Chapter 17
DANIEL
A lthough I was excited to be escorting Prairie to the afternoon skating party the day after Christmas, it felt that something was off with us. Now that all the roads had been plowed, she agreed to come to the casual event as long as I promised that she didn’t have to skate.
Holding her hand tightly in mine as we circulated, I introduced her to people while trying not to use the word girlfriend. I could see that it still made her nervous, but couldn’t figure out why. Maybe it was my fault. Perhaps my overanalyzing her every reaction was in itself making her jumpy.
When her parents arrived just half an hour after we did, they apologized profusely for not inviting me in for dessert the day before, even though I was the one who should be apologizing for having just dropped in.
I had to wonder if Prairie was receiving pressure from them to behave a certain way. Strict parents and weird family members could really do a number on people.
As we walked around the rink watching the skaters for a moment, I asked, “Is now a good time to steal you away for a kiss?”
I loved the way she blushed faintly. It was so innocent. Demure. Just like her.
“Maybe just for a minute.” Her eyes darted around the room. “I don’t want people getting ideas about us.”
We went out the back door to a small alcove that was sheltered from the breeze. Snuggling Prairie against my chest, I simply held her for a moment.
“For the record, I like that people might be getting ideas about us,” I said. “Does it make me a possessive jerk to want the entire world to know that you’re my girl?”
“Not a jerk, no. It’s just…” She hesitated, and I couldn’t stand the tension I saw in her eyes.
Leaning down, I kissed her gently. “Prairie, baby, you can tell me anything. Absolutely anything. I’m so sorry if we’re going to fast for you. We can slow down.”
“It’s not that,” she said, shaking her head. “Maybe I’m just nervous because somebody said the photos from the Christmas Eve Eve Ball are being posted online soon.”
“Isn’t that a good thing? You looked amazing and you know it.”
Thinking back, we had only posed for a few photos as a couple, and one group shot with my family. But there were likely a lot of candid shots of us dancing. Nothing inappropriate or unflattering that I could possibly think of. I didn’t understand the problem.
“I guess it just makes everything very official,” she said. “Which means the town will be analyzing me.”
“Not in a bad way, I swear.”
My hand slipped under her jacket to caress her hips, and run around her back. “Baby, if we weren’t in public right now…”
“You’d what?” she asked, batting her lashes at me. “I dare you to say it.”
I knew that she was teasing, but I couldn’t resist. Picking her up, I placed her back against the wall, wrapping her legs around me as I pressed us together.
Nibbling at the side of her neck, I rasped, “I would tear off these evil clothes that are preventing me from seeing all of you. Then I would dig my tongue into your hot little pussy until you came on my mouth and screamed my name over and over.”
“Daniel!” she squealed in surprise.
“Yeah. Just like that.”
Her head tipped back against the wall as she laughed. “You’re crazy. Or maybe you’ve been huffing varnish and wood glue for years.”
“I’m crazy for you, Prairie,” I said, looking deep into her eyes before kissing her slowly and deeply.
She relaxed against me, her fingers gripping the back of my neck as I heard a soft moan.
“I want you so badly it hurts,” I groaned. “I don’t say that as often as I want to because I don’t want to rush anything along. But honestly, I need you to know that I’m starving for you, baby.”
Her eyes closed as she shook her head. “You’re unbelievable.”
Kissing her again, our lust took over, bonding us together as we lost ourselves in each other. God, the way this woman kissed was intoxicating.
Then Prairie whispered against my lips, “We’ve been gone too long. We should get back inside.”
“Anything you wish, my goddess,” I murmured. Setting her back down on her feet, I took her hand and kissed the back of it. “Your wish will always be my command, my gorgeous girl.”
Her smile was far more genuine, and her step lighter as we went back inside. Hopefully I’d reassured her that us becoming a couple was a wonderful thing.
It was definitely the best thing that ever happened to me.