Chapter 6 #2
Her heart warred with her brain. This was a bad idea. A very bad idea.
But Lyle Watkins had never been an easy man to say no to.
With a sigh, she placed her hand in his. His fingers curled around hers instantly, warm and steady as he led her toward the small open area some of the couples had already drifted onto.
The moment he pulled her close, Heather knew she was in trouble.
He smelled like leather, cedar, and something distinctly him. One hand rested at her lower back, fingers barely pressing through the fabric of her dress, while the other clasped hers gently, moving her effortlessly in time with the music. “You look good tonight, Firefly. I like the dress.”
“Um, thanks.” The empire waist, light cotton dress was a sunny yellow that complimented her dark hair.
It hit several inches above her knees, the thin material not creating the least bit of barrier between their bodies as he pressed her close.
She missed a step and the toe of her cowboy boot collided with his.
“You tense up any more, and I’m gonna have to remind your feet how to work,” he teased.
She forced herself to loosen, if only a little. “I don’t know why you’re surprised. I don’t exactly make a habit of slow dancing.”
“Well, you should.” His voice was lower now, his drawl curling around the words. “You’re awfully good at it.”
She huffed a dry laugh. “There you go again.”
“What?”
“Saying things that make me forget to be cautious.”
Lyle turned his head slightly, so his breath brushed over her temple. “Maybe you don’t need to be cautious with me, Heather.”
The song carried on, gentle and slow, winding through the diner like a southern lullaby.
She didn’t know how long they swayed, only that Lyle’s hand never left the small of her back, his touch never pressed too much, his presence never overwhelmed.
He just was.
And for the first time in a long time, Heather wondered if just maybe, she wasn’t destined to stand on the sidelines anymore.
Maybe she was meant to step into something far more dangerous. Something that felt an awful lot like falling.
Charlotte was asleep in the back seat of the truck when they arrived back at Heather's cabin.
"I had a good time," Heather said, feeling the silence surround her as he shut off the engine.
Nerves crowded in as he just sat there, watching her.
"And clearly, Charlotte enjoyed herself.
" She glanced back where the little girl slept, clutching a floppy eared stuffed rabbit that one of the little girls had insisted she take home.
"Yes. I need to get her back to church where her friends are. That really hit home with me tonight, seeing her excitement over being with the other little girls."
"So, you haven't been back since your parent's accident?"
He shook his head.
"What about your brothers?"
"No. My cousin, Jeremy has taken over as pastor. We're close, but I just can't imagine walking into that sanctuary and not seeing Dad up front preaching or at the door to greet everyone."
She reached over and slipped her palm into his, curling her fingers around his large hand and squeezing. "Want to make that another family date?"
He slid his free hand along her cheek and into her hair, drawing her across the center console of the truck.
She didn't know why she didn't resist, didn't know why she was suggesting another date.
The air stilled around them as their breath's mingled.
Slowly, oh so slowly, he lowered his head and touched his lips to hers.
Desire shot through her like a bolt of lightning and she nearly jerked back. His hand held her head, held her to him, his lips gentle and sensual and better than anything she could have ever dreamed of over the years. And oh, she had dreamed of this. So many times.
He drew back slowly and it was a moment before Heather came to her senses. She cleared her throat, shifted back to her side of the truck and reached for the door handle. "I better get inside. Make sure the dogs haven't torn the place apart."
"I imagine they're too well-behaved to do such a thing."
Yes, she thought. Too bad she wasn't as well behaved. What had possessed her to let him kiss her. Now that she'd tasted him, she'd be lucky to get anything done for thinking about him. Lord! "Thanks for tonight."
He grinned. "You're welcome." He opened his door and the overhead light came on.
"What are you doing?"
"Walking you to your door."
"That's not necessary, Lyle. It's just a few feet."
"My mama raised me to be a gentleman."
Before she could object further, he was around the hood and opening her door. She took his hand and let him help her down from the truck, walked with him to the porch.
He pulled her to a stop just outside her front door. "So, are you serious about holding my hand through a church service?"
"Of course."
"Then Charlotte and I will swing by and pick you up on Sunday." He brushed his lips against her temple, so softly, so quickly she didn't have time to object, then jogged back to the truck.
Lord have mercy. Sleep was not going to come easy tonight.