“I couldn’t let you starve, now could I?” I answer, feeling my cheeks redden as I hand her a sandwich. “Plus, it’s not much. I just stopped at a deli on my way to pick you up. I hope you like turkey on sourdough,” I continue, before she takes a big bite of her sandwich.
I couldn’t let you starve?This girl has the weirdest stuff coming out of my mouth. I’m usually smooth with women. We all know I have no issue getting women to come home with me,but this one . . . This one has me saying the most ridiculous things. Shaking my head, I grab my own sandwich and take the silent opportunity to watch Hannah. The sun is reflecting the golden hues of her braid as she quietly stares off at the mountains. She looks completely mesmerised by the view.
“I can’t believe you got to grow up here. It’s so peaceful,” she finally says, breaking the comfortable silence.
“I know. I can’t say I didn’t take it for granted though. Now that I don’t live here, I try to get out here as much as I can,” I answer honestly, getting up and offering her a hand to lead her down the creek.
Chapter 13
I’m still blown away by the date Ian planned for us.
No. Not a date. We’re just two friends hanging out.
I’m speechless really. I can’t remember the last time someone planned an entire day just for me. I can’t believe he found out what my favorite coffee is. I’m sure if I called Lucas right now and asked him what my favorite coffee is, he wouldn’t be able to tell me. Yet Ian found out, and he let me blast Britney Spears and The Spice Girls in his truck.
Before my mind can wander back to Lucas, Ian interrupts my thoughts and says, “So, we crossed horseback riding off your list. You went line dancing and hiking, what else is on this bucket list of yours?”
“Ummmm, finish my book, go to an MLB game, and have a Girls Beach Vacay—which you are sponsoring by the way, by lending us your beach house,” I say, giving him a smirk. “And, get a tattoo.”
“That sounds like a pretty tame, but very obtainable list,” he comments.
“That’s me. Tame and boring,” I say, turning to look out the window of the truck as he drives me back to Levi’s place.
“I highly doubt that. You seem like a little sassy and sarcastic thing under all that shyness.”
I used to be, I think to myself. Summer and I were always getting into trouble and pushing limits, whether it was sneaking out or daring each other to jump into the lake from various heights, but that all ended somewhere along the way when I met and married Lucas.
But that’s all about to change, I think to myself, as my mind wanders to what Lacey and Ellie added to my Bucket List. More specifically, how Ian has a truck . . . and how sex in a truck was somehow added to the list. If the way my body reacts to him simply looking at me is to be covered in head-to-toe goose bumps, I can only imagine how it would feel to have him caress me with his fingertips instead of just trailing his eyes down my body. Just the thought of his hands on me has me shifting in my seat, trying to find friction.
No, Hannah! You are not thinking about having sex with Ian in his truck. Or sex with Ian, period. The guy is twenty-three years old for God’s sake.
Exactly, he still has the stamina to go all night long,the little devil on my shoulder encourages, making me shiver slightly.
Shaking those thoughts out of my head, I reiterate to myself that I need to focus on me before I even consider jumping into a new relationship. I am in no way thinking about anything with anyone. I mean, I’m still haunted by my ex-husband.
I’ll admit, there’s nothing wrong with a little imagination and wishful thinking, but even I know that starting anything romantic right now wouldn’t be my best move.
But he did bring you a picnic and your favorite coffee, and had a hair tie for you, knowing your hair would beall over your face during the horseback ride, the voice keeps encouraging.
“And what has you blushing there, Hannah?” Ian asks, interrupting my thoughts.
“Nothing,” I hastily answer, making him laugh.
“Now I have to know—you answered that a little too quickly, and you just keep getting redder and redder.”
“Nope. Not telling you,” I say, trying to sound stern, but failing miserably.
“Come on, tell me,” he begs again. “Tell me, and I’ll stop at Starbucks right by Levi’s on my way to drop you off and get you another iced latte.”
“It’s nothing,” I say again.
“Fine, don't tell me,” he says. “I thought we were friends after today, but I see that the thought was only one-sided. Break my heart why don’t you,” he continues, trying to sound serious but failing miserably.
“Fine,” I give in, with an exaggerated eye roll, making him laugh. “Those things I told you about are mostly the things I put on the list, but Lacy and Ellie—mostly Lacey—added other things to the list.” As the last words leave my mouth I feel my face getting hotter, but not because of what’s on the list, but because all I can picture is the man beside me helping me accomplish everything on that list.
Jesus—Lacey is right, I do need to get laid. Or maybe I’ll just take out my trusty old B.O.B. tonight. Yeah, that’s what I’ll do, and I won’t be thinking of Ian as I take out all my pent-up sexual frustration on B.O.B.
Yeah that’s what you think sweetheart,the little voice inside my head says . . .
