Rumor Going ‘Round Page 7

  “These are gorgeous!” Lindsay exclaims as she takes the bouquet from me. She brings it to her nose, drawing in a large breath of the flowers. “And they smell amazing! Thank you so much.” Lindsay opens her door even wider, allowing me to step inside behind her as she takes the flowers over to her counter.

  “How was your day?” I ask, standing just inside the door.

  “It was good, and yours?” she asks, coming back over to where I’m standing.

  “Good, spent the morning and afternoon with Paisley until it was time to drop her off at my parents' house. She’s having a sleepover with them tonight.”

  “Aww, I bet they’ll have fun. Sorry that our date made you miss out on one of your nights with her.”

  “It’s okay; I knew that she’d be just as happy at my parents' house as she is at mine. She’s adjusting a little better to having a baby brother at Lilly’s, as well,” I tell her, thinking back to a few weeks ago when Paisley was having some difficulties with the transition to having a new sibling. “You ready to go?” I ask as Lindsay comes to a stop a foot or so in front of me. I realize I’m still holding the box of chocolates, so I hold them out, first. “These are also for you.” I offer them over.

  “How’d you know these were my favorite?” she asks, a little shock lacing her voice.

  “Just a lucky guess.” I smirk. “That, and they were next to the register at the florist, so really you have them to thank. Perfect product placement,” I quip, but also make a mental note that they’re her favorite. That’s a good nugget of information to have for later on.

  “Well, thank you,” she says, placing them on a little table near her front door. “I’ll enjoy those later. Now, where are you taking me?” she asks, and I open the door, holding out an arm for her to walk in front of me. I step aside once it’s closed so that she can lock up, then offer up my arm for her to hold as I escort her to my truck. I break our connection once we reach it so that I can open the passenger door for her. I reach in and toss the box that held the flowers into my back seat, then offer my hand to help her climb up. I, apparently, will do anything to have her skin touching mine.

  Once Lindsay is securely in the truck, I shut the door, jogging around the front and hopping into the driver’s seat. “We’re headed to the fall festival, if that sounds okay with you,” I answer her question from before.

  “Sounds perfect,” she agrees. “I’ve been wanting to make it over, but didn’t know when I’d be able to.”

  “Well, I’m glad it worked out, then.” I chuckle.

  We make small talk on the fifteen-minute drive over to the fairgrounds. With the nice weather, the festival is packed, especially with it being a Saturday night. I follow the signs to where parking is available, and we make our way up to the gates. I grab our tickets, and away we go.

  “What are you in the mood to eat first?” I ask, placing my hand on Lindsay’s back as we walk through the crowds.

  She laughs. “I like how you specified first, like you already know we won’t be indulging in just one thing tonight.”

  “It just isn’t possible to come here and not eat your way through the place. Isn’t that what fairs are all about?” I ask, leaning in a bit closer to talk next to her ear, so she’s sure to hear me. With the growing crowds, it’s a little hard to hear one another.

  “Gah!” she exclaims, holding her hand up in the air. “I don’t know what to pick, let's do a lap around, and then we can decide; how’s that sound?” she asks, leaning right back into me.

  “Like the perfect plan,” I confirm. I slide my hand into hers, linking our fingers together as we walk around, checking things out. We each point out booths we want to check out at some point, but right now, we’re on a mission to figure out our food game plan.

  8

  Lindsay

  “I don’t think I can eat one more bite,” I tell Tucker as I push the basket of fresh curly fries closer to him. “I’m stuffed.”

  “Well, in your defense, we have eaten our way through this place.” He snags another curly fry and drags it through the puddle of ketchup before popping it into his mouth. “But I agree, I’m done.” He gathers what's left and tosses them in one of the large barrel trash cans set up around the tables.

  “Want to go find a drink and go listen to music, or we could go grab some ride tickets and go up on the Ferris wheel,” he suggests.

  “I absolutely hate heights,” I warn him. “So, I’m not sure you’d want to take me up on that thing.”

