Lucy stopped herself mid-stride, the scent of her arousal dissipating.
“I mean,thedog.” She glanced at him. “He wasn’t really mine.” Lucy sighed, dropping her eyes.
“I just took care of him because I didn’t know whose he was.”
“Well,” Cade pulled her into his arms. “I’m sure he’s very grateful.”
“You think?”
“I do.”
He was incredibly grateful for Lucy’s help. He had no clue how he was going to break the news to her that he’d been ‘the dog’, though. They were just beginning to get to know each other, and he’d meant what he’d said about her setting the pace. Until she was ready, he couldn’t share that part of himself.
“It’s probably for the best that Dr. Truett took him away.” She pulled back, looking up at him. “I don’t actually know anything about dogs.”
“I’m sure you know more than you think.” Cade smiled, remembering all the Googling she’d done on his behalf.
Lucy gave him a little smile, leaning back further, gazing up into his face.
Damn, she was lovely.
She reached up, caressing his cheek again like she had inside the cafe, her eyes dropping to his mouth. Cade went with it, leaning down and pressing his lips to hers.
At the contact, a frisson of energy went through his body. Every nerve ending called to attention as she kissed him back.
Fucking hell, if that’s what happened from a chaste little kiss, he couldn’t imagine what the mating was going to be like.
And damn, he couldn’t wait to get her home and find out.
On that note, he ended the kiss, brushing his lips along her temple as he pulled back.
“So,” damn, his voice was gravelly, “How about that farmer’s market then?”
Lucy nodded with a smile, and Cade orientated them toward the gate.
Though the market was the last place he wanted to take her, after everything she’d had done for him, it was the least he could do.
He’d eaten all her berries, after all.
Cade grinned as Lucy leaned into him, wrapping her arm around his waist while they walked to her car. Damn, he could get used to this.
He really could.
Chapter Ten
Lucy grinned as Cade buckled her in again. While she was perfectly capable of fastening her own seatbelt, there was something endearing about the way he did it. As though it was all part and parcel of helping her into the car, like her comfort and safety were his personal responsibility.
“Can’t be too careful.” He smiled.
“So I hear.”
He gazed at her tenderly as he stepped back and closed her door, and Lucy fought the urge to touch her mouth. Her lips still tingled where he’d kissed her, her body still alive with that electric hum. She chuckled to herself as Cade settled into the driver’s seat.
All that from a little kiss.
She’d never felt so alive with any man before. Or so safe. Honestly, she couldn’t think of the last time she’d let anyone else drive her car. And she’d never agreed to go to a guy’s house on the first date before. Not that they were dating. Not yet anyway, but Lucy knew in her bones it was inevitable.
Heck, she’d already invited him on a day trip, hadn’t she?
