“You’re thankingme?” I say against a nervous laugh. “You didn’t even get to—”
He presses his finger to my mouth. “I don’t need anything from you tonight. Except maybe . . .” He pushes my hair back from my face. “For you to say yes to dating me. If you want to, I mean.”
It’s so endearing how this man who just obliterated me against the wall without ever taking his pants off looks shy right now.
“You want to date me?”
He nods. “Exclusively. Monogamously. I’d like to watch all seven seasons of a show with you. Hang out and feel bored together. I’ll fill your truck up with gas when you don’t want to. And I promise I’ll never give a shit about a nipple hair.”
A breeze swirls in my stomach, making me laugh.
“What do you think?” He kisses my temple and I melt against him, feeling so safe and cared for.
I don’t have the answers yet to whether we’re capable of making it for the long haul. I don’t know if I’m any good at commitment or if he’ll ever be willing to grow and change with me. This isbrand-new territory, but I do know one thing for sure: James Huxley is my favorite person, and he could never be a wrong choice.
“I’d like to do all of that too. With you.”
He sighs like he’s waited for that answer for longer than just this moment. He kisses me softly, lighting my blood again. But before I lose my nerve, I need to align our expectations. “James. Would you be okay with keeping it quiet for now, though? Letting it stay between us until the restaurant is launched?”
“Okay,” he says quickly, taking my hand and kissing the back of it.
“Wait,” I protest as he kisses the inside of my wrist. “You didn’t even hear my reason yet.”
“I don’t need it.” A kiss on my forearm.
“But it’s not because I’m ashamed of us or anything.”
“Okay.” He gently sinks his teeth into my biceps, unbothered.
“It’s because there’re a lot of eyes on me right now, and the pressure is heavy. I don’t want to add another reason for the town to talk about me. Or inflict their opinions on my life. I want to enjoy us without any commentary.”
He’s smiling now, holding my face in his huge hands, looking for all the world like he just found treasure.No one has ever looked at me like that before.
“I like you a lot, Madison. I trust you. And I already told you, I’ll do anything you want.”
And looking into his dark, beautiful eyes, all I can hope is that I don’t mess this up.
CHAPTER THIRTY
James
Guess what sucks? Finally getting to date the woman you’ve loved for years, only for you both to be so busy launching a restaurant and running a farm that you don’t actually get to date.
It’s been two weeks since the most incredible night of my life, and I’ve seen Madison twice, only briefly: Once when she was rushing out of the house to hold interviews with her potential kitchen staff at the coffee shop. I didn’t even get to kiss her because a couple of my crew were around. And another time when we “accidentally” met at the Diner for lunch. I did kiss her then, but it was in the hallway on the way to the bathroom and so quick it barely counts.
We’ve talked on the phone every night for a few minutes, but I’m always exhausted from my early mornings and she’s distracted with restaurant prep: cooking, writing something down, or researching on her laptop. It’s okay, though. When we agreed to keep this under wraps until after the restaurant launch, it was also anunvoiced decision to let it stay on the back burner (no pun intended) for now.
I’m content to wait for her as long as needed.
But tonight I got off work a little early, and after showering I put my new skills to work and whipped something up for us at my place. Her cottage lights are glowing against the night as I walk over, hoping this surprise appearance will be okay.
She opens the door, eyes wide to find me here, then launches herself at me. Kissing me into her house.
The door clicks shut behind us and her lips haven’t left mine yet. It’s not passionate or sexy. It’s the best clumsy, giggly welcome I’ve ever received. I need to pinch myself to make sure this is real.
“It’s okay I’m here?” I ask against her mouth.
She smiles, all teeth. “Never leave.” Madison snatches the reusable bag from my arm and takes it to the counter, poking her nose inside. “Did you bring me presents? Smells good.”