  “Oh, come on, it isn’t that bad, plus, you’d have me to hold on to.” He winks at me.

  “You make a tempting argument, but I’m still not sure about getting on that thing.”

  “We can think about it, maybe go up once the sun fully sets, and all the lights come on.”

  “I’ll think about it.” I give him that, at least. The idea of snuggling close to him is very tempting, but the thought of losing the contents of my stomach all over him is definitely not.

  “All right, let's go find a drink or two and then head over to the stage and listen to the music.”

  “Sounds perfect,” I agree and stand from the picnic table. I toss the napkin I was holding, then slide my hand into Tucker's outstretched one. He’s held my hand most of the evening, and I can admit that I like the feeling.

  We find the beer tent, and he grabs two. He’s insisted on paying for everything tonight, not that I expect it, at all. He almost glared at me once, when I attempted to pull out my wallet when I was buying a funnel cake earlier.

  “I see an open space over there,” I tell him, pointing at an empty section on the bleachers.

  “Lead the way, beautiful,” he comments, handing over one of the beers and then linking our fingers back together. I walk with him right on my heels until we reach the area. He waits to sit down until I take a seat, choosing to sit on the bench directly behind me. Once seated, he pulls me back until my back is against his front. I melt into him, enjoying the contact our bodies are making. His warmth seeps through my T-shirt but sends tingles of awareness down my spine.

  We sway along to the music as we sit here, drinking our beers and just enjoying the entertainment on stage. This festival always brings in such amazing local talent, my cousin used to play this very stage each and every year until she made it big after winning the TV show she was on.

  By the time the current band finished up, the sun has finally set, and the grounds are lit up by all the neon lights from the booths and the rides. We make our way out of the grandstand and back into the rows of booths. “What do you say about that Ferris wheel now?” Tucker asks, pulling me to a stop in front of him as we stand off to the side of the crowd of people. He’s tucked his fingers into two of the belt loops on my jeans and pulled me in close. I place a palm against his chest, feeling the pounding of his heart against my fingers. I suck my bottom lip in between my teeth, biting it as I contemplate his offer. Here I am, twenty-six years old, out on a first date and pondering something that I probably had to consider when I was sixteen and at this very fair with my high school boyfriend at the time.

  Tucker cups my cheek, his thumb sliding across my lip, pulling my bottom lip from my teeth. “I won’t let anything happen to you,” he says, his words a promise to protect me.

  “Okay, let's do it,” I tell him, finally giving in. The look of shock on his face tells me that he really didn’t think that I’d go for it.

  “Let’s go!” he bellows, then tugs me toward the ticket booth. The crowds are thick, mostly with teenagers out after dark and enjoying the fun this Saturday night has brought to our ordinary sleepy town. It takes us a few minutes to get up to the booth, but once we do, Tucker buys enough tickets for us to go on the one ride.

  “Have you ever gone on this?” Tucker asks once we’re in line for the Ferris wheel.

  “Once, I was sixteen. I hated every second of it and ended up puking when we got off. So be warned now that this might not end well,” I warn, those thoughts of doubt
creeping back in.

  “I’ll hold your hair back for you if that happens. Puke doesn’t phase me one bit. Either does blood,” he quips.

  “You might not be saying that when it's in your lap,” I deadpan.

  “Still wouldn’t be the worst thing that has happened to me. Do you not remember what I do for a living?”

  “Fight fires and rescue kittens out of trees for little old ladies?” I quip.

  “Yeah, we’ll go with that answer.” He laughs as we move closer to the front of the line.

  “Do you enjoy your job?” I ask.

  “Absolutely. I wouldn’t want to do anything else. I dreamed of following in my dad's footsteps since I understood what it was he did every day.”

  “It's good to have such passion for your job.”

  “What about you? Do you enjoy working in the ER?”

