“Another first. I’m gonna start keeping a list.” He winked.
She laughed as he sat back, watching him push the door open. She knew he’d be coming around to her side like a gentleman to open her door.
God, she needed to guard her heart, or she’d fall for a man who would be leaving in no time, while she hid her true identity to keep herself safe.
Jinx wiped thoughts of everything except for the here and now from her mind and focused on the giant of a man opening her door with a smile on his face.
“Hey, you,” she whispered. “You come here often?”
Viking barked a laugh. “There are so many things I could say to that, but I’ll hold my tongue. C’mere, woman.”
She giggled as he lifted her down. “You must lift a lot of weights daily. Seriously, the way you move me about like I’m light as a feather is crazy.” She reached up to touch his bicep.
“You’re a tiny little thing.” He flexed his right arm under her palm.
“I’ll have you know I’m considered average, mister. Maybe a little on the thin side, but I have a bubble butt.”
Jinx slapped her gloved hand over her mouth. She didn’t want him to think she was fishing for compliments.
“Trust me, there isn’t an average inch of you, Vakker. You have a supreme ass, and the front of you leaves me breathless. If someone said differently, then whoever said such stupid shit is either blind or a complete dumbass who doesn’t know their ass from a hole in the wall.
Chapter Eleven
Viking settled Jinx into the passenger seat of his truck. He’d left his family home like his ass had been on fire without explaining the reason why. Not that he owned them one, but when he stayed with his parents, he usually kept them up to date on his comings and goings. Luckily for him, his mother hadn’t been anywhere in sight when he’d left, and his father barely looked up from where he’d been reading something on his tablet when he’d hollered a curt bye.
“I think the truck stop on the other side of town has pretty good food, if my memory serves me correctly. You want to eat there or want to drive around looking for something else?” he asked, looking at her from the corner of his eye. Her silence worried him.
“That actually sounds really good. I love their omelets.” She gripped her knees like she didn’t know what to do with her hands.
He reached over, putting his hand over hers. Again, he noticed the difference in their sizes. She’d said she was average, but to him, she was small. Hisone hand could span both of hers across her knees that she’d locked together. “Hey, what’s wrong? Are you nervous? I can take you home and drop you off if—”
She twisted in her seat, one leg going under her, so she was facing him. His hand fell, so he placed it on the console between them.
“I feel like a damsel in distress, and that’s not how I want you to see me.”
He shook his head and turned into the empty parking lot next to them. Once he was able to put the truck into gear, he shifted to face her. “I don’t look at you like that. Hell, shit happens to the best of us. Just because you had a little issue like two flat tires doesn’t make you a damsel or whatever. I’m damn glad you needed me tonight. I was going stir-crazy at my parents' place waiting long enough before I could head out and come to the bar without looking like a stalker or something.”
The admission didn’t feel heavy after he laid his truth out. She didn’t say anything for a few seconds. Her silence unnerved Viking as she stared at him, weighing his words like she didn’t know whether to believe him or not. He let her take her time deciding.Finally, she blinked slowly and let out a breath that made her chest rise and fall, drawing his attention to the red sweater he’d admired earlier.
“Are you checking me out?” she asked.
He grinned. “Guilty as charged. Have I told you how much I enjoy all your curves, even that bubble butt you spoke about?”
She tried to cover her face, but Viking wasn’t having any of it. He reached for her hands, pulling them from her face. “Seriously, you have no clue how appealing you are. Now, if you are ready, I’d like to take you to a truck stop for some fine dining.” He wagged his brows, making her laugh.
“That is the most oxymoronic thing I’ve ever heard.” She kept her hands in his, giving a slight squeeze.
“Are you calling me a moron?” He gave a little tug, pulling her closer to the center, meeting her halfway. As their faces were inches apart, he stared her in the eyes.
“I’d never be so bold,” she whispered.
“Mmmm, I don’t know if I believe you.” Viking rubbed his nose against hers.
“Shut up and kiss me.”
He didn’t bother wasting another breath with words. Tilting his head to the side, he brought his face the scant inches needed to touch his lips to hers, sealing their mouths in a sweet, all-consuming kiss. They’d kissed several times before, but this time, he felt as though they connected on a deeper level. She tunneled her fingers in his hair, holding him as she swept her tongue into his mouth. He let her set the pace, moaning as she bit his bottom lip and then sucked it into her mouth. He pulled back, staring into her heated gaze.
“You sure know how to knock a man off his feet.” He swiped his tongue over his lips, tasting her there.
