Chapter 23
Sophie
If you'd told me a month ago that I'd be having wild sexy times in the woods with Jo's brother, I might have believed you. Only because I was mature and self-aware enough to admit my attraction to Davis.
But had I even begun to imagine what he'd be like in bed? Or on a blanket in the woods? Nu-uh.
I prided myself on a healthy imagination, but even I couldn't have envisioned coming with such abandon under the stars. And returning the favor.
Who was I?
Maybe it was shock that kept me silent on the ride back to the house. I couldn't quite believe myself. Believe us.
I might need a second round, just to convince myself the chemistry between us was real.
Right. For science.
Only the thought of having to meet Jo's eyes over the breakfast table after a night defiling her brother helped cool me down.
The downside of being loud in bed? There was no such thing as discreet.
If I had a good time, everyone in the house would know about it.
Possibly even the kittens in the barn next door would get the memo.
While I wasn't ashamed of wanting Davis, I doubted he wanted me announcing myself to the world.
"So, do you want to come over?" I asked, weighing my options.
It was late, but not so late that I wanted to let him go.
"Not tonight," Davis said. "I wish I could, but I have an early morning."
Hurt gripped me, tugging and twisting at my insides until I second-guessed our whole evening. Davis had seemed happy enough when I had my mouth wrapped around him, but it had to be the oldest brush-off in the book, the early start.
"Sure, okay, then. I'll see you around, Davis."
I waved, holding back my wince over the awkwardness of it all, spinning on my heel and striding for my car. Getting out of his sight, where I could lick my wounds and relive the evening, looking for whatever signs I'd missed, had become my priority. Escaping the scene of my humiliation.
"Wait!"
Davis's palm landed heavily on my shoulder. Not enough to hurt, not enough to spin me around, but enough to stop my head-long flight toward my car. I sighed, turning to face him. Davis’s brow was wrinkled, consternation in the twist of his mouth.
"I really do have an early morning. Carlos and I are starting at five on some equipment maintenance. Can I take you out to dinner tomorrow night instead? I don't want to let you leave without knowing when I'm going to see you next."
Sincerity shone in his blue gaze, and I relaxed.
I'd let old insecurities creep in, when I should have remembered this was Davis.
Honest to a fault. He wouldn't bother to lie to get out of seeing me; he'd only tell me we were through.
I shivered, hating that my immediate reaction to the thought of not seeing him, being with him again was fear.
It had been foolish to think I could mess around with Davis and not get addicted. One bite of the apple, and I was a goner. If he hadn't held me in the palm of his hand before, he sure as heck did now.
I stretched up on my tippy-toes, wrapping my hands around the nape of his neck. His eyes darkened, and he swooped down for a kiss, at once soft and searching.
"Davis, what am I going to do with you?" I asked when we broke apart, breathing hard.
"Recognize that when shit hits the fan, I want to be your soft place to land?" he said huskily.
My heart shuddered to a stop before thundering ahead. Denial snaked through me. It was too much, too soon. I wasn't ready to follow that offer where it led. Five seconds ago, I was questioning if he wanted to see me again and castigating myself for misreading him. Trust took time.
"What if I'm not ready to fly again so soon?" I asked, vulnerability creeping in.
"There's no rush," he soothed. "But if you need a co-pilot, I'm game."
I leaned back, shocked and not sure we were talking metaphorically anymore.
"You mean you'd go up in Bee-gonia with me?" I asked.
He nodded. "Sure, whatever makes you feel safe."
Touched, I couldn't speak for a moment. Maybe trusting Davis wouldn't be so hard after all. Every time I thought he'd pull away, pull back, he doubled down and offered more. No mind games, no bull.
"Has anyone ever told you you're too good for this world, Davis Pruitt?"
"Bee, I think you've got that backwards. In this scenario, I promise, I'm the devil you know. I'm far from perfect."
"Yeah? Convince me."
"Give it five minutes; I'm sure I'll screw up."
"What happens if I forgive you?"
"That, honey, is what I'm banking on." He squeezed me tight, the full body hug more reassuring than I could possibly tell him.
"Now, get. I'm already going to suffer tonight, dreaming of you. Let me get what half-assed sleep I can manage before Carlos drags me out into the fields."
