“Sure. Do you have any ideas?” I flirted right back. That kiss we’d shared the night before had left me in a worthless state. The more I thought about it, the more I felt completely unfulfilled. The kiss itself had been remarkable. But it had also cracked open a longing I couldn’t seem to shake. Lying next to Jasper through the movie, even with a dog the size of Buster between us, had only increased my inexplicable need.
“We could”—he checked his phone for the time—“head over to the bar in Swynton for a drink. They’re serving for another couple of hours.”
“Isn’t that pretty far out of the way?”
His shoulders rolled. “Well, yeah. But it’s not like I’ve got to get you somewhere super early tomorrow.”
“If that’s what you want to do.”
He studied me for a long beat. “I’ve got another idea.”
“Uh-oh. What kind of idea?”
“It’s a surprise.” He fired up the engine and headed back the way we came. Keeping one hand on the wheel, he fiddled with the radio dial with the other. “What kind of music do you like?”
“I’m flexible.”
He settled on a country station. “You sure are accommodating tonight.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Buster’s nose nudged into my arm. Technically he was sitting in the back seat, although he’d been working his way onto the console.
“Get back, Buster.” Jasper rested his elbow between us, forcing Buster to retreat to the back seat again. “He’s used to riding shotgun.”
“I feel so special. You’ve given me priority seating over your dog.” I let out a soft laugh. Maybe it was the sugar in the lemonade. Or maybe it was spending the evening watching one of the most romantic movies of all time, knowing I was sitting next to the best kisser I’d ever met. Whatever it was, something had loosened my grip on my self-control. I’d shed the weight of my public persona. For some reason, when I was alone with Jasper, I felt like I didn’t have to put on airs or worry about what he would think of me.
“You should feel special. You’re the first woman to displace Buster to the back seat. Not even Abby gets to ride up front whenhe’s in the truck.” Jasper reached back and ruffled the dog’s fur, earning him a few long swipes of wet dog kisses.
I smiled to myself. Jasper had just confirmed there wasn’t another woman in his life. I’d assumed as much after spending the night at his place. But having him confirm that I was the first woman to displace the dog convinced me he wasn’t dating around. That definitely made me feel better about planting that humdinger of a kiss on him the night before.
We passed the turn off to Taylor Grove and drove down the blacktop a few more miles. Jasper kept his eyes on the road, humming along every once in a while to the soft sounds coming from the radio. I was content to let my head rest against the doorframe and enjoy the chance to study him under the cover of the dark cab.
Finally, he turned on the blinker and slowed. We hadn’t passed another vehicle in at least ten minutes. If it were someone besides Jasper, I might be a little concerned about heading out to the middle of nowhere. But in the short time we’d known each other, he’d shown me he was a gentleman.
The truck bounced onto a narrow dirt road. “Careful, it’s a little rough here.”
“Where in the world are you taking me?” Tall grass rose up on either side of the truck, almost high enough to reach the windows.
He shot me a glance, his lips quirked up in a grin. “You’ll see.”
My fingers wrapped tight around the handle over my head, and I tried to anticipate the worst of the bumps. We passed through a stand of scrubby trees, and just when I was about to ask him to turn back, he stopped.
He cut the lights and killed the engine. “We’re here.”
I looked through the windshield. The truck sat on top of a bluff. Off in the distance the lights of the town twinkled. “Is that Ido?”
“Yep.” He scooted closer. “See the dark section between the lights?”
I nodded.
“That’s the river. The lights on the other side are coming from Swynton.”
“It’s beautiful.”
“If you think that’s great, come with me.” He got out of the truck, and Buster hopped over the seat to follow.
I checked out the window. We’d left the tall grass behind when we passed through the trees, but I was careful to watch my step. With my luck I’d set my foot down on a snake, or maybe even something way worse.
Jasper had climbed into the bed of the truck. “You want to come up?”
