20. Delilah #3
She pulled back and glanced around the dance floor. “I thought we weren’t going to go there?”
“I can’t help it.” My gaze drilled into hers. “I saw you dancing with that guy and I couldn’t think of a single reason why he should get to enjoy having you in his arms while I deprive myself of the very same thing.”
“Oh, Jasper.”
“Yeah, like that. I love it when you say my name just like that.”
She grinned. “I didn’t mean to say your name in a certain way. That’s just how it came out.”
“Look, Delilah. I don’t know what this is or where it’s going, but I can’t stop myself from wanting you.”
“Wanting me how, exactly?” Her eyes sparkled. I’d bet my best pair of boots that she knew exactly what I meant.
I dipped her low as the song came to an end. “I want you in every way possible.”
Her fingers gripped my biceps even though there was no chance I’d let go. “Is that an invitation?”
“Hell, I don’t know.” I set her upright, pulling her against my chest. “Call it what you want, but I call it the truth. I’ve wanted you since the first day I set eyes on you, Delilah Stone.”
“Well then.” She let her hands fall from my shoulders. “We probably ought to drop your sister at home so I can explore that truth a little.”
My belly burned with anticipation. We’d been flirting around the combustible attraction between us for the better part of the past two weeks. Would she regret giving in to it again?
She twined her fingers with mine and gave them a squeeze. “I need to say good-bye to Lacey before we go and see if I can locate my mother.”
“I’ll find Abby and meet you by the truck?”
“That sounds good.” She lifted her gaze and gave me a shy glance. “I’ll see you in a few minutes.”
Our fingers slid apart as she moved toward the edge of the crowd, where Lacey surveyed her domain. I scanned the interior of the tent, on the lookout for Abby. I needed to get her home before I let myself have too much time to think about what might happen with Delilah.
A half hour later Abby slid out of the small back seat. “Thanks for the ride, Jasper. That was so much fun.”
I nodded to my sister as Delilah handed her the extra piece of cake Jojo had boxed up. “Don’t forget this.”
“Think Mom will let me have cake for breakfast?” Abby asked.
“I say what Mom doesn’t know won’t hurt her.” I waited for Abby to make her way up the steps and disappear inside the house. It wasn’t quite eleven, pretty early to turn in on a Saturday night. “Do you want to take a drive?”
“Or we could watch a movie,” Delilah said.
Seemed neither one of us was brave enough to make reference to the heated moment we’d shared while dancing.
“A movie sounds good. Why don’t I drop you off, then run home and change?”
“That works.”
Before I could walk around to open her door for her, she met me at the steps of the camper. “You’ve got your key?”
“Right here.” She slid it into the lock.
“I’ll see you in a few.”
She nodded, disappearing inside.
I got back in the truck and drove the short distance to my place. As I slipped off my brother’s suit and hung it in the closet, I let my mind wander. Were we really going to go all in? Yes, we’d given in to the attraction before, but the stakes were higher now.
Buster followed me from room to room, not used to being left behind.
“Bud, this is a one-man job.” I ruffled the fur behind his ear and gave him a soup bone I’d been saving. “This ought to keep you busy for a while.”
As Buster settled on the living room floor with his bone, I slipped through the front door.
I tossed my keys from one hand to the next.
It would probably be best to leave my truck here and walk back up to the camper.
No reason to give anyone something to speculate about.
Based on the way Delilah and I had held each other close while we danced, anyone who’d seen us might already suspect there was a fair amount of heat between us.
But I wouldn’t compromise her reputation as the contest judge, so I set off on foot.
She opened the door to the camper in a pair of cropped yoga pants and a T-shirt. I preferred the flimsy nightie I’d seen her in before, but I wasn’t about to admit it. I’d take her however she was, as long as she would be mine.
“Come on in. I can make some popcorn if you want.”
“That’s okay. I’m not here for the popcorn.”
“What movie do you want to watch?” She picked up a remote and gestured to the tiny seating area that doubled as a kitchen.
“I’m not here for a movie, either.”
She sucked in a breath and scraped her teeth over her bottom lip. “Want a soda?”
I shook my head.
Her palms slid up my chest, her fingers clasping together behind my neck. “What is it you’re here for then?”
“I think you know.” Walking her back toward the bedroom area, I slipped my arms around her waist, my hands holding on to her hips. “You okay with this?”
Her nod against my chest gave me the final bit of encouragement I needed. As the backs of her legs reached the edge of the bed, I lowered her down. She didn’t let go of me but pulled me on top of her. For half a second, neither one of us moved. Then I tentatively touched my mouth to hers.