Chapter 6
CHAPTER 6
JORDAN
W e pull into a small gas station, and I get out to fill up the truck. The morning is quiet, but the sun is already warm. I look around and smile because this little place makes me remember going on road trips with my parents when I was little. A faded sign sits above the cashier’s booth, and an ancient soda machine stands next to the door for the garage.
The pump groans as I feed the nozzle into the truck, breaking the quiet of the late morning. Hanna stays in the passenger seat. I’m learning that she’s quiet in the mornings.
We had a moment last night, but she once again tensed, and nothing happened. I can’t force myself on her—I have to let her sort out her feelings.
The pump clicks when the tank is full, and I replace the nozzle. I pull my wallet out as I walk across the lot to the cashier.
“You two stopping on by for the festival?”
I look up at the older man sitting behind the counter, his hands lightly grasping the shoulder straps of his overalls.
“Festival?” I ask, putting a couple of twenties on the counter. “We’re just passing through.”
The man rings me up slowly, a slow smile spreading on his face. He looks out the window, and his smile broadens when he sees Hanna. “Oh, you two lovebirds have to stop by!”
I don’t say anything to correct the man. It seems unnecessary to explain anything to him.
“What’s the festival for?” I ask, pocketing my change.
“Well,” the man says, his eyes lighting up. “It’s the Prospect Hills Founder’s Day Festival. Some games, some pies, prizes to be won for pretty ladies.” He winks, nodding in Hanna’s direction. “I’ll be there with my wife later on. She insists on dancing at every festival. I can’t say no to her.”
I hesitate, then realize that a break wouldn’t be the worst thing. We damn sure need a little levity right now, and we’re not in a rush.
“Sure, why not? I’ll ask Hanna, but I don’t see why she wouldn’t say yes.” Turning to the man, I ask. “Which way do we go?”
I repeat and memorize the directions he gives me, then thank him for the tip.
When I pull out of the gas station and make a U-turn in the road, Hanna cocks her head and gives me a long look. “Where are we going?”
“I have a surprise for you.”
We wander through the booths, the string lights overhead bright even in the midday sun.
Hanna pauses at a ring toss, her smile turning mischievous as she points to a massive stuffed bear hanging at the top. “You think you can win me that?”
“Is that really a question?” I laugh, reaching for my wallet and handing the attendant a bill. “Easy.”
The first ring clinks against the edge of a bottle and bounces off. The second doesn’t even get that far. By the third, Hanna’s doubled over laughing, one hand braced on my arm.
“You’re terrible at this,” she says between giggles, her breath warm against my sleeve.
“It’s rigged,” I shoot back, glaring at the bottles like there’s a forcefield blocking my throws. “That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.”
She straightens, brushing a hand over her face as she tries to hide how much she’s laughing. “Sure it is. What happened to ‘easy,’ Jordan?”
I glance at her, the lights catching in her brown hair. She’s still smiling, her cheeks flushed, and the sound of her laughter lingers in the air. My name on her lips is now my favorite sound in the world. The only thing better would be her lips on mine, moaning as I made love to her.
“Think you could do better?”
“Sure can,” Hanna says confidently, still laughing. “What do I get if I win?”
I smile at her, thinking of all the things I’d love to give her. Breakfast in bed. Laying under the stars at night, snuggling under a blanket and watching shooting stars. Giving her so many orgasms that she wouldn’t walk properly for days. Calling her mine forever.
“What do you want?”
“To dance!” Hanna’s eyes sparkle, and the knowledge crashes over me anew. I’d do anything and everything to make this woman happy. I could never say no to her, just like the man at the gas station and his wife.
“Deal.”
“Gotta say, I didn’t see that coming.” I’m in awe at how smoothly Hanna played me and won the prize at the game stand. I put my hand lightly on her back as we make our way through the crowd. Even though I could spot her in a crowd, I want her to know I’m by her side.
“No excuses. I won fair and square,” she says, her eyes darting to me. “You’re dancing.”
“I don’t dance,” I protest, even as she tugs me toward the crowd.
“Then you’re learning.”
The music pulls us in next, a lively tune spilling from the band playing under a canopy of string lights. Couples are dancing, their movements easy and carefree, and I hesitate for a second before Hanna grabs my hand.
She pulls me close, and we start to move. It’s awkward at first—my boots feel clunky, and I’m too aware of every step. I haven’t danced in a long time. But then she laughs again, and her fingers tighten around mine, and suddenly, it doesn’t matter so long as Hanna is in my arms and enjoying herself.
