Page 47 of Ruined
Instead, I settled for taking her hand and giving it a squeeze. “I’ve brought her here a time or two and you’re right she absolutely loves it.” After studying her face for a second, I went on, “Tonight is about you and me, though.” It was important that she knew my intentions.
“You and me,” she said the words slowly almost like she was testing them out. “I like that.” This time her voice was whisper-soft, if I hadn’t been staring at her mouth, I would have missed them.
We needed to get out of the truck, if we didn’t, I’d break my vow to myself and devour her right here. Heaven knew I was already hanging on by a thread. Clearing my throat, I asked, “Shall we go explore.”
“Yes.”
I stepped onto the parking lot, walked to the front of the truck where I waited for Zoe to join me. Once she did, I reached for her hand, lacing our fingers together. Her gaze lowered, I thought for sure she was going to pull away.
She didn’t.
Instead, she raised her eyes to mine and smiled that sweet smile again.Yeah, I’m a goner. With a tug, she started moving toward the gate. We spent the next few minutes leisurely walking from stall to stall, stopping at each to peruse their goods.
I’d learned that Zoe loved vanilla and cinnamon candles. Something as simple as watching her bring the scented wax to her nose and inhaling deeply had me mesmerized. The moment she’d caught me staring the slightest blush had stolen her cheeks, and damn, if that didn’t have my mind running in a million different directions.
“Are you hungry yet?”
After tucking the candles into her bag, she looked up at me and nodded. “I’m ravenous.” I hadn’t seen her this happy since she’d arrived in Willow Creek. Was it conceited to hope that I might’ve had something to do with it?
“C’mon.” gripping her hand again, I led her to the area where the food trucks were set up. It was only when the mouth-watering smells hit my nose that I realized how famished I was. Releasing Zoe’s hand, I tugged her closer, draping my arm over her shoulder. “What are you in the mood for?”
“I don’t know. Everything looks and smells delicious.” Tilting her head back, she eyed me. “What do you suggest?”
Smiling down at her, I said, “I know just the thing.”
As I suspected the line at my favorite spot stretched far. Zoe didn’t seem to mind the wait though. Neither did I to be honest. How could I when she was snuggled up against me with her arm wrapped around my waist?
When we finally received our food, we settled in at one of the picnic tables that was the farthest away from the crowd. I was busy spreading out the feast at the same time as the second band of the night stepped onto the stage.
“This is a lot of food.” Zoe’s eyes went wide as she scanned over the pizza, milkshakes, and chocolate bowls. “Good thing I love to eat.” To prove her point she pulled a slice of pizza off the plate and took a generous bite. “Mmm,” she moaned. “So good.”
If it wouldn’t have looked a bit strange, I’d have happily sat there and watched her eat, there was something so damn sexy about a woman who didn’t hide her love for food. Snagging myself a slice, I said, “You surprise me in the best way.”
“Me?” Realizing she’d spoken with a mouth full of food, she brought her hands up to cover her lips until she swallowed. Her cheeks turned rosy too. “How come?” she finally asked.
“Most people turn up their noses at the mere thought of pineapple on their pizzas.”
With a cheeky grin, she grabbed another slice from the plate. “Good thing I’m not most people.”
“It’s a bloody great thing.”
The sound of music filled the air. I had to confess that the two brothers on stage were doing a magnificent job. So much so that I slid out of my seat and held my hand out to Zoe, “Dance with me.”
“What? Here?” Her eyes widened while she looked around before hesitantly meeting my gaze. “No one else is dancing.”
I never took my eyes off her as I spoke, “Doesn’t mean we can’t.”
She looked at my outstretched hand and then at the table. Reaching forward, she took a napkin, dabbed the corners of her mouth, then slowly raised to her feet. Wordlessly, she touched her palm to mine, allowing me to pull her close.
With her free hand, Zoe held on to my shoulder while I pressed our twined hands against my chest. Banding an arm around her waist, I mashed our bodies even closer together.
And, damn…
Holding a woman had never felt so amazing. She was soft, so incredibly soft. The subtle smell of apples teased my senses again, only this time I did shut my eyes and inhale deeply. We swayed together while the band sang of seeing someone’s true colors and still loving them regardless.
I wanted to see all her colors laid bare almost as much as I needed to show her mine. She’d crawled so deep under my skin there was no way to get her out. Not that I wanted to. It was sudden and unexpected, but Zoe Carlisle was everything I never knew I needed. I didn’t care how hard I had to fight to make her see it and feel it.
A groan blew over my lips as the ending of the song led into something more upbeat. Reluctantly, I released Zoe from my arms only to find her staring up at me. Man, she was absolutely breathtakingly gorgeous. That look in her hazel depths was enough to make any man weak at the knees.
