Chapter 10 #2
“Positive.” He chuckles, propping his arm on the tailgate. “Never had the full drive-in experience, I take it?”
“I don’t think so?” I say, sounding unsure even to my own ears.
Normally, the girls and I cram into Briar’s Jeep with blankets and snacks. I’ve never experienced a setup like this—it looks like the movie-night version of luxury.
Walker lets out a low tut of disapproval. “I’m disappointed my sister never made sure you did it right. I thought I taught her better.”
I rock back on my heels, smirking. “So are you going to show me, or just keep talking about it?”
He stands to his full height, tucking his hands into his pockets. “Step one: Secure the snacks.” He motions toward a small trailer serving as the concession stand.
My stomach chooses that exact moment to remind me I skipped lunch. I was too nervous about our meetup, which somehow turned into a date, one that I’m relieved to discover includes food.
“Yup. We definitely need snacks first. I can’t risk having a hangry Birdie on my hands.”
I nudge his shoulder. “Oh, come on. I’m not that bad.”
“I’m still recovering from the Prickly Pear Fiasco of last spring,” he says, shivering dramatically.
He’s totally exaggerating… or at least that’s what I tell myself.
A few of us had stopped in for food on the way to the rodeo, but they were out of veggie burgers, and the side salad I ordered did little to curb my hunger.
By the time we reached the bull-riding portion at the rodeo, I was starving, cranky, and may have snapped at a man behind us who joked that bulls are dumb and can’t feel pain like humans.
Walker had to physically restrain me before I could grab the idiot and shake some sense into him. Once I settled down, he walked twenty minutes to the nearest gas station and came back with a smoothie, a cheese stick, and a granola bar to tide me over until I got home.
Come to think of it, he’s rescued me countless times, and I’m only now realizing how much of a presence he’s been in my life the past few years.
“If you’re so worried about my hangry side taking over, lead the way to the snacks,” I say, nodding toward the concession trailer.
“I thought you’d never ask.”
My mouth falls open when he threads his fingers through mine as we cross the lot. A thrill races through me like tiny sparks of electricity, sending a delicious heat blooming in my chest.
Several other moviegoers glance our way, but Walker appears completely at ease, letting our proximity speak for itself.
If he hadn’t admitted he’d never dated before, I might feel jealous that other women got to see this side of him.
In all honesty, it’s nice knowing this is new territory for him too.
Don’t forget, Birdie—this is just pretend.
The reminder is sharp and sobering, but I won’t let it ruin our evening.
For all intents and purposes, this has to look real to anyone watching, so I’m going to enjoy being on the arm of the hottest cowboy in the county instead of dwelling on the truth.
This facade comes with an expiration date, and there will be plenty of time to face that harsh reality later.
As we move forward in line, Walker glances down at my feet. “Your shoelace is untied. Let me get that for you.”
I’m stunned when he drops to his knees in front of me, gathering the loose strings and carefully tying them into a bow, finishing with a double knot.
I could get used to seeing him on his knees for me.
Sweet Mercy. Get a grip, Birdie.
It’s hard not to swoon when this feels like a scene from a romance novel where the hero’s smallest act of thoughtfulness outshines any grand gesture.
Walker gazes up at me, smirking. “You’re comparing me to a hero from a romance book, huh? Do you think I’d be the brooding, protective type or the hopelessly devoted golden retriever?” I’m pinned in place as he rises to his full height.
Oh, fudge—I did that thing where I talk to myself out loud again, and I can’t even blame a hangover this time. Thank goodness I didn’t say the part out loud about him being on his knees.
He raises a brow. “What’s that about me being on my knees?”
“Nothing,” I reply, my voice higher than I intended. I really need to stop thinking out loud. “Wait… how do you know terms like brooding and golden retriever? Do you secretly read romance novels as a hobby or something?”
“Or something,” he answers cryptically. “What I can tell you is that our first kiss will be far swoonier than any from a storybook.”
The world around us fades, and my focus narrows to the delicious mix of longing and desire coiling low in my belly.
I rise on my toes, tipping my head so our lips are only inches apart. “I’m all ears, Deputy. Why don’t you walk me through what it would be like.”
He swallows hard, eyes flickering to my mouth.
“I’d start slow and sweet, teasing the corners of your lips and giving you a taste but not fully claiming them right away.
