Page 46 of Ruined
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
“What?” The annoyance in my voice only made Logan smirk. I was taking Zoe to a night market a few towns over. Afraid that we might be home late, I’d asked my brother if Molly could spend the night.
Big mistake.
He’d been staring at me with that cat-that-just-got-cream expression on his face since I’d arrived ten minutes ago.
“So,” he drawled, leaning a hip against the railing. “My big brother has a hot date tonight?”
Trying my best to act cool, calm and collected, I shrugged. “It’s not a big deal.” Only it was the biggest of deals. I hadn’t been on a date since things with Melissa had gone belly up. I wasn’t just nervous, I was scared shitless.
“Oh, but it is,” my brother cheerfully countered. “You haven’t been out with anyone in ages.” Pushing off the railing, he came to stand next to me. “Do you still remember how to—” he bumped my shoulder with his, “—you know…” Logan then made a crude gesture with his fingers while bellowing out a laugh.
Narrowing my eyes, I glared at him. “Piss off.”
More loud laughter. When he finally caught his breath, he slapped a palm against my back. “I’m only yanking your chain, man. Go have fun…maybe if you’re really lucky Zoe will remove the stick from your ass.”
“You’re a bloody moron,” I mumbled under my breath. Deciding it would be better and safer if I simply left, I said, “Call me if Molly needs anything.” Turning, I rushed down the stairs toward my truck. My idiot brother was still shaking with laughter as I pulled out of the driveway.
Seven minutes later, I was rapping my knuckles against Brett’s door. As I waited for it to open, I hoped that Brett wasn’t going to give me any shit either. I heard shuffling and immediately stood a little taller, cursing the fact that I felt like a teenage boy picking up a girl for the first time.
The door opened, and I immediately forgot how to breathe. Standing in front of me was Zoe, looking like my every fantasy come to life in a pale-yellow dress that had no sleeves. The top part clung to her body in a way that I’d only dreamed of, while the bottom part flared out, ending right above her knees.
Leisurely, I allowed my gaze to travel from the tips of her toes all the way up to her beautiful face. She’d pulled her hair into some intricate knot and I just knew I was going to have a hard time keeping my hands and lips off her bare neck.
I finally found my voice, “Damn, Zoe…” Pity I couldn’t string more than two words together.
“Hi.” Her lips lifted into a smile. They were glossy and looked so incredibly inviting, all I could think was whether they tasted of the apple I was getting a whiff of.
Shit. The night hadn’t even started yet. I needed to reel in my hormones, and I needed to do it fast. Tugging at the collar of my polo shirt, I asked, “You ready?” If she heard the gruff edge to my voice, she didn’t show.
As we made our way to the truck, the need to touch her was almost overwhelming. It was like I needed to feel her skin beneath my palms as desperately as an addict needed his next fix. I was in the process of reaching for her hand when I reminded myself that I’d sworn to take it slow. I didn’t want to spook her by coming on too strong.
Like I’d done the other night.
Those first few minutes heading out of town were awkwardly silent. I’d opened and shut my mouth so many times, I probably looked like a gaping fish.Just breathe, you idiot. It’s possible that she’s just as nervous as you are.
“Sooo,” her sweet voice drew my attention. “Where are we going?”
I stole a quick glance at her before giving the road ahead my full attention again. In my peripheral vision, I could see her shift in her seat, the action causing her dress to glide up her thighs. Gripping the steering wheel tighter, I managed, “It’s a surprise.”
“A surprise hmm?” Shifting in her seat again, she leaned closer. “Why, sheriff, you aren’t planning to drag me off into the woods? ‘Cause if you are, I’d like to say goodbye to my family first.”
Furrowing my brows, I glanced sideways. Her face held no emotion, and I wasn’t sure if she was being serious or not. I was about to ask as much when laughter broke out beside me. This time my confusion was evident when I looked at her.
“I’m sorry…I make silly jokes when I’m nervous.”
Reaching across the seat, I finally gave in to my need to touch her as I squeezed her leg. “I’m nervous, too.”
The rest of the trip to Pine Town was spent lost in conversation. Zoe told me all about her life back in TC and how she was contemplating starting over somewhere new now that the gallery was gone. On more than one occasion I’d wanted to tell her to move to Willow Creek, but I knew that would be inappropriate coming from me, so I didn’t.
Before we knew it, the forty-minute drive was over, and we were parked in the PT Rec Club parking lot. Zoe took in the lights, the hustle and bustle of people milling around then turned her attention to me. “What’s this?”
I looked over at the field covered with an array of stalls. “PT’s famous night market. Once a month the locals will come together to sell their goods. There’s usually a band and rides for the kids.” Looking back at her, I shrugged. “I thought this would be a bit more interesting than dinner at a restaurant.”
Zoe didn’t answer me. I feared I’d made a horrible mistake. It was on the tip of my tongue to offer to take her to a steak house when the smile that always managed to steal my breath was back. Her hazel eyes went wide, excitement burning bright in them. Clasping her hands together, she pressed them to her chest, “This is perfect…” A frown suddenly appeared. “I’m sure Molly would’ve loved to see this.”
And that right there was why I was falling for this woman, how could I not when she so clearly cared for my baby girl too? I wished we were standing outside so I could take her in my arms, hold her close, tell her how much her words had touched me.
