CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Unannounced to me, our elusive date arrives on the following Saturday.
We’ve been driving for almost an hour and I still don’t know where Byron is taking me.
The unease I’ve been pretending doesn’t exist is getting harder to ignore.
It doesn’t help that he’s been quiet behind the wheel, giving my thoughts too much space to roam.
This is some sort of warped trust exercise I didn’t sign up for.
When Byron exits the freeway at an unfamiliar town, my knee begins to jiggle. It’s a heavily populated commercial area, which leads to countless destination options. My gaze scans from left to right without really seeing. I’m seconds away from slipping into a full-blown spiral.
“Are we almost there?”
Byron’s chuckle grates on my frazzled patience. “You’re worse than Ronnie.”
“I’ve never been on a date,” I whisper under my breath.
His palm lands on my jumpy thigh, giving me a gentle squeeze. “Honored to be your first. I hope this exceeds your expectations.”
My gaze narrows in on where he’s touching me like an anchored focal point. “I don’t like surprises.”
“You’ll like this one.” And then he pulls into a hotel parking lot.
But this isn’t just any hotel. It looks more like a mountain resort plopped in the middle of suburbia. With multiple buildings and a water park, this place is over the top. Even the name is pretentious.
My nerves evaporate while I let out a wolf whistle. “Grand View Highlands? Damn, stud. This place is ritzy. If you wanted to whisk me away for a fuck-fest, I would’ve settled for a Red Roof Inn.”
His chuckle tries to chastise me. “Gotta get a closer look before you jump to conclusions.”
“If you insist,” I murmur.
“But I won’t say no to renting a room if you’re interested,” he adds.
A snort rips from me. “I doubt they have hourly rates.”
“We can put the bed to use for a full night. You know I’m good for it.”
When I clench my legs, Byron throws me a smirk oozing with appropriate smugness.
He parks near the domed convention center, which does little to clue me in.
All that’s left to do is get out of the truck and begin the long hike to the entrance.
It takes iron-clad resistance to stop myself from peppering him with questions the entire way.
My stride falters as I catch sight of a banner displayed over the bank of double doors. “Is this…?”
He dips his head, understanding what I’m asking. “It’s a special weekend event.”
“You brought me to a guns and knives show?”
The heat of Byron’s smolder burns into me. “Figured you might find a new toy to taunt me with.”
I’m still gaping at the bold letters of the sign. There’s no chance of misinterpreting it. “This is… considerate.”
“Considerate? Wow.” He chuckles and rubs at the back of his neck. “Careful with the compliments.”
My huff pairs well with a scowl. “Give me a break. You sprung this on me.”
“And I’d do it again to catch that look on your face.”
“Nobody’s ever bothered to catch it before,” I mumble.
“What’s that?” There’s an edge of humor in his voice.
“Nothing!” I’m quick to blurt.
“I’ll shock your panties off at every available opportunity.” Byron threads my fingers through his, giving me an encouraging tug. “C’mon, menace. Let’s see what kind of trouble we can find.”
But my boots are rooted to the snowy pavement. I’m staring at our interlocked palms, unable to take my eyes off the connection. A rush of warmth spreads from the point of contact. That foreign thrill stuns me further.
“What’s happening?”
“We’re going into the event.” He gives me another yank.
“You’re holding my hand.” There’s a rightful note of horror in my tone.
“Is that a problem?”
“Why are you holding my hand?” It occurs to me that I haven’t pulled away, but that’s beside the point.
Byron releases me and I’m struck by a loss I don’t understand. “Was that too much for you? Guess I should’ve asked before doing it.”
“I dunno.” My gaze is fastened onto the empty space where his fingers fit snugly against mine. “It’s very… normal.”
There’s a sudden semi-sweet kindness in his chocolate-colored eyes. “You don’t like to be touched.”
“I don’t,” I confirm. That soft spot in his stare has me admitting more. “But I like it when you touch me.”
He stills, giving me a slow once-over that feels like hot wax dripping on my skin. “Are you warming up to me?”
My mouth drops. “Absolutely not.”
His lips curl into a devastating grin. “I think you are.”
“Well, you better think again,” I fire back.
Byron laughs, loud and carefree. The corners of his eyes crinkle as he allows the amusement to spread. Even his teeth seem to sparkle. Damn, he’s such a sexy man.
I grant myself permission to devour the visual, which unleashes a reckless heat in my lower belly. But rather than traveling south, the pooling desire rushes north. There’s a swooping sensation doing an acrobatic routine in my gut. It steals my breath for a minute.
“Something strange is going on,” I mutter and rest a palm flat over the attacked area.
A naughty gleam sparks in his gaze. “Am I giving you butterflies, menace?”
I snort. “Not a chance. Fuck butterflies and all that fluffy shit, remember?”
He rubs his bearded chin. “That was before we got to know each other. Now you’re swooning over me.”
“Get real. I don’t…” But that weird dip takes another nosedive in my stomach. “No way.”
Unharnessed joy brightens his expression until it’s nearly blinding. “I’m growing on you.”
“Like black mold.”
Byron shakes his head. “You’re glad we’re on a date.”
“I’m not.”
“You like me.”
“No, I don’t.”
“Yes, you do,” he croons. He’s clearly getting a kick out of this. “Some parts more than others, but the whole package is crushin’ on me.”
The traitorous swarm buzzes in my belly again. “I’ll admit to twat flutters. She’s easy to please.”