The music slows, the rhythm shifting into something softer, and I rest a hand on her back, the curve of her waist fitting perfectly against my palm.
Her head tilts up, her breath brushing against my neck as she says, “You’re different tonight. Lighter, somehow.”
I glance down at her, my heart hammering. Her gaze meets mine, and the space between us feels magnetic.
“That’s because of you,” I say.
Her breath catches, and I swear her grip on my hand tightens. The way she’s looking at me—it’s like she’s daring me to close the distance. I hold her close to my chest, savoring the way her soft curves press gently against my body. Her heart races in her chest, and it makes me think I have a chance with her.
I want to kiss her so much, I’m blinded to everything else in the world.
The music swells around us, and the rest of the world falls away, leaving her in my arms and me hoping this moment could last for a million lifetimes. The band begins another slow song, and I thank them with every atom of my being for the chance to keep Hanna in my arms a little while longer.
I hesitate for a beat before sliding my hand to the small of Hanna’s back. My fingers splay across the curve, my palm warming at the contact.
She doesn’t pull away. Instead, she leans into me, her body matching my rhythm. Dancing with Hanna is natural, too easy, and it scares the hell out of me. She fits perfectly in my arms and against my body.
Her head tilts up, her eyes meeting mine. The flickering string lights above reflect in her eyes, but there’s something deeper there, something that makes my chest tighten.
“You’re a pretty decent dancer,” she teases, her lips quirking into a faint smile.
“Decent?” I arch a brow, letting my fingers press a fraction harder against her back.
She laughs softly, and the sound is enough to send heat rushing through me.
The soft sway of her body against mine is both a comfort and a torment. The curve of her hip brushes against my thigh, and every nerve in my body screams at me to pull her closer.
I lean down, my breath skimming her temple. “Am I doing okay now?”
Her lashes lower slightly, and she tilts her head just enough for her cheek to brush mine. “You might be getting the hang of it.”
The music fades, applause breaking around us, and she steps back, breaking the spell.
“You’re not half-bad, Jordan,” she says with a grin, her cheeks flushed. “You said you didn’t know how to dance.”
“No. I didn’t say I didn’t know how to dance, just that I don’t,” I say, pulling her into a turn. “There hasn’t been anyone I wanted to dance with in a very long time.”
Hanna’s blue eyes meet mine, and her pretty lips form an O. I like that I can surprise her.
The warm glow of the festival lights casts long shadows as we sit on a bench overlooking a baseball field. A food truck taco plate rests in my hands, but my focus isn’t on the food—it’s on her.
Hanna picks at her plate, a thoughtful look on her face. “It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this free,” she says softly, her voice carrying a mix of wonder and sadness.
I set my plate aside, leaning forward so I’m closer to her. “You deserve it, Hanna. More than anyone I know. It’s good to see you happy and enjoying yourself. I’m glad I could share this with you.”
She glances at me, her eyes searching mine. “Is it wrong for the sadness to fade and my life to move on? It’s weird to feel happy again.”
“Absolutely not,” I say emphatically, staring into her blue eyes. “Keenan wouldn’t want you to stop living. You think he’d want you to be sad forever? Hanna, no,” I say, softening my voice. “He’d want you to be happy again. I know he would.”
Her lips part slightly, and I wonder if she’ll say something. Instead, she ducks her head, her hair falling like a curtain around her face.
“You always know what to say, don’t you?” she says, fixing me with a long look. Her voice is almost shy, but the look in her eyes is more confident and curious than it’s been so far on this trip.
“Not always,” I admit. “Talking to you is easy.”
Hanna’s breath catches, and her eyes flick to my mouth before darting away. She doesn’t pull back. Instead, her fingers curl, brushing mine.
My heart kicks hard against my ribs.
“Thanks for tonight,” she whispers.
“We needed a break like this, didn’t we?”
Hanna nods. “That we did. This was a perfect detour. Thank you.”
“Always,” I say quickly. I’d give Hanna everything in the world if she’d let me.
She doesn’t move right away, and for a heartbeat, we stand too close, the air between us charged. She looks at my mouth, then back to my eyes, and every instinct I have screams at me to close the distance.
“You’re staring again,” she says, a slow smile tugging at her lips.
I ache to claim her lips, her body, and her heart. Everything in my soul wants to wrap her in my arms and never, ever let go.
“Can’t help it,” I admit, my voice low. It’s been so long since we spent time together that I can’t stop drinking in her beauty and presence.
Her cheeks flush, but she doesn’t look away.
What happens when I can no longer hold my feelings back?