"You got this, Millie. It's just a date with a guy who is into you."
"Hey," Ash greeted as I opened the door. "You look great."
If I were a cartoon my tongue would have rolled out of my mouth, my heart leaping from my chest while little love hearts flew around my head.
Oh, boy. This is totally unfair.
He wore thick worn boots, faded jeans, and a shirt under his flannel. The sleeves of it were pushed back to his elbows revealing his biceps.
Oh, Lordy. Can I have him with whipped cream and cherries, please?
He leaned in, pressing a kiss to my cheek, my body immediately flushing at the intimate gesture.
Wowowowowowowowowowowowowowow!
I tried to pull myself together. I tried to stuff Ash back into the 'potential client' and 'maybe future boss' boxes in my mind. But my libido wasn't having a bar of it. That sexy bitch strode out in high heels, a see-through-teddy, and nipple tassels ready to ride this man into a lusty, fulfilling orgasm.
Well, hell.
"I have something for you." Ash twisted, pulling something from his backpack. "You can open it later."
I accepted the rectangular box, blinking at the small wonky bow in the corner.
"My niece helped me wrap it. She said it was rude to arrive on a date without a gift."
I ran my hands over the box, touched by his thoughtfulness. "Thank you."
He shifted, seemingly uncomfortable. "Shall we head off?"
I nodded. "Give me two minutes to just pop this inside and grab my bag."
I ran back in, picking up my backpack and shrugging it on as I laid the present carefully on my kitchen table. Curiosity burned within me.
I locked up, then turned to him, spreading my arms wide. "Lead on."
He pressed a hand to the small of my back, guiding me down my staircase to an electric car parked on the curb.
"No driver today?"
"I like to occasionally remind myself that I'm capable of operating a vehicle."
I grinned, my heart skipping a little when he opened my door for me.
Be still my heart, an actual gentleman.
I slipped in, admiring him as he walked around to get in the driver's side.
"So where are we going?"
He started the car, the quiet as startling now as it was when he drove me home.
"I thought we'd do a hike out to Lovers Lake then have some lunch at Pier Pressure."
"That'd be great. I've actually never been out there."
Ash cocked an eyebrow at me. "Really?"
"Yeah. I mean, I only moved to Capricorn Cove two years ago."
