Page 60 of Say it Ain’t So

So. Fucking. Beautiful.

Reaching across the center console, I took her hand in mine. “Patience, gorgeous. You’ll know soon enough.”

And she would. I could see Navy Pier from where we sat at the red light. By the time we’d pulled into the parking garage, she was bouncing in her seat.

“I can’t believe you’re taking me to Navy Pier!” She had the widest smile on her face when she spun my way. “I’ve only been there a few times and I absolutely love it.”

As I cut the engine, I put on a frown and turned toward her. “And here I thought I had something special planned.”

Joss grabbed my hand and practically crawled across the center console, that wide smile turning my fake frown upside down as she moved closer. “Oh, Rylan, you have no idea.”

She reached for me, her fingers dancing up my bicep, sending warmth spreading through me as my blood fucking woke up and took notice.

“This place feels so magical to me, and I keep meaning to come but I always have something else that needs done.” That hand of hers reached my shoulder and swept across my chest, and she was leaning in, her gaze dropping to my mouth as she brought her hand to my cheek.

The desire to kiss her was so strong, it took everything in me not to. This wasn’t how I wanted tonight to go. First date kisses were meant for after the date, not before it’d even started. I was trying to be good, trying to prove to the both of us that this thing between us had staying power. That we could be more than a flash in the pan after a night of desire.

As if sensing my thoughts, Joss lifted her gaze to mine. Her smile faltered as she lowered her hand, though she fought to keep it in place.

“Thank you.” She took hold of my hand and squeezed. “Thank you for bringing me here.”

“Don’t thank me yet, gorgeous. We haven’t even gotten out of the car.”

She rolled her eyes—damn, she was beautiful when she did that too—and her smile came back. “Then what are we waiting for?”

“Not waiting on anything.” I swept her hair off her shoulder, then bent to place a kiss on her cheek. “Come on. Our reservations are ready.”

Joss held tight to my hand as we strolled along the pier, passing a crowd gathered around a band playing an upbeat song. The cool wind blowing in off the lakes whipped her hair around her shoulders, making her look full of the magic she thought this place held.

She’d certainly put a spell on me—I’d been weak in the knees for her from the first time I saw her. She caught me staring and though color rose to her cheeks, she didn’t comment. Only smiled shyly and leaned in a little closer, until our shoulders were pressed together as tightly as our palms.

At the restaurant, Joss ordered a daiquiri, and I got a beer—as if we really were starting all over again. Once the waiter stepped away with our order, I turned my full attention back to her.

“So, Joss, tell me about yourself.”

She dipped her chin, clutched her drink between her hands, and peeked up at me. “What do you want to know?”

I leaned forward in my chair, ignoring my beer in favor of learning more about my girl. “Favorite hobby?”

She blinked at me, then dropped her gaze. Something flashed across her face—something I didn’t understand. But in an instant, it was gone. “Right now, probably watching my fish. Doing what I can to make sure they are healthy and enjoy their home.”

“They’ve got a nice home. Your tank is pretty cool.”

“Thank you.” She pulled her hair off her neck, then shifted in her seat. “Do you always do this?”

That look was back. Whatever had been bothering her a moment ago had come back to the forefront of her attention. “Do what?”

“This.” She waved her hand between the two of us. “The questions. You did it at Dueling Axes with Kolton and Van, and I…”

I took hold of her hand and waited until she looked back at me. “You what?”

“I thought this was something special between us.” Her voice was strained, higher pitched than normal. I wanted to pull her to me and soothe away whatever was eating her.

“Of course, this is special.”

“But you did the same thing with them.” She cleared her throat. “I thought⁠—”

Shrugging one shoulder, I tilted my head. “I like asking questions. I like hearing people talk. It’s the best way to get to know someone, and some of the stories I hear, well…” I tugged her hand closer. “I never knew guard donkeys existed until you said you wanted one. Guard donkeys. Who’da known?”