them both from spinning.
Any woman would be thrilled to go on a date with this man. He was handsome. Considerate. And he kissed like a sexy fantasy come to life. Too bad she wasn’t the kind of woman who could just enjoy that aspect of a relationship and not want more. She knew what they could have together. Toe-curling kisses were never going to be enough.
“Mack, I’m not going to lie. I’m so spun up from that kiss I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep tonight.” Her heart raced harder than after her most challenging workout. It would take her hours just to cool down after this. “But I just barely held myself together the last time my heart was broken. Between you and me, I’m not strong enough to do that again.”
She waited a moment, but when he didn’t say anything, she twisted sideways to stand.
“Caring about people is always a risk, Nina. No one can guarantee there won’t be fallout if you take a chance.” He got to his feet slowly, jamming his hands in his pockets.
“I know.” She also understood that it had cost him to ask her out after the way they’d split. If only there wasn’t so much painful baggage they couldn’t ignore. “But it’s one thing to take that risk with someone new. With you, the potential for hurt is about ten times higher.”
He nodded, his jaw flexing. “Keeping that math in mind, did it ever occur to you what the potential payoffmight be if things actually worked out, even just in the short-term?”
She let that one roll over her, that tiny slice of incredible possibility calling to her as fiercely as his kiss.
“You don’t have to answer yet. Just think on it. For now, let me walk you to the truck.” He put a hand on her waist, the briefest of touches, to lead her in the right direction. “I saw that you’re parked over here.”
Her legs felt wooden as they made their way across the playground and to the street. She hadn’t locked the truck, so he held the door for her while she stepped inside.
“Where’s your Gram?” He pivoted back toward the town square. “Didn’t she ride with you?”
Nina nodded. “Ethan Brady’s grandfather is driving her.”
“Harlan is a good guy.” Mack kept his arm on her door, his body still close enough to touch.
She hadn’t even gotten her keys out of her purse yet. God, she was a mess. All because of Mack Finley and his crazy, unexpected, makes-no-sense suggestion they go out on a date. He knew that was a terrible idea, damn it. Why had he put it out there?
“Nina?” He put a hand on her forearm, a simple touch that reminded her of all the things she’d just said “no” to. “You okay to drive?”
A long sigh hissed from her lips. She had tried to do what was right. To make the smart decision. But Mack was thwarting her at every turn with touches and crazy suggestions that a relationship between them was still a possibility. But they wanted very different things in life and her heart ached just remembering how much he’d hurt her last time. And yet still the attraction between them frazzled her to distraction. Frustrated and unable to hold back another second, she twisted in her seat, looped herarms around his neck and planted the kind of kiss on his gorgeous lips he wouldn’t forget any time soon.
When she eased back, it was Mack who wore the swaying-on-his-feet expression, his eyes unfocused for a long moment.
“I’m feeling better already.” She nodded, her blood running hot in her veins, but she felt more in control now. More like her old, take-charge self. “I’ll think about what you said.”
“About dinner?”
“About taking risks.” Maybe that kiss was all she needed. Just to get the urge out of her system.
Or just to know she wasn’t the only one affected by the chemistry in the air.
“That’s…good.” He smiled and made a point of rubbing a finger over his lower lip where she’d just kissed him. “I think I like your risky side.”