  “I love it. Like you, I knew from an early age that I wanted to help people, and nursing just kind of worked. I didn’t really know what department or specialty I wanted to work in until I started clinicals. The ER is like nothing else. The constant changing, you never know what you’re going to get kind of atmosphere keeps you on your toes and moving. Very rarely do we ever have much downtime, and the shifts we do, it’s almost like the calm before the storm. None of us like it when that happens because it's usually followed by complete chaos.”

  “I understand that thinking. When we’ve gone too long between calls at the firehouse, we all dread that next one because it’s usually a big one.”

  “Have you decided on the dog decision for Paisley’s birthday?” I ask, changing the subject.

  “I haven’t. I really need to decide one way or another, soon. Her birthday is this week.”

  “Aww, are you guys doing anything special?” I ask.

  “A party next weekend. Would you like to come?” he offers.

  “Oh, I wouldn’t want to intrude.”

  “You wouldn’t be an intrusion, plus, I invited you.”

  “What are you guys doing?”

  “She wanted one of those bounce castles, so I rented one to be set up in the backyard. Lilly and I have always just done one joint celebration for her every year, so everyone will be at one party. Just grilling up some hot dogs and hamburgers and letting the kids run around and play. Nothing super fancy, just a family-friendly party, plus some cake and ice cream, at some point. We’re starting at noon, so if you are free and want to stop by, then I’d love to have you.”

  “Thanks, I’ll see what's going on and maybe stop by,” I tell him as we reach the front of the line—the worker holding the gate open for us to take a seat. I cautiously take a seat, then latch myself to Tucker's side as soon as he’s next to me. The carnie locks the gate contraption that goes in front of us, then presses a button, causing us to move so they can unload and load the next one.

  “I’ve got you.” Tucker's deep sexy voice fills my ear. He places one arm around me, tugging me even closer to his side as his other hand holds mine. His lips are next to my ear as he does his best to keep my nerves at bay with his calming words. “We’re just moving a little at a time, nothing to be scared of right now,” he says, and I open my eyes up slightly. We’ve only moved enough space for them to unload and re-load two others. I keep my eyes open, even as we move up another spot. “See, you’ve got this. Just look at me if you need to.”

  “How can you be so calm?” I finally get out.

  “Heights don’t scare me, babe. I climb ladders every day, walk along rooflines of buildings that are on fire.”

  “And you’re crazy,” I quip.

  “Not crazy, just live for the adrenaline rush that being out on calls brings me.”

  “Ohhh, shit!” I call out as the Ferris wheel starts moving again, this time not stopping after just twenty or so feet. As we creep toward the very top, I feel my stomach roll, but try and focus on keeping my breathing steady and regular.

  “I’ve got you,” Tucker says again into my ear, his lips practically touching my neck. His breath on my skin definitely has me distracted as we descend back to the ground and then lift right back up as we circle around. Tucker's lips suck, lighting at the skin just below my ear. My pulse picks up at the contact as lust fills my veins. I sink my free hand into his hair, pulling his lips from my neck, and crush my lips against his. I melt into the connection. His tongue slides along the seam of my lips, and I open for him instantly. He shifts slightly, not like we can sit much differently in this Ferris wheel cart, but he somehow deepens the kiss, making me forget about my surroundings.

  “Time’s up, love birds,” the carnie’s voice calls out, and Tucker and I break apart instantly. My cheeks are hot from my embarrassment. Tucker hops off, tugging my hand behind him as we exit and run down the ramp. A giggle comes barreling out, and I can’t stop the laugh from being caught making out like teenagers by the carnie.

  “That wasn’t so bad, now, was it?” Tucker asks once we’ve cleared the exit ropes and are now standing out in the open, the crowds of people milling around. He pulls me back into his arms, my front flush with his. He sinks both hands into my hair, pulling my face back to being in front of his.

  “It definitely was better than the last time I rode the thing,” I say against his lips, just as he kisses me once again.

  Butterflies fill my stomach as we stand here kissing, our surroundings melting away once again. The bells and music blaring out from all the games and rides are just a faint noise in the background. I can feel the effect our kiss is having on Tucker's body as his erection presses into my belly. What I wouldn’t do to be able to touch him right now, but unless I want to get carted off for indecent exposure, this isn’t the time or place to be copping a feel.

