“How about this weekend?”
“Um,” Cade watched Lucy’s mouth as she took another bite of her croissant. Damn, he wanted to kiss her. And how inappropriate was that right now? He’d backed them off the heat so they could do things in the right order, or at least he’d tried to.
Though they spoke like civilized people, he still wanted Lucy with the same intensity as the moment he’d laid eyes on her, and that beautiful scent of her arousal that had bloomed for him earlier hadn’t abated in the slightest either.
“Oh, right, your injury.” Lucy wiped her mouth with her napkin. “We can find another day when you’re better. I have plenty to keep me busy, but I heard that summer’s the best time to go. Well, the safest anyway.”
Thank fuck she understood about safety.
Cade smiled, realizing what a good thing that was. His urge to protect her was already strong, and would only deepen with the bonding. Having her on board with staying safe boded well for their relationship.
“We’ll find a time.” He promised as Lucy pushed her half-eaten croissant aside. “Did you get enough to eat?”
“Yes.” She smiled. “I’m not that hungry.”
Could have fooled him.
“And yet, there’s hunger in your eyes.” He chuckled.
She glanced down, that flush rising again, and Cade reached out, crooking a finger under her chin and lifting her face.
“That’s not a bad thing, Lucy.” He brushed his thumb along her chin. “In fact, I think it’s sexy as hell.”
“What are we doing here, Cade?” She asked softly. “I think you’re attractive, but I don’t even know you. I don’t usually jump into things like this so… quickly.”
“We can take whatever pace you need, Lucy,” he promised tenderly. “I think you’re attractive too, and I’d love to get to know you better.”
In every way.
Damn, how did he tell this woman that he’d already fallen for her? That in his mind and heart, she was already his?
They sat like that for a few moments. Her gazing at him with those gorgeous brown eyes, him stroking his thumb along her chin, silently willing her to be open to him. To them.
And then she smiled.
Cade lost his breath as she grinned at him, dipping her chin to kiss his thumb.
“You know, I’m game if you still wanted to go to your place.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
As she nodded, Cade felt more buoyant than he’d felt in his entire fucking life.
“But could we swing by the farmer’s market first?” she asked apologetically. “They close at one today and don’t want to rush our time.”
“The farmer’s market.”
She was killing him, she really was. But as she grinned at him with a little shrug, Cade found he couldn’t deny her.
“Sure.”
This way, they’d have the afternoon all to themselves.
“Great!” She set her napkin on the table. “They had the best berries last week and I’m out. My dog really liked them.”
“Your dog, huh?” Cade chuckled, following Lucy to the gate, appreciating being claimed by her in that way.
