Walker lets out a low tut of disapproval. “I’m disappointed my sister never made sure you did it right. I thought I taught her better.”
I rock back on my heels, smirking. “So are you going to show me, or just keep talking about it?”
He stands to his full height, tucking his hands into his pockets. “Step one: Secure the snacks.” He motions toward a small trailer serving as the concession stand.
My stomach chooses that exact moment to remind me I skipped lunch. I was too nervous about our meetup, which somehow turned into a date, one that I’m relieved to discover includes food.
“Yup. We definitely need snacks first. I can’t risk having a hangry Birdie on my hands.”
I nudge his shoulder. “Oh, come on. I’m not that bad.”
“I’m still recovering from the Prickly Pear Fiasco of last spring,” he says, shivering dramatically.
He’s totally exaggerating… or at least that’s what I tell myself. A few of us had stopped in for food on the way to the rodeo, but they were out of veggie burgers, and the side salad I ordered did little to curb my hunger. By the time we reached the bull-riding portion at the rodeo, I was starving, cranky, and may havesnapped at a man behind us who joked that bulls are dumb and can’t feel pain like humans.
Walker had to physically restrain me before I could grab the idiot and shake some sense into him. Once I settled down, he walked twenty minutes to the nearest gas station and came back with a smoothie, a cheese stick, and a granola bar to tide me over until I got home.
Come to think of it, he’s rescued me countless times, and I’m only now realizing how much of a presence he’s been in my life the past few years.
“If you’re so worried about my hangry side taking over, lead the way to the snacks,” I say, nodding toward the concession trailer.
“I thought you’d never ask.”
My mouth falls open when he threads his fingers through mine as we cross the lot. A thrill races through me like tiny sparks of electricity, sending a delicious heat blooming in my chest.
Several other moviegoers glance our way, but Walker appears completely at ease, letting our proximity speak for itself. If he hadn’t admitted he’d never dated before, I might feel jealous that other women got to see this side of him. In all honesty, it’s nice knowing this is new territory for him too.
Don’t forget, Birdie—this is just pretend.
The reminder is sharp and sobering, but I won’t let it ruin our evening. For all intents and purposes, this has to look real to anyone watching, so I’m going to enjoy being on the arm of the hottest cowboy in the county instead of dwelling on the truth. This facade comes with an expiration date, and there will be plenty of time to face that harsh reality later.
As we move forward in line, Walker glances down at my feet. “Your shoelace is untied. Let me get that for you.”
I’m stunned when he drops to his knees in front of me, gathering the loose strings and carefully tying them into a bow, finishing with a double knot.
I could get used to seeing him on his knees for me.
Sweet Mercy. Get a grip, Birdie.
It’s hard not to swoon when this feels like a scene from a romance novel where the hero’s smallest act of thoughtfulness outshines any grand gesture.
Walker gazes up at me, smirking. “You’re comparing me to a hero from a romance book, huh? Do you think I’d be the brooding, protective type or the hopelessly devoted golden retriever?” I’m pinned in place as he rises to his full height.
Oh, fudge—I did that thing where I talk to myself out loud again, and I can’t even blame a hangover this time. Thank goodness I didn’t say the part out loud about him being on his knees.
He raises a brow. “What’s that about me being on my knees?”
“Nothing,” I reply, my voice higher than I intended.I really need to stop thinking out loud.“Wait… how do you know terms like brooding and golden retriever? Do you secretly read romance novels as a hobby or something?”
“Orsomething,” he answers cryptically. “What I can tell you is that our first kiss will be far swoonier than any from a storybook.”
The world around us fades, and my focus narrows to the delicious mix of longing and desire coiling low in my belly.
I rise on my toes, tipping my head so our lips are only inches apart. “I’m all ears, Deputy. Why don’t you walk me through what it would be like.”
He swallows hard, eyes flickering to my mouth. “I’d start slow and sweet, teasing the corners of your lips and giving you a taste but not fully claiming them right away.” His other hand slides to the small of my back. “Drawing it out heightens every sensation,making the eventual kiss even more electrifying when it finally comes.”
I let the silence stretch between us, waiting until the group ahead of us reaches the counter to order before responding.