  “Get a room!” I hear a voice call out, causing us to break apart. He’s got a shit-eating grin tugging at his lips. His forehead rests against mine as he sucks in a deep breath.

  “Ready to get out of here?” he asks, standing to his full height, a moment later. His thumb wipes across my kiss-swollen lips before he takes a step back.

  “Yeah, let's go,” I reply. Linking our fingers back together, we walk side-by-side out of the fair and to his truck.

  The drive back to my place is quiet, except for the sound coming from the radio. Once on the road, Tucker placed his hand on my thigh and hasn’t moved it since. He pulls into my driveway, and the butterflies are back. Do I invite him in? Do we call it a night here at the truck? At the door? Why am I overthinking this?

  “Would you like—" I start to say just as he starts to talk.

  “I’m not ready—" he’s saying.

  “Sorry, you first,” I tell him.

  “No, you go first,” he insists.

  “Would you like to come in?” I finish my question.

  “Yes,” he chuckles as he replies. “I was about to tell you that I wasn’t ready for our night to end.”

  “Well, then, I guess we’re on the same page,” I tell him as I open my door and jump down from his truck. He follows me up to my front stoop, waiting behind me as I pull out my keys and unlock the door. His fingertips graze over the skin on my neck as he pushes my hair out of the way, his lips finding bare skin. My fingers shake as I turn the lock, and then handle, and push the door open. I step out of his embrace, immediately missing the feel of his lips against my skin. He follows me inside, turning to shut the door behind him.

  Tucker tugs me into his arms, turning me, so I’m facing him. “I don’t want to rush you into this, but I need to know what you want tonight. I’m not looking for just a one-night romp in the sheets, Lindsay,” he tells me, and the look of desire that floods his blue eyes tells me so much more than his words do, at this moment.

  “I, I don’t know, Tucker. Let’s just see where things go,” I suggest. I can’t just word vomit all over him that I want a relationship; I want the white picket fence, two kids, and dog life. We just went on our first official date. It doesn’t matter. I’ve known this man practically my entire life; if
I was to lay out everything I’m looking for right now, he’d be out the door faster than he arrived.

  “Okay,” he agrees, backing me up against the wall and kissing me once again. This toe-curling kiss is somehow hotter than any of the other ones we’ve had tonight. Maybe it is the fact we’re actually alone, with no chance of being interrupted. Perhaps it’s because the sexual tension has built up not only from tonight but the last few weeks. I don’t know what it is, but I’m sure as hell not complaining.

  Tucker keeps me pinned against the wall, his thigh separating my legs and applying the perfect amount of pressure to my aching core. I might have even ground myself against him a few times, and I’m not even ashamed of it. His lips find their way down my jaw and back to my throat. The light scruff on his face tickling my skin as he moves his lips around. He sucks lightly at my throbbing pulse before pulling back and looking at me, his eyes so lust drunk.

  “If I don’t stop now, I don’t know that I’ll be able to hold back from taking you into your room and stripping you down and fucking you all night long,” he growls.

  “Mhmm…” I moan. The images flashing through my mind from his words have me squirming against his thigh again.

  “And tell me why that’s a bad idea?” I ask, my breath a little shaky.

  “Fuck, Linds,” he says, bringing his forehead to mine. “You can’t say shit like that and expect me not to haul you over my shoulder.” He pulls back, standing to his full height, which causes his thigh to no longer be between my legs. I immediately miss the heat and pressure it was providing.

  “I say we throw caution to the wind and find a flat surface,” I tell him. I don’t know where this boldness is coming from, but dammit, I’m a grown woman and can ask for sex if I damn well want to.

  “You sure? I don’t want you regretting anything come the daylight hours,” he says, looking me over.

  “Are you turning down sex?” I ask, a little shocked.

  “For tonight, yes. I don’t think we should rush things. I think we should have another date before we take that next step; I don’t want to be a mistake, Linds. I want to be more.”