Chapter 37
Dani nods, and I shouldn’t want my VC partner to be eating losses and making bad investments yet hearing that Adam does make mistakes brings me more joy than it should.
Three million dollars to Harris Ventures is a rounding error, though.
But I’m not going to minimize her experience.
There’s no question getting cheated by someone she was working closely with was anything but ideal.
The more I learn about Dani, the more I think she and I could be something greater than this casual moment we’re enjoying.
“What do you want for lunch?” I ask, staring at the amazing woman across from me. “There are a bunch of food trucks further down.”
“I’m not picky.”
“How about I grab us some food while you save us two spots by the fire,” I suggest. Dani is cold without a jacket. I can tell and hope the fire will warm her up. She nods, and I clear our glasses, walking down the main aisle of the beer festival.
Dani doesn’t like spicy food. I learned that from dinner at Kurt’s. Mexican seems like the right idea for lunch. A mixed bag of tacos is perfect for eating by the fire pit.
On my way back, I pass local vendors selling handmade goods, and a stack of fur blankets catches my eye.
“Is this real fur?” I ask the vendor, running my hand along the soft throw blanket.
“Beaver. Trapped and tanned it myself,” he says. “Perfect for indoor and outdoor use. The pelt and hair are very durable.”
It’s over the top, but I don’t want Dani to be cold any longer, even if she won’t admit it. “I’ll take it.”
As I head back, I stop at a hot chocolate stand and order two cups with Bailey’s added in, perfect for warming her up. She gives me her perfect smile as I approach with all of the provisions.
“Did you buy enough stuff?”
“That sass,” I say, smirking. “For you.” I hand her the blanket and a hot chocolate.
“Oh my God!” She laughs, petting the blanket. “This is so soft!”
“Now you won’t be cold.”
Flashing me a feisty look, she relaxes and tucks the blanket around her.
“For nourishment.” I hand her the Styrofoam container, and she fingers through the assortment of tacos before taking a chicken one and an al pastor. “Take another one, you will need your energy for later.”
Her sexy smirk says it all. It’s a little after one in the afternoon. We’re not going to last here much longer. Once I let myself start thinking about tonight, I’m going to pull her away and back to the hotel.
“I feel like I’m living my snow princess dreams in this blanket,” Dani says, relaxed and looking at the fire.
Sipping on the hot chocolate, I take her in. I’m falling. There’s no question. She’s the first person since my ex that has made me feel alive.
“Where do you stand on real fur?” I ask, forcing myself to stop daydreaming about what could be.
“In general, I have no issues with it. It’s natural and sustainable. Of course, I would want the animals to be ethically processed.” She pauses, taking a bite of her taco. “I don’t support endangered animals being hunted,” she says while chewing. “Beavers are invasive, so they can die any day.”
“Any day?” I nearly choke on my hot chocolate. “Seems harsh.”
“Have you ever seen one of those nasty animals?”
“No. Have you?”
“A couple of times when they were trapped. Gross-looking and bigger than you would think.”
“Your family … Are they hunters?”
“No. I’m a small-town girl, but not that kind of small town. But I’ve shot a gun before.”
She’s shot a gun? It’s one of those cultural things I may never understand … I shake my head. “I don’t get why guns are such a thing here.”
“In America?”
“Yeah … especially casual gun use that has nothing to do with hunting or truly protecting something. Everyone is trained how to use guns in Israel, you know? But we have such a different viewpoint on the topic.” I take a sip of my drink and then decide to share.
“That’s one of the main reasons why my parents wanted to leave Israel.
They didn’t like the idea of my brother and me joining the IDF. ”
“IDF?”
“Israel Defense Forces.” I can tell Dani wants to ask follow-up questions but is holding back, and I’m grateful, not wanting to get into why my parents and I don’t have a relationship anymore.
We silently stare at the fire for a few minutes.
She sets her empty cup on the ground and snuggles into the blanket.
Admiring her long brown hair, big hazel eyes, and amazing bone structure, my mind can’t help but think about what’s next for us.
Me tossing her around, leaving my marks on her, claiming her …
I push away thoughts about how I’m avoiding further conversation about my family by leaning into a vice like a beautiful woman I need to have.
“It is tomorrow?” I ask, leaning toward her.
“It is.” She smirks and leans into me.
“I want to fuck you.”
“Now?” she asks, practically leaping from her chair.
“Now.”
She grabs the blanket, throws it over her shoulder, and takes my hand, setting a brisk pace back toward the hotel. “You are such a horny little thing,” I tease, trying to keep up.
She looks up, batting her lashes at me. “Whose fault is that?”
I lean down, giving her a light smack on her ass. “Such a brat.”