” His other hand slides to the small of my back.
“Drawing it out heightens every sensation, making the eventual kiss even more electrifying when it finally comes.”
I let the silence stretch between us, waiting until the group ahead of us reaches the counter to order before responding.
“Does the same concept apply to foreplay and sex?” I murmur, my voice sultry.
Normally, I’d stumble over such an intimate question, but Walker’s speech about not being afraid to take up space gives me the courage to be bolder and more playful.
“You ever heard of edging?” Walker’s voice is so low I have to move in closer, our mouths nearly touching.
I shake my head. “No.”
“It means bringing you to the brink of climax repeatedly, stretching the anticipation until you’re trembling and begging for release.
” His warm breath brushes against my upper lip as he speaks.
“And when you’re finally given permission to let go, the pleasure will be beyond anything you’ve ever experienced. ”
I have a sinking suspicion he’s spot-on, and the handful of times I’ve been close to bringing myself to orgasm pale in comparison to what he’s describing.
I’m clinging to his every word—suspended between restraint and surrender.
Every nerve ending is alive at the thought of him holding my pleasure in his hands, controlling every touch, every tease.
Our gazes remain locked, and neither of us has moved, teetering on the edge of a scorching-hot kiss that, unfortunately, never comes.
Walker and I both startle when the concession worker shouts, “Next.”
We step apart, and I notice we’re the last ones left in line.
“You lovebirds planning to order, or are you too busy giving each other googly eyes?” he drawls, amusement edging his tone.
“We’re experts at multitasking.” Walker moves to the window and rests his elbow on the steel counter to get a better view of the menu. “We’ll take an order of nachos and cheese, a soft pretzel, a side of fries, two bottled waters, and a bucket of popcorn. Toss in some mustard packets, will you?”
Normally, I’d bristle if a man ordered for me, but with Walker, it’s kind of hot watching him take charge—especially when he chooses exactly what I would have, right down to adding mustard to dip my fries in.
We’ve spent plenty of time together over the years, but I never expected him to notice such minute details like that.
The cashier jots down our selections on a small notepad. “Wanna add any candy to your order?”
“No thanks,” Walker says, turning toward me. “Unless you want something. I know you love licorice, but they only have Twizzlers. Don’t worry, though—I stopped by the grocery store earlier and grabbed Red Vines since they’re your favorite.”
“You remember my favorite candy?”
At this rate, I’m in real danger of melting into a puddle from all of his thoughtfulness.
“How could I forget? Last summer, I was buying my mom a hummingbird feeder, and when I got to the register, I found you doing a happy dance because they’d started stocking Red Vines.”
“I could never resist the opportunity to celebrate my favorite candy,” I answer with a wistful smile.
I remember that day vividly. My mama had taken a nasty fall the night before, leaving my dad and me shaken.
Thankfully, she didn’t break anything, but I was distracted at work.
As ridiculous as it sounds, spotting our favorite candy on the shelf made me happy, reminding me that I’d still get to see her after my shift—and that she’d be as okay as possible given the circumstances.
What truly made that day so special was Walker buying me a pack, claiming he’d never seen anyone as passionate about anything as I was about Red Vines, and he wanted me to enjoy them.
His sweet gesture was a bright spot in an otherwise rough week, and I’ve always wished I could thank him properly for turning an ordinary candy into a memory I got to share with my mama—one I’ll never forget.
“That’ll be twenty-seven dollars and fifty-two cents,” the cashier says, pulling me out of my memories.
“I’ll cover this one, since you got the tickets,” I tell Walker, rifling through my tote for my wallet.
I pause and look up when he rests his hand over mine. “Not a chance, sweetheart. Always let the guy pay. If he ever suggests going Dutch or asks you to pick up the tab, run.”
“Preach,” the cashier chimes in, sounding as invested in our conversation as I am.
Walker takes out his wallet and hands the cashier a fifty-dollar bill.
“Keep the change, kid.”
He blinks. “Seriously?”
“Consider it a thank-you for helping me teach my girl that a gentleman always pays,” Walker says.
“Shame you’re not a gentleman,” I whisper so only he can hear.
“Definitely won’t be one when our next lesson starts.” He winks.
He slips his hand back into mine as we move aside to wait for our order, leaving me buzzing with anticipation for whatever lesson comes next.