His unwavering stare isn’t letting me wriggle free. “Nah, it’s more than that. Your heart and mind want in on the fun.”
My pulse leaps in agreement. Thoughts of us in a committed relationship quickly follow. I don’t even know what that looks like. It’s all wonky and jagged, but there’s an image forming in the uncertainty.
“This isn’t supposed to happen to me. It’s unsettling,” I groan. “Ugh, make it stop. I feel sick.”
“Quit fighting it. You might enjoy the ride.” His dedication to my misery smacks me upside the head.
“Hold on a second.” I narrow my eyes on his pleased smile. “You like me.”
“Thought that was obvious.” When he bites his bottom lip, I almost whimper and suggest we ditch the confessions for something simpler.
But dammit, we’re expressing our feelings. I shouldn’t shy away from that. “Nobody has ever liked me before.”
“I find that hard to believe.” When I scowl, he grunts and fights a grin. “Yeah, okay. You can be a real pain in the ass.”
“Which is my standard setting. Why do you find that appealing?”
“I just do.”
“There has to be a reason. Humor me.” From my perspective, I haven’t done much that would leave a favorable impression.
Byron sighs and squints off into the distance. “That’s a bit more complicated to explain.”
Much like the conflicting emotions wreaking havoc on my sanity. “It doesn’t make sense. I’m jaded beyond redemption.”
“Trust me, you’re not.”
“I’ve got a mountain of issues.”
“Doesn’t bother me.”
My stomach somersaults, which spurs me onward. “I’m not a traditional girlie. You’re not going to trap me at home, barefoot and pregnant.”
He gives me a flat stare. “Do I look like the kind of guy who wants that?”
“Maybe.”
“Rest assured that I’m not. At least not in the way you’re thinking. I forced you to live with me for a different reason and that’s where you’re gonna stay.”
“But—”
“Frankie,” he rasps. “Quit trying to convince me you’re not worthy. It won’t stop me from liking you. If you need proof, just look down. I’m still wearing the boots you ruined, for crying out loud.”
Some of the fight leaves me, hunching my shoulders. “I just don’t get it.”
“You don’t have to.” He takes off his cowboy hat to drag a hand through his hair, releasing a long exhale.
After a brief moment, he puts himself back together into a picture of composure.
“I haven’t been with a woman since my wife died because I didn’t see the point.
I’m a simple man, but I’m very particular.
I didn’t believe someone who agreed to my limitations could also keep me satisfied existed.
Not to mention dealing with me set in my ways. But here you are.”
Oh, no. A familiar tightness clings to my throat when I swallow. My heart is beating too fast. There’s a hot sting blurring my vision. I bite the tremble in my lip before it reveals what’s impossible to deny.
But the truth is right there, blooming in the depths of my broken soul for him to nurture. He’s already blown me away orgasmically. I guess it’s only fair for him to destroy me in every other aspect.
“Fuck,” I grumble. “Fine, you can hold my hand.”
“That’s okay,” he chuckles. “We don’t need to do shit that makes you uncomfortable.”
I grind my molars and snatch his wrist, smashing our palms together. “If I didn’t want to, I wouldn’t offer.”
“All right then.”
“Glad that’s settled.” I clear the remaining dryness from my throat while ignoring the tingles between my fingers. “No more pussyfootin’ around. Let’s haul ass. I need a knife big enough to slice through your sex appeal.”
“There she is.” His smile is effortless and endearing and I can’t pull my gaze off him.
Byron doesn’t say anything else, just accepts my hand and leads me inside. We enter what has to be the largest ballroom in existence. My focus finally shifts off him to take it all in.
The space is split in two: guns and knives. Of course, I naturally gravitate toward the side that has the ladder. There’s a stand in the center aisle that’s practically gleaming at me. The vendor has a large variety of blades in every shape and size.
“Howdy, folks,” the older man drawls. “Lookin’ for something specific?”
My gaze scans the weapons on display. “Once I see it, I’ll know.”
He gives me a long look. “I’ve got just the thing to tickle your fancy.”
The guy bends to retrieve something out of sight. When he straightens, there’s a leather knife roll in his grip. In a practiced motion, he undoes the tie and opens it for my viewing pleasure. And what a sight it is to see.
My entire body convulses as the ten beauties wink at me. Each flawless, handmade blade is attached to an ivory handle that’s polished to a shine. I’ve heard tales of knives like these, but I never imagined seeing them in front of me. This collection must cost a fortune.
“Ohhhhh, that’s pretty.”
Byron balks beside me, roving his gaze over my twitching muscles. “Did you just have an orgasm?”
I roll my lips between my teeth to stifle a moan. “Mhmm, yep. Couldn’t control it if I tried.”
He glances at the vendor. “We’ll take two sets.”
“What?” I think my brain just exploded, and I’m not the only one.
The man’s overgrown eyebrows fling upward to meet his receding hairline. “This is the only one of its kind.”
My delulu date isn’t dissuaded. “Do you have anything else of a similar quality?”
The guy’s jowls jiggle as he nods frantically. “Yes, sir.”
“See this dazed expression?” Byron gestures to my blissed-out features. “I’ll buy whatever keeps it in place.”
As the vendor scrambles to gather his finest stock, I collect enough wits to gape at the man next to me. “You can’t spend that much on me.”
Byron smirks, bending to brush a feather-light kiss on my parted lips. “I’m gonna shock those panties off until there’s nothing left.”