Page 82 of Dandelion Sighs

“Is that what they call it nowadays?” I chugged my water. I would learn to dance for this man just because he treated me more special than any ex ever had.

“If it works with you, that’s what I’m calling it. Wanna”—he waggled his brows—“dance?”

I was a little sweaty, but his words warmed me even more. “That’s third-date territory.”

He groaned and took the water cup from me, tossing it in the garbage by the bathrooms. “You mean I’ve gotta wait again? I didn’t think this dating thing through.”

I chuckled, but something he said stuck with me. “Again? You were waiting before?”

He swung me into his arms. “Since I first saw you.”

“The whole point of our meeting was that I didn’t see you, and I crashed into you.”

His crooked grin wormed its way further into my heart. “It doesn’t matter. I would’ve seen you. I might’ve even hit on you.”

“But my mom intervened.”

His lips stayed quirked. “Smart woman.”

Once we were back in the area with the scattering of other couples left at the dance, he whirled me into his hold. I did better, falling in step with him. My comfort level was increasing, and just plain being in his arms resonated deep into my bones.

“Want to go to Purple Petal with me tomorrow night?” he murmured in my ear.

“Rushing the second date?” All I cared about was that he asked me out again. The sex was great, but this dating business? It was more.

“I’m an impatient man around you. Whaddya say?”

“I have to work a double at the front desk. I figured I’d be around all day, and I’d been absent for so long while we were cleaning up the house. I’m hoping to catch up on some scheduling and go through the numbers for hiring and the events.”

“You don’t have to explain, boss. I’ll be around and ready when you are.”

“Thank you.”

I relaxed in his arms. Muscle memory helped with the steps, and the song was slow enough I didn’t have to concentrate. Jasper was the perfect partner. He was patient, and if I stumbled, he might give me an encouraging smile, but he didn’t otherwise highlight my error.

Date-Night Jasper was even more alluring than Handyman Jasper or Hookup Jasper.

How was he single?

Because he wanted to be. Yet he’d asked me out. And he’d inquired about another date. Did I let the opportunity slip by?

No. Not at all. “Tuesday.”

The brim of his hat shaded the pleased look in his eyes like it was just for me. “It’s a date.”

Jasper

Sheridan sat across from me in a booth at Purple Petal, studying her menu. The last two and a half days had gone by at a snail’s pace. Sheridan had been busy at the resort, filling in at the front desk. Then Landon had needed a day off, so both she and I had pitched in to get the rooms cleaned. I hadn’t been able to talk to her in a capacity other than work, and it wasn’t even like before, when I’d had her to myself while we knocked out a project.

I’d been craving more time with her, and it was becoming a constant feeling. I couldn’t shake the need I had around her—to consume her, and it wasn’t just about getting her naked and under me.

I really fucking liked this girl.

We were only on our second date. I hadn’t thought this through. Before I had officially asked her out, this night would’ve ended up with me inside her. It would’ve been just sex. But now? I would honor the third-date rule. She had to see that what was between us wasn’t as arbitrary as that. I could handle the need for release, the craving to hear her moans. It’d be worth it.

“What are you getting?” she asked.

“Beef tips. I’d get surf and turf, but the resort really does do that the best.”