“You think I’m worth all that?” she asked, and she looked so emotional—so needy, sexy, beautiful, and all woman.
“Honey, there is no question there. I’m the one who fears I’m not good enough for you. That I’m too old, too experienced in life’s negatives, and the danger I’ve surrounded myself with for so long.” She shook her head.
“I like that you’re older and more experienced. You have this commanding way about you. Your brothers do, too.”
“We’re used to being in charge. In shooting from the hip and speaking our minds.” She smiled.
“Kind of like right now?” she asked.
He licked his lips and she stared at them, looking so serious. “You like me shooting from the hip, darling?” he asked and continued to stroke her jaw and inch closer.
“I like your honesty.”
“How about my touch, and being this close?”
“It makes me nervous.”
“Scared?”
“No.” He pressed his lips to hers gently. As much as he wanted to deepen the kiss and pull her into his arms and make out with her, he knew she needed slow. They were making progress.
He eased back and she followed, gripped his shirt, and looked at him, eyes slowly opening, lips wet and parted.
“Goddamn, woman, I’m trying to go slow.”
She licked her lips and shyly looked away. He eased back on the bench and kept her close, then took her hand and placed it onto his lap.
“So, what does the rest of your day look like? Any plans?”
They heard the sirens and then saw the people walking closer to the roadway. As the fire engines sirens echoed around the town, the trailer behind them came into sight.
“What’s going on?” she asked and leaned down to check on Benny. He was awake and she turned the stroller around so he could see.
“Looks like they’re celebrating one of the youth sports programs. They do this every so often when a team or teams win a championship.”
“Really? That is so cool,” she said as the sirens got louder and all the kids in green and black uniforms stood on the back of a trailer as people waved and cheered.
“Looks like the soccer team this time,” he said and smiled at her.
They watched them pass by and Evonna stood up and then gave a wave as the boys in the back waved back. After they passed, he placed his hands on her hips and turned her toward him, her body between his legs. She placed her hands on his shoulders, that feminine touch of hers burning through his skin and arousing him.
“Would you like to meet my brothers and me for dinner tonight?”
“I have Benny.”
“The restaurant in town is family friendly. We want to spend time with both of you.”
“Is this some sort of way to ensure people around town think that you and your brothers could have a chance with me?” she asked. He eased his hands along her ass and squeezed. She gasped and gripped his shoulders, then looked around to be sure no one saw, but then he eased them up and gave her hips a shake.
“Do we have a chance with you, Evonna?” he asked. She worried her bottom lip.
“Didn’t we just talk about taking our time and going slow?”
“I’ll take it as a maybe. We’ll pick you up at six.”
She stared at him.
“Seal it with a kiss?” he pushed. He didn’t know where this light-hearted, flirty side came from, but apparently Evonna brought it out in him. Thank God his brothers and no one else were nearby to hear him. They would bust his chops. Then he didn’t care as a moment later Evonna pressed closer, cupped his cheeks, and kissed him tenderly. He hugged her to him as she released his lips and hugged him back. It was an encouraging, effective moment, and he couldn’t wait to tell his brothers about tonight.