“No one has ever said that to me before. Not about clouds.”
“It’s not just the clouds. It’s you talking about them. How many years do you have left in your degree?”
A flash of pain crossed her face. “I had to stop going to school, so I’m behind. I have another year left, then I want to get my masters, so that is another two.”
“And you’re twenty, ah…?” I paused, waiting for her to fill in the number.
“Twenty-five.”
She was younger than me but very mature for her age. I had a feeling it was due to her responsibilities and her personality. She had an old soul, much like a lot of the women in my family—wiser than their years.
“What do you want to do with your degree? Not a weather girl on TV, I’m assuming.”
“I want to work behind the scenes. Research. I want to study weather trends and their effects on plants, animals, humans, and the world’s oceans. Research can also study historical atmospheric data to find clues that help the scientific community understand how weather events shape the earth’s ecosystems. I want to be part of that.”
I sat back, admiring her. “I just came in my pants,” I deadpanned. “Beautiful and smart? Poke me with a fork, because I am done.”
That got me another burst of laughter. A little more color in her pretty cheeks. I wondered if her skin would be warm if I kissed her right now. It took all I had in me not to lean across the table and find out.
“I have to finish school first and find a job.”
I had a feeling she could do anything she put her mind to.
“You will,” I assured her. “I have no doubt.”
“You hardly know me. How can you be so sure?”
“I’m a great judge of character.”
She shook her head, but I saw her smile.
And I liked it.
* * *
Beth regarded the large platter of tacos in front of us.
“I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I got an assortment,” I offered. “You told me you weren’t a vegetarian, but I wasn’t sure if you liked beef. So, there’s pork, chicken, and shrimp too.”
“Not even you can possibly eat this many tacos,” she said, lifting her gaze to mine. “Can you?”
“Not an issue.”
“Wow,” she breathed out.
“I gotta keep up my strength. Make sure I’m ready to battle anything out there to keep you safe.”
She lifted one eyebrow. It was sexy. “Is a ninja attack imminent?”
“You never know.” I lifted a taco. “Better safe than sorry. You’re my responsibility until I kiss you goodnight and make sure you’re safely inside.”
“Who says you’re getting a good-night kiss?”
I grinned. “Hopeful.”
She took a taco, shaking her head. But she was still smiling. She bit and chewed, then moaned low in her throat. “Oh my God, these are so good. I hope you got enough.”
I threw back my head in laughter, grateful for her humor. The sound of her low moan had made my cock twitch. We both wanted to hear it again. Hopefully while my mouth was on hers.
We were quiet for a few moments, concentrating on the food. I filled her glass from the jug, and she regarded me wryly.
“Trying to get me drunk, Ronan?”
I laughed. “No. They make these special for me. Less than half the alcohol. Then I can drink two of them and be fine to drive. Two at full blast, I would be wasted.”
She pursed her lips. “You come here a lot, I assume.”
“Yep. Have for years. It’s long been a family favorite. My dad used to bring my mom here.”
“I see. I guess you work it off with all the exercise you get being a trainer.”
I cleared my throat, not able to look her in her eye as I kept lying. “I’m not a trainer at that gym. I just go there because I like it. It’s small and well equipped. Great classes.”
She didn’t seem to notice my unease. “Oh, you train elsewhere but use those facilities?”
I hesitated, not wanting to tell her yet. I squirmed in the booth a little, feeling guilt trickle down my spine. I was enjoying being Ronan. Just a guy. No huge family, no triplets, no expectations. “Something like that. I have another job elsewhere. I help out on occasion if John needs it. Otherwise, I’m just another customer.”
She frowned, but she seemed to understand. “Ah.”
I changed the subject, grateful she didn’t push. “I know a place. It’s great to watch clouds. See the water and have a picnic. Maybe on a Sunday?”
“I usually spend Sundays with Evan. I hardly get to see him during the week.”
I quickly went over the area I was thinking about in my mind. It was on the very edge of the BAM property, behind the woods, and no one ever went there but me. “He could come along. The path is pretty level.”