"You charmer, you," I crooned, grinning when he shrugged.
"Told ‘ya I wasn't perfect."
"Somehow, I find that strangely reassuring," I murmured, reluctantly pulling away.
He opened my car door, holding it while I slid inside. In the glow from my interior light, he looked adorably tousled. Wrecked.
Pride filled me. I'd done that. Davis was a mess. Because of me.
"What?" he asked, sensing my examination. "Did I forget to button my fly or something?"
"Nah, you just look like tomorrow’s sore throat. You’re gonna make me lose my voice, aren’t you, Davis?"
Chuckling, he shook his head slowly before closing my door. "Naughty girl, I’ll give it my best,” he promised. “Drive safe."
His final words stayed with me long after I'd driven away from the Pruitt Farm, Davis in my rearview mirror.
I'd trusted Davis with my body, but was I ready to trust him with my heart? My head urged caution, but my gut whispered that I might never find another man who touched me like he did.
My bed felt empty as I crawled beneath the covers, but I still went to sleep with a smile on my face.
I had another night with Davis to look forward to.
Which reminded me, I needed to stock up on condoms, stat.
Exploring the chemistry between us meant practicing safe science.
I giggled, contemplating what other lab equipment we might want or need.
Honey would be awfully sticky, but fun. He made me want to try new things, figure out how to bring out that rough and tumble side to him.
He always called me his Bee. Maybe it was time to live up to that moniker, show him how sweet life together would be?
***
Wednesday after work, I made good on my promise to stock up on protection, swinging by the store on my way home.
Davis had texted that he'd pick me up at six, leaving me a couple of hours to take care of errands and get ready.
Having condoms on hand had risen to the top of my priority list after last night.
While we'd proven that different degrees of intimacy could be amazing, I wanted options.
The grocery store's lot was almost empty.
Only a few cars were parked in front, and none I recognized.
I crossed my fingers, hoping to escape without running into any witnesses.
As much as I wanted to tell myself I was setting a positive example, buying protection, that didn't mean I wanted to entertain any awkward questions if I ran into one of my students.
Second grade was a bit young for detailed sex ed.
I made it home in time to slip out of my school clothes and into something that felt more me. Jeans and a top in a cheerful shade of blue.
Davis: Running late. Be there in 30.
It wasn't the best news, but at least we'd still get to eat at a reasonable hour. And I'd get to see Davis.
Butterflies took flight in my tummy, scrambling my emotions in a mix of anticipation and nerves. I had nothing to be afraid of. Not with Davis.
I sprang for the door when he knocked, eager to see him.
"Hey, beautiful."
From another man, it might have been a tossed-out compliment, more manipulative than sincere, but the way Davis's eyes ate me up, taking a leisurely tour from the top of my head, past the valley between my breasts and down to my ankles, I had faith that he meant it.
"Hiya, handsome."
Also not a lie. Davis was freshly showered, his dark hair slicked back and free of a hat for once. He'd put on a plaid shirt that he'd buttoned and tucked into jeans that clung to his hips. He looked tasty enough to eat, and I debated tugging him inside instead of following him to his truck.
"Ready?" he asked, the question hanging in the air as I debated my options.
The fresh box of condoms was burning a hole in my nightstand. But he'd put so much effort into getting ready for our date, I couldn't derail his plans.
"Ready," I said, locking up and following him out to the parking lot.
Dining options in Campfire were pretty limited, mostly Izzy's pizza restaurant, A Slice of Heaven; our local bar, Sing-along; and the morning coffee spot. Davis surprised me by driving past them all and out into the countryside.
"Where are we headed?" I asked.
"You'll see."
We'd already turned away from the Pruitt Farm, and the steady drizzle made eating outdoors unappealing and unlikely. Plus, I hadn't spotted a cooler or takeout bags.
I smiled when he turned off Old Country Road and into the Gentle Flight Winery parking lot.
At this hour, their tasting room was closed, but Davis didn't seem worried.
He drove around the small cabin that housed wine tastings and parked in front of one of the guest cottages.
Gentle Flight had started hosting weddings, and the guest cottages were usually booked by wedding parties from May through September.
However, on a Wednesday in March, the luxury cottages with glass walls overlooking the vines were empty.