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His eyes leave mine, and suddenly his boots are the most interesting thing on the planet. He kicks the dirt softly, and my heart beats so loudly I’m sure he can hear it. “What if I was?”
Holy smokes. Did it just get really hot in here rapidly?
“Asking me out?” I squeak.
His eyes lift. “Would that be so horrible?”
When I realize he’s not kidding, my lips part, but no sound comes out.
“Tilly—” he starts.
“There you are,” Emerald hollers. “Dustin, your keys aren’t under the mat—oh, hey, Jade.”
“Hi.” I wave. “How are you doing?”
Emerald cleans the clubhouse as well as some of the rooms and Dustin’s place from time to time. I know from being there once, when we had drinks with Sapphire and Ruby, that he keeps his cabin neat and tidy, so I suspect he’s only paying her because times are tough and she needs the cash. She’s old enough to be his mom, so I’m not jealous in any way. Then again, some guys are into older women…
He just asked you out, moron!
“I’m doing just fine, sweetie.” She beams. “You had a good ride?”
I nod.
“The sunrise was amazing,” Dustin says.
“I did a ride out to the ridge,” I explain as if we’ve been caught hanky-pankying. “Puddles needed to stretch her legs.”
Dustin fishes around in his jeans pocket and drops his key into Emerald’s palm. “Only if you have time, Em. I’m okay if you’re too busy.”
She waves him off. “If all my clients were like you, I’d be one happy woman.” Emerald also cleans for some of the Airbnbs around town, too. “You kids have fun now.”
She takes her leave as I wave goodbye, and Dustin turns to me.
“Sorry about that.”
“Don’t be, she’s a nice lady.”
“I meant about puttin’ you on the spot.”
I feel the blush rise on my cheeks. This man makes me crazy like nobody ever has, and is it only me, or have I just noticed his intoxicating, musky scent? His proximity is doing things to my insides. I’ve imagined what it would be like to be with him.
Would he be gentle, or does he like it rough? How does he kiss? Does he use his mouth to do the talking when it comes to oral? Does he even do oral?
“Oh,” I reply, biting on the inside of my cheek. It’s also a bad habit I have, and sometimes it bleeds, but it stops the onset of a panic attack. “Don’t be sorry. I’d love to go with you, if that’s what you meant?” Jesus, I’m so bad at this. I haven’t had a boyfriend since high school, and even then, dating wasn’t anything to write home about.
“I’ll protect you from Old Man Curruthers. I think he likes you.” Dustin chuckles.
I screw up my nose. “He uses a walker!” I shove him in the shoulder and he laughs harder.
I have so many questions, but nothing comes out of my mouth.
Is this a real date? Or is he just feeling sorry for me because on more than one occasion he has walked in on me complaining to the girls about the lack of men in this town and how dating is really hard in the modern world. Men expect you to Cash App them for your coffee if they don’t get sex on the first date. What kind of world are we living in?
“So what? You gotta watch those old guys; they can get handsy.”
“That is so gross,” I say, but my smile only widens.
It’s happening. It’s finally happening!
