Reluctantly I pull away. There's a question I have to ask. "Lynn, I'm thirty-five. How old are you?"
"I'll be twenty-one in a few months."
Dammit. Maybe it's because her energy is so calm, but I would have guessed she was a bit older.
"Do you care that your new boyfriend is an old man?" Although I say it with a chuckle and a wink, she steps back, blinking too quickly.
"What's wrong, sweetheart? Talk to me."
Her eyes half close as she takes a breath. "You're not old. Older, and that's fine. I think I like it, actually. But, um…the other part."
"That I'm your boyfriend?" My fingertips dance along her lower back. "I was hoping I was. Do you like the idea?"
"Really? You're serious?" As soon as I nod, her smile blossoms across her face, lifting her cheekbones, lighting up her eyes. "Yes. I honestly can't believe it, but yes."
Rocking her gently, it's like we're slow dancing to the music of the rustling leaves and occasional bird calls. "You couldn't possibly have thought that I wasn't serious about us?"
Her adorable little nose crinkles. "I don't know. I guess I was afraid to hope so."
Stepping back, I take her hands, then release one to twirl her slowly before clasping her to me in a waltz position. We begin to dance, as her head tilts back in laughter.
"Well, I am incredibly serious about us, gorgeous. I want everything to be comfortable for you. I want you to be completely open with me."
Her hand slips from my shoulder to the side of my neck, her fingertips caressing under my ear sending little shivers of desire through me. "Thank you for that," she says softly. "The more we talk about it, the easier it gets." Her smile is pure sunshine. "Plus, I think I told you, the girls at Acorns have been working on me for ages to speak up more."
"I seriously owe each one of them a pecan pumpkin dark chocolate chunk muffin basket." We continue waltzing,allowing our bodies to move together, enjoying the closeness. "Remember, you don't have to be shy around me. Anytime you want to try flipping that shy switch to the off position, go ahead."
Moving gently, our movements gradually become more intimate. She strokes my lower back. My hand drifts to her ribs, and together we explore how much she wants to touch and be touched.
Her chin tips up. "I know you have a lot on the go. Your company, your work here, your family. You should know that I'm not clingy. You'll need to put other things and people first sometimes, and I'm okay with that."
Dropping her hand, I cup her delicate face. "Well, thank you, but where is that coming from, gorgeous?"
Her eyes fall closed for a few seconds. "I can't help but overhear conversations in the café. It sounds like a lot of people break up because the woman wants to know every detail of the guy's life, or wants to be with him every single moment. I think we all need some space sometimes, right?"
"Definitely. And the same goes for you. If I ask you to dinner, and you need a quiet evening alone, that's cool. There will always be other nights." I place my hand on her stomach, rubbing in a slow circle. "Whatever it takes to keep the squirrels calm, and you happy."
It is already crystal clear to me that I'm falling in love with Lynn. Watching her relax in my arms, learning that she can trust me and I will always be here for her, awakens something deep inside me.
I need to care for her. Need her to need me. Not that I want her to be a helpless damsel in distress, but I want to be the one that she turns to.
I need to be the one she loves forever.
5
LYNN
By the time we get back to the truck my head is spinning. Floating. Ansel is serious about us. Although I never thought he was just after a one night stand, I'm grateful that he's spelled things out so well.
Because from what little I know of relationships, most problems are triggered by unclear communication.
I don't think that's going to be an issue for us. Heck, I actually came out and told him about the squirrels. That's freaking ridiculous, yet he took it in stride.
After helping me into the truck and wrapping me in his hoodie, we drive along a road that becomes barely a trail. Then up a hill, and—
"Oh!" The moon is so beautiful as it suddenly appears over the trees that I cry out in surprise.
Ansel parks the truck facing the lookout. "It's too dark for you to be out walking here anymore, but I'm not ready to take you back to civilization yet. Is this all right?"
