“Remember when I told you I would call you Tanya until I came up with a nickname?”
I nod, curious as to why he chose that as my nickname. “But whysunflower?”
His stare intensifies, the flecks of gold in his deep amber eyes more prominent. ”After getting to know you and walking around these fields, I realize you have a lot in common with these flowers. Like them, you’re taking your time to bloom, but once you do, it’s in such bright colors, radiating joy and happiness. That’s why I thinksunfloweris a perfect nickname for you, Tanya Lucille Vendrell.”
My mouth falls open, and a littleohsound slips out. Touched by his words, I make the first move by grabbing the collar of his shirt, pulling him to me. His eyes widen and briefly drop to my mouth before our lips touch. When I finally feel his mouth against mine, time stands still. But before long, our lips move in perfect unison, like we have done this a thousand times.
His lips taste like peppermint, and combined with his woodsy scent makes me feel dizzy with lust and other feelings that I can’t name. The background sounds of laughing children, a barking dog, and the birds chirping disappear.
Spade’s hands grab my hips, and he pulls me to him. His solid, broad chest feels like perfection against me, just like his trimmed beard does touching my face. I want to run my hands over every single inch of his tempting body until I have touched it all. Then I would only start again as I don’t think I can get enough of this man who has managed to flip my world upside down in a matter of hours.
Before we get carried away, I step back, my face flushed and my breath turning into heavy pants. That wasn’t your typical kiss, not even close. Looking up, I stare into Spade’s eyes, trying to see how he’s feeling after the best kiss of my life. What I see in those depths makes my knees buckle because they reflect my amazement.
And that’s the moment when I know I’m falling, if you can fall for someone you just met.
11
SPADE
“So, the important question is, do you want the side closest to the bathroom?” I ask Tanya from the bathroom as we get ready for bed after our tour around the sunflower fields and relaxed ride back to the motel.
“I’m fine with whatever,” her voice comes from the other room.
“Then I would like to be on the door side, if that’s okay.”
“Sure.”
As I brush my teeth, I keep returning to our kiss in the middle of the flowers. I don’t even feel likekissis a strong enough term to describe what we shared; the wordkissseems so small, something so unimportant. Standing in that field, what we had then, was way more significant than any of my previous experiences. There’s nothing I can compare that moment with. I have obviously been drawn to her from the beginning, feeling something I had never quite felt before. And if her words and actions give me any clues about where she stands, I would say she’s right there with me.
But now I have to get through our first, well, second, night together. Only this time, we’ll be in one bed, not a hospital bed and a chair. A mattress that will be pretty small for both of us. If this isn’t a plot for a romance book, I don’t know what is.
Toweling my wet face and beard dry, I take deep breaths before walking out of the bathroom, wearing my boxers and t-shirt. I don’t usually wear anything in bed, but I try to keep some modesty in our situation. The room is dark, except for the faint light from the lamp on my side. Tanya’s back is turned to me, and I wonder if she’s already asleep.
I don’t have to wonder for long before she whispers in a barely audible voice. “Are you just going to stand there, or what?”
“I—um, do you mind moving a bit that way so I have more space?”
Not saying a word, she scoots closer to the edge, making room for me to lie down next to her. I take a hesitant step forward before sitting down and moving my legs onto the bed. It squeaks a bit under our combined weight, and I tense up. I hope this bed is sturdy and can carry us both. It would be hella awkward if it can’t.
“What’s wrong?” Tanya asks, the slight worry in her voice.
Her words startle me. “Why are you asking that?”
“You’re stiff as a board.”
“I’m just hoping this bed doesn’t break under us.”
She giggles nervously. “I don’t know what you’re planning, but if we just sleep, it’ll be fine. Don’t you worry.”
“Oh shit, I didn’t even realize how it sounded,” I assure her, my cheeks warming.
“I can tell. But seriously, it’s all good.”
“If you say so,” I say before turning onto my side with small movements, facing the same way as her. I’m used to sleeping like this, so not going to even try something else right now.
“Good night, sunflower,” I whisper, not trusting my voice as I can’t stop thinking about how her lips feel against mine.
“Good night, Edmund,” she replies, scooting her body closer to me.
