The sun was almost finished with its decent behind the mountains, painting the sky in smudges of dark blues and deep purples. “On this block, but it’s not like we turn into a ghost town once the sun goes down. The Tap Room isn’t far from here, and there are a few restaurants nearby that stay open late. That’s where the crowds will be.”
“That’s good to know for the future.” He pressed his thumb to the passenger door handle and the car beeped as the locks disengaged.
He pulled the door open and placed his hand on the small of my back to help me up. As soon as he closed the door, I pulled in a huge breath. The interior of the car smelled just like him. Like laundry right out of the dryer, or how it smells outside after it rains. It was fresh and clean and completely intoxicating.
“I hope you’re hungry,” he said as he climbed behind the wheel and pulled his seatbelt on.
My stomach chose that very moment to let out a very loud rumble. “I think it’s safe to say I am. Now that the date has finally arrived, will you tell me where we’re going?”
Bracing his forearm on the steering wheel, he twisted in his seat to face me, and I could have sworn he looked a bit uncertain. “I remembered how you said the days could get long for you, running the bookstore and everything. I figured that maybe you’d prefer to have a nice, relaxing night, so I thought I’d take you back to the place I’m renting and cook for you.” His lips stretched into a wince. “But thinking about it now, and the fact that you hardly know me, I can see that might not have been thebest idea; you might want something more public. At least until you’re comfortable with me.”
A pang of something hot and exhilarating ricochetted through me, reminding me it had been areallylong time since I’d felt drawn to a man in any sort of way besides platonic. Not only did he remember I’d mentioned how work could tire me out, but he’d actually prepared for it, wanting to ensure I was able to fully enjoy myself. I couldn’t remember the last time anyone besides my siblings or closest friends had taken my comfort into consideration.
“Tanner, that’s incredibly thoughtful, and really sweet.” I reached across the center console, placing my hand on his arm and giving it a reassuring squeeze. “And actually, a night in sounds perfect. Given you can actually cook and won’t give me food poisoning or anything,” I tacked on with an arched brow. After those text conversations, I’d started to realize he was pretty easy to talk to, and the longer I spent in his company the more that point was driven home. My nerves were slowly melting away.
He hit me with a megawatt grin, knocking the air right out of my lungs. “Don’t worry, Sunshine. I know my way around a kitchen.”
Why the hell was hearing him say that so damn sexy?
Chapter Eight
Holiday
The drive to his rental cabin had been surprisingly comfortable. No awkward silences or tension thickening the air. The more time I spent with Tanner, the more I realized what Ivy said was true. He might be a celebrity in a lot of circles, and he might have more money than I’d know what to do with in a lifetime—or so I heard; I refused to google him before the date, worried it would only stress me out more—but he was a normal guy.
A sexy mountain of a man rippling with strength and muscle, but still a normal guy.
Who just so happened to be renting the most beautiful house I had ever seen.
I sucked in a gasp of awe when we first pulled up and I got a look at where he was staying. The wordcabinwas misleading. The place was more like a rustic mountain mansion made of wood, stone, and glass than it was a cabin. The inside was even more spectacular, with its incredible views of the foothills andforest. It was beautiful, and it was giving me some serious house envy.
Tanner had given me a short tour of the main living spaces, but before we could get more in-depth, my stomach let out another horrifying growl, so he insisted on starting dinner.
Now I was sitting at the oversized island with a glass of red wine he poured for me, watching him work.
He hadn’t been lying about knowing his way around a kitchen. As I sipped my delicious wine in the dream of a kitchen, it was clear to see that, if anything, he’d downplayed his skills.
He hadn’t technically started cooking yet, but I could tell he was good simply by the way he moved around, pulling out ingredients and utensils with a level of comfort as only someone who knew what they were doing could.
“Are you sure I can’t help with anything?” I asked again.
Tanner leaned back so he could see me around the opened refrigerator door. “Absolutely not.” He pointed a finger at me. “You sit right there and relax. That’s your only job this evening. I’ve got this covered.”
I couldn’t remember the last time a man had cooked for me, so who was I to argue? Lifting my glass, I took another sip. The wine was smooth and rich, probably the best I’d ever had, and from the vibrant flavors alone, I was pretty sure there was no way in hell I’d be able to afford a bottle myself, so I was happy to indulge while I had the chance. There was also the added benefit that it helped me feel warm and loose and not too nervous anymore.
I’d sent a pin to my girls with my location as soon as we got to Tanner’s cabin, but the better I got to know him, the more certain I felt I was totally safe with him.
“Okay,” Tanner started again from behind the fridge door. “I wasn’t sure if you had any food allergies, so I got a couple options at the store earlier today.” That melty sensation inmy belly grew more intense at the realization that Tanner had actually gone grocery shopping himself in preparation for our date. “Lady’s choice. I have everything for shrimp scampi over homemade pasta, but in case you can’t eat shellfish or gluten I also picked up ingredients for chicken stir fry.”
My god, this man was potent.
“Homemadepasta?” It would have been an impossible choice for me to make if not for those two words. I was a sucker for carbs in any and all forms, but pasta was my absolute favorite. And knowing he could make it by hand might as well have been my kryptonite.
Tanner’s straight white teeth flashed in a smile he aimed in my direction before he lifted his bottle of beer and sipped. The man had the best smile. “Yep. And I take it by that look on your face that’s the choice you’re making?”
“Pasta is life,” I declared with the proper seriousness a statement like that deserved.
Tanner’s rough chuckle filled the space, warming the air around me. “Noted. Shrimp and pasta it is.”
