Blind Love (Cowboys & Angels 5)

Mallory is the one Tripp wants.

Not me.

The drive back to my place was filled with chatter. Thank God. It was almost like Toby knew I needed to have my mind somewhere else.

By the time he had pulled into my driveway, we had both gotten to know each other a bit more. Toby grew up in Dallas, went to college at Texas Tech, became a firefighter in the Dallas area and then took this job in Oak Springs a few months back. He wanted out of the big city and into a smaller town.

“Well, you got what you wanted. Oak Springs is pretty small,” I said with a chuckle.

He returned the laugh. “It is, but I love it here. The community is amazing. Well, besides the fact that everyone knows everyone…or at least acts like they do.”

“Yes!” I said with a chuckle. “You got that right. Don’t let the town gossip get to you though.”

“I won’t.”

We sat for a few awkward moments before he cleared his throat. “So, how do you feel about having dinner with me tomorrow night?”

I chewed on my lip before replying. This was it. It was fight or flight time. I either sat home with a pint of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream or I took the leap back into the real world of dating.

The way his schoolboy smile appeared, I couldn’t help but get a few flutters in my stomach. It had been a long time since a man looked at me like that. It wasn’t the man I wanted making my stomach jump, but the reaction was still the same. Clearly it was time to move on.

“Tomorrow night sounds amazing. I’d love to have dinner with you.”

He clapped his hands together. “I’ll pick you up around six? Is that too early?”

I shook my head. “Nope. That’s perfect! I’ll see you then.”

Opening the door to his Toyota truck, he reached for my hand. “Wait, let me walk you up. If that’s okay.”

Again, the stupid little flutter as I was about to accept his offer. My poor pathetic body was overjoyed with the slightest attention from a good-looking guy. “I’d love for you to walk me up.”

I waited for Toby to get out of his truck and jog around to my side. I’d taken in his body before when dancing with him. His tight Wrangler jeans and gray T-shirt made him look even nicer. He had a broad chest that my fingers were suddenly itching to touch.

Christ. What is wrong with me? I’m boo-hooing over Tripp, yet fantasizing about Toby’s body.

His hand went to my lower back and a zip of desire raced through my body.

Down, libido. Yes, he is a very good-looking guy, and I know it’s been forever. But you need to stow your little horny ass away.

But he’s looking at me and touching me the way I want Tripp to. My heart wants one thing but my mind and body want another.

I stopped at my door and took in a deep breath. A part of me knew that Tripp and Mallory would most likely be ending the night together, but that was no reason to jump into bed with another man. Screwing him wasn’t going to make me forget about Tripp. It would make my body happy, but certainly not my heart.

“Have I told you how amazing you look in that dress tonight?”

My heart started to race. I wanted him to touch me…I couldn’t deny that. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t attracted to him.

“Thank you,” I softly said.

Our eyes met, and I was positive we were both holding our breath.

Taking a step forward, Toby cupped my face within his hands. He leaned in and kissed me gently on the lips. It was soft and caring and the perfect kiss I needed to end this night.

When he drew back, we both smiled. “I’ll see you tomorrow night.”

“See you then.”

His hands dropped to his side and he took a step back and winked. I lifted my hand and waved.

“Night, Toby.”

“Night, Harley.”

With that, he turned and headed to his truck. The perfect gentleman. My fingers swept over my lips. Would a man ever be able to make my body feel the way it did with Tripp? Sure, there were flutters with Toby, but with Tripp the flutters turned into burning desire. Would another man be able to replicate that same passion in me?

Never.

I sighed and watched Toby drive off.

Maybe he would be the one to help me move past that. It was going to take time. Now that I knew Tripp wasn’t going to forgive me, I needed to start my own healing process. I smiled thinking about tomorrow night’s dinner.

“Little steps,” I whispered to no one in particular, silently hoping my heart heard the words as I unlocked my door. I was greeted by Lady who barked and rushed past me. She did her business and zipped by me again. She went straight for my bedroom, ready to call it a night.