Dinner was relaxing as they made small talk about the town and what her life was like in Fort Worth. She skipped all the details about Grant and her rocky relationship with him. She didn’t want to think about him and ruin her good mood. She felt relaxed and happy to be with Drake. She told him about her mother being bitter after her dad ran off and never wanting to settle down because of that.
“Dale and Kate were a steady constant in my life even if it was only for a few weeks a year,” she said honestly. “What happened to him was so unfair.”
Drake nodded. “Drunk drivers never realize how they destroy people with their actions. Unfortunately I see a lot of it in my line of work.”
“Did you always want to be in law enforcement?”
He nodded earnestly. “Except for the few years I was determined to join the circus. I thought I could work with tigers. I practiced for years with my cat, but he never listened and I gave up.” He shook his head so sincerely that Jasmine couldn’t help but laugh. He had a great sense of humor and made her laugh several times during dinner.
“How did you get into decorating? Did you constantly rearrange your bedroom? My sister drove my mom crazy doing that during her teen years. I bet she drives Dylan up a wall. I’d hate to come into my bedroom and find the bed in a different place.”
“No. I had no goals, I am sorry to say. My mom wasn’t around to supervise me so I ran the streets with a much older crowd,” she replied honestly. “I got kicked out of school for cutting class and having a bad attitude.”
“What a rebel.” He shook his head mournfully.
Jasmine agreed. “My counselor had a long talk with me one day after a fight. It straightened me out. Made me think of a future. Problem was, I hated math. Science was confusing. History was boring. She asked me what did I like. I said hanging out with people because my house was lonely and drawing. From there I discovered decorating. I found out I was good at it and the rest is history.”
“Wow. That is some counselor.” Drake sipped on his water. “I wish I had some exciting tales of my high school years but it was just average. Sports. Girls. Friends.”
“My counselor was awesome or I might have dropped out. We stayed in touch. I told her I was moving to Red Hook and she wished me luck,” Jasmine informed him.
They lingered over coffee and dessert, not wanting the night to end. Jasmine found herself having a good time.
Drake had parked down the block so they walked hand in hand down the sidewalk after dinner. It was a warm summer night and the sky was just getting dark. Morehead was slightly larger than Red Hook and the streets were nosier and busier.
“Next week the town is having their yearly summer festival. I have to work some days and I promised Julia I would win her a giant panda,” he said. Jasmine had heard all about the festival. It was all people talked about lately. It was a big event for the town. She had already made fliers to pass out. It sounded like a lot of fun and she wished she had girlfriends to go with. The few friends Grant had allowed her had been the girlfriends of his buddies and of course were no longer allowed to talk to her after the break-up. If hadn’t been for Sabrina who worked with her she would not have had a place to stay.
“I thought maybe you would go with me one night. We could get on a few rides,” he said hopefully. “They have different bands and games and rides. I thought it’d be fun.”
Jasmine gave him a happy smile. Her heart was racing with excitement and she knew it was dangerous but she felt helpless to stop the feeling. She really liked Drake Lopez and wanted to know more about him. “I’d love too. I love going on rides. I love corn dogs and cotton candy.”
“Awesome. Me too.” He laughed. “Eva gets sick to her stomach going on even the simple rides. She is such a wimp. So I take Julia for her.”
Jasmine hooked her arm through his as they reached his truck. It was such a wonderful night and she wished it wasn’t ending so soon. She felt like she could talk to Drake for hours. “I had a good time tonight, Drake. Thanks for bringing me here and for letting me beat you at bike riding.”
He brushed her hair back and smiled gently. She loved how he was always touching her hair or hands. He was very affectionate and she was soaking it up. Her mother had never been the affectionate type and neither had Grant.
“You beat me fair and square. I blame it on the fact that you’re younger. We’ll have a rematch after I train.”
She grinned and leaned closer to him. She could smell his cologne and she was tempted to kiss him but she didn’t want to appear forward and turn him off.
“I have a hectic schedule this week because we’re making plans for the festival so I may not have much free time.”
“I understand. Things have been busy at the store too but at least we have a date to look forward to, right?” She wondered if he expected her to get upset because he had to work. He looked relieved with her answer and smiled back at her.
He opened the truck door. Before Drake helped her get in, he stood before her. She could see the desire in his eyes and it only added fuel to her fire. She wanted to kiss him. The air between them was thick with tension. She could feel her heart racing and her body tingling. That light touch of his lips at the park only whetted her appetite. He slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her close. She felt the bulge beneath his pants but it didn’t scare her. It excited her. She wanted him to desire her the way she desired him. She leaned in and kissed him lightly. His lips were warm and soft. Her hands went to his broad shoulders.
She closed her eyes and opened her mouth up to him. His tongue touched hers and she forgot all thoughts. The kiss was hot and filled with everything she thought it would. She knew they would be explosive together but it was too soon to go for more. She wanted to know him better before she jumped into bed with him. Her panties were wet by the time he slowed things down and let her go. He was breathing heavily and his eyes were heavy lidded.
“Wow, woman. That melted my shoes to the sidewalk.” His voice was deep and filled with heat.
Her nipples har
dened instantly and she was ready to jump on him as soon as they got in the truck.
She fanned herself with her hand and he laughed smugly. He opened the door for her and she got in. He closed it and went around to the driver’s side. He gave her a heated glance and turned the truck on. He pushed some buttons. “I think we need the AC on or we might not make it home tonight. If I pull over on a dark stretch of road we will end up naked.”
Jasmine almost begged him to do it. She turned the vent toward her hot face. Drake Lopez was indeed a dangerous man. Dangerous for her heart. She had to tread carefully.