She started washing some lettuce in the sink in between dicing up grilled chicken she prepared after taking her shower. She didn’t know why, but she wanted to look older, more sophisticated, because of Dale. She had no idea how old he was. Rumor had it he was nearly midthirties. He was so calm, confident, and yet hard. Kind of like Matt, except Matt was more GQ where Dale was casual, Nautica. He was a good-looking man.
When she heard the truck pull up, she knew he had arrived. She had already fixed the table, and since it was kind of warm outside, she thought they could eat inside but have some sweet tea on the back porch.
Wiping her hands on the dish towel, she headed toward the door, as she pulled the short, snug-fitting cotton tank dress down a little.
She locked gazes with Dale, through the screen door.
“Hi,” he stated.
She smiled and then opened the door.
“I’ll grab the iced tea. Would you like to sit on the back patio?”
“I thought we were heading out to lunch?” he asked as he walked inside and took in the sight of her cottage. It was small, had one bedroom, a tiny kitchen perfect for just her, and a little living room. Enough for a comfy couch, a recliner and the small flat-screen television.
“Well, to be honest, I’m kind of tired and thought I would make us lunch. Is that okay?”
He looked her over, a gleam in his eye that made her instantly nervous. She started to turn away and busy herself in the kitchen when he took her hand, to stop her.
“This means I’ll have you all to myself. What’s not to like about that?” He held her gaze as he brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it.
She lowered her eyes, feeling so out of her league. She knew nothing about dating, never mind an older man like Dale.
“Smells good. You made all that?” he asked, releasing her hand and taking a closer look at the chicken.
“It’s a recipe my aunt taught me. You’ve probably tried it at Francine’s. They call it New York gourmet chicken salad?”
“I can’t say I have. Virgo and I enjoy cooking. We don’t like to eat out much.”
“Where is Virgo?” She lifted the tray with the pitcher of ice tea and two glasses.
“A phone call away, darling,” he replied. She felt her nipples harden and her belly tighten from his reply.
He winked at her as she started walking from the kitchen.
“I can carry that.”
“I got it, but thank you.”
He followed her toward the small back door that led to her tiny backyard she was so very proud of. She smiled, as the smell of all the roses filled the air, and she could see that her garden needed some weeding, too.
“This is really pretty out here,” Dale told her as she set the tray down and then handed him a glass.
“Thank you. It looks like I need to do some weeding later or tomorrow.”
* * * *
Dale never felt so high strung and nervous before with a woman. Sage looked gorgeous, youthful, and damn it, edible. He took a sip of the sweet tea after he sat down on one of the chairs by a small buffet table.
Sage took the seat next to him where they could both look at the garden, and the fields of land on the Jones’s property.
He watched her cross her legs. Her sexy, tan thighs looked toned and smooth. He followed the curves of her body with his eyes over the pale green tank dress she wore. A flat belly and abundant breasts pressed snug beneath the soft cotton garment. His mouth practically watered. He swallowed hard and urged himself to think of something to say other than, I want you so badly it hurts inside my chest.
“Your fathers’ family owns a lot of land. It’s a really nice ranch.”
She looked toward him and turned slightly in her chair. Her knee was inches from his thigh. He placed the glass of ice tea back down onto the table and leaned forward.
“It’s really nice. I’ve loved living here the past five or so years.”