“He was stupid. Your ex.” Rhett turns his head towards me. “He never should have let you go.”
“You’re right. Probably the best thing to happen to me, if I’m honest.”
Neither of us speaks for a few minutes. I’m afraid to say anything because I don’t want to scare this man away or ruin this perfect evening.
“Were you serious about helping me with the barn and stuff for Wilbur?”
“Why wouldn’t I be? I told you I’d help, and I will. I even know how to do manual labour,” I joke and sway over to bump his shoulder. “I’d love to help you.”
Rhett smiles and remains silent for a while again. It’s nice, just being here and staring at the sky, picking at cold, soggyfries while Tater snuffles closer every few minutes, looking for a snack. I sneak her some, of course, but not sneakily enough.
“She’s going to beg every time you’re around if you keep doing that.”
“Maybe. What do I need to have you beg every time I’m around?”
Rhett snaps his head to look at me, and I shrug. “You don’t have to beg, but it makes a guy feel wanted, you know?”
He says nothing for a moment, but I feel the weight of his gaze on me. “You’re not like anyone I’ve ever been with.” His voice is low, and I turn my head towards him. “You make me feel…desired. Wanted more than I’ve ever felt, and I don’t know what to do with that.”
His choice of words and confession floors me.
“Pardon fucking me, but you’ve been with the wrong people, Rhett. You’re…you are…Jesus, I can’t even speak the words. That’s how desirable you are to me. You take over every single brain cell I have. Most days, you’re all I can think about. Did he eat tonight, or was he too busy? Would it be weird if I showed up with food? Am I being too much, and he hates it?”
I can’t read his expression, but Tater chooses that moment to step in and lick his face. He pets her and never breaks eye contact.
“Really? You think of me like that all the time? Why?”
I huff in disbelief. Not because he’s asking, but because he legit just doesn’t see himself how I do.
“How much time do you have? Because it’s not just a few short reasons I can rhyme off, Rhett.”
He stretches across the space between us and presses a tender kiss to my lips.
“You’re not too much, by the way. You’re just enough to shine into my heart and lift the fog that’s been there for so long that I’djust accepted it. You’re like the rainbow after a storm, Diamond. You make me smile and wish for more.”
Jesus. He might kill me. The hope and tenderness in his voice.
“Well, without hope, what’s the point, right?” I whisper as he drifts closer.
He gently pushes me onto my back, and in the back of his truck in a darkened parking lot, his fingers dust over my zipper. “Can I do this here? Are you okay with it?”
“Fuck yes. I blew you in a model barn on public property for fuck’s sake. Clearly, I’m okay with this.”
He laughs softly. His hot breath against my neck as his calloused fingers wrap around my erection. I’m dimly aware of Tater somewhere in the truck bed, and a laugh slips out even as Rhett brings me closer to my release with his hand in my pants.
“Tater. Does she watch?”
“She’s asleep. Forget the dog, Dee. Come for me, beautiful.”
Shit.
Rhett jerking me off in the back of his truck in a parking lot should make me feel like a cheap whore. It smells like vinegar, and that scent in the air when everything is fresh and new with spring. And Rhett. God. This shouldn’t make me so delirious with lust, but I arch into his hand and pull his lips to mine.
He smiles against my lips as I chant his name and empty into his hand.
“Fuck, Dee…you’re incredible.” He kisses my neck before pulling back to stare at me.
“You’re the one with the amazing hands.”
