“There’s my girl,” I say as the crowd erupts and she stands there in shock.
I run over to her and sweep her up in my arms as I spin her around.
“Holy shit, did I just win?” she shouts above the noise, and I kiss her like a sailor home from a month at sea.
“Yeah, I think you did,” I say when I finally break the kiss.
“I’m shaking,” she laughs and puts her hands over her face. “I can’t believe that just happened.”
The announcer comes over with a roll of cash and hands it over to me. “If you ever want a job here, let me know,” he says to Brooklyn. “I could use the eye candy to get the crowd going.”
Suddenly my good mood takes a nosedive as I move her behind me. “She’s not interested.”
“Just saying, with a piece that sweet, you and I could both make some cash.”
I take the money out of his hand and then step closer to him. “Unless you want to see how good I am with an axe, I suggest you back the fuck up and keep your eyes off my woman.”
He holds his hands up and backs off slowly as I stand there blocking his view of Brooklyn.
“Why was that hot?” she whispers from behind me, and I have to fight a smile as I grab her hand and leave the axe throwing area.
“Are you kidding me? Watching you kick that guy’s ass has me ready to pound nails.”
“What?” she asks, but I shake my head.
“Nothing, Buttercup. Let’s go get a shepherd’s pie,” I say as I kiss her neck and we walk toward the village again.
Chapter Nine
Brooklyn
My head rests against Dash’s shoulder. I’ve got my arms wrapped around one of his as we sit in the backseat of the car. The night is over, but I don’t want to go home. It was one of the most fun days of my life and I don’t know how, but I’m falling in love with Dash after such a short time.
I smile when I feel him kiss the top of my head. Dash is turning out to be too good to be true. There has to be a flaw to him or something that I’m missing.
“I wish you didn’t have to work tomorrow.”
I tilt my head back to look up at him. “Me too, but it’s only for half the day so I’ll get out early.”
“You’re going to spend the weekend with me.”
I’m surprised, but he didn’t phrase it like a question. Something about him being sweet yet aggressive is exactly the combination that works for me. It makes my insides light up knowing how badly he wants to spend time with me.
“I think I can do that.”
I’m going to have to come clean to my friends about what’s going on. There’s no way I can drop off the map for a weekend without them sending out a search party. I’ve kept my phone tucked away since Dash and I left and I’ve been avoiding their texts. I’m beginning to feel guilty about the whole thing and it’s time to dish.
“Good.” He smiles before he presses his mouth to mine. “Pack a bag.”
“I can do that too.”
I look away from him as I try to process what that means. I want to go further with Dash, but I’m just pretty sure there might be some things we need to talk about first. Like his somewhat shady dating past and my lack of experience going home with a man. The only time I’ve ever shared a bed was with Blair’s grumpy cat. He only ever sleeps with me when she’s gone and he wants to steal my body heat.
“Just because you’re staying the weekend with me doesn’t mean we have to do anything.”
I look back at him and my face heats.
“It’s not that.” I shake my head. “Okay, it’s partly that, but you’ve dated a lot.” His mouth opens then closes like he’s about to deny it but then doesn’t. “I want to be clear before I spend the night with you that this is exclusive.” I motion between us.
“We’re exclusive,” he says instantly, and the same jealousy I saw earlier comes back.
“Okay. I know that some people date more than one person at a time, so I want to be honest.”
“I don’t.” He pulls me close against him. “And neither do you.”
“I actually don’t make it past the first date. You’re the only one to get a second,” I admit, and that makes him smile.
“I can be relentless when I want something.”
“You don’t say,” I laugh, leaning in and kissing him again.
“I hate to say this but we’re here.” I pull my mouth away from his to see we’re outside my apartment building.
With a sigh he opens the car door and helps me out.