“Yep.” She pops the ‘p’ as she settles in her seat. “I have a microwave dinner calling my name. And my bed.” She moans, eyes closing. The sound goes right to my cock. For a hot moment, I can’t help but wonder what it would be like to have her under me, writhing on my dick, panting my name, coming undone to my ministrations. I want to know what her lips taste like, how she sounds when she comes.
I shift uncomfortably as I turn down her street. “How about I take you out?” I blurt, keeping my eyes on the road. “Or, better yet, I take you to the ranch?”
“What makes you think I want to see your ranch?” she shoots back, arms crossed.
The burn of her stare should not be turning me on the way it does. And yet, I’m still rock hard. “Don’t you want to see the place Iris wants to be laid to rest?”
From the corner of my eye, I catch the narrowing of her stare. The purse of her lips. I can tell she’s considering my words despite the fact I shouldn’t be able to read her like that.
But she sighs, shaking her head. Those dark eyes flicker from me to the dark sky. “Fine,” she says, hands dropping to her lap. “But you should buy me dinner first.”
I can’t help the relief that floods through me at her words. “You got it, trouble,” I reply.
I bypass her shitty little cabin and take her into town. Lights flood the main road, twinkling and bright against the darkness of the sky. If there’s one way to describe Willow Ridge, it’d be picturesque. There’s something sweet about the town, especially at night with the way strings of fairy lights line the street to illuminate the sidewalk, that makes for a great date night.
Which is not what this is, I tell myself as I pull into Dawson’s Diner. I shut the truck off, and without looking at her, I say, “Wait here. I’ll grab something for you.”
Imogen leans her head back against the headrest, eyes fluttering. “Okay,” she murmurs. “Don’t be too long.”
For the first time since she got into the truck, I notice how exhausted she is. Part of me feels bad for bringing her here instead of taking her home, but she also needs more than just a microwave dinner for all the work she does.
I release a breath when I leave the truck and the sky opens up. Thankfully, the diner isn’t too busy, and it doesn’t take too long for them to whip up something good. The smell of delicious diner food is strong when the bag of food is handed to me. The waitress, an older woman I’ve pretty much known my whole life, smiles warmly when I take it.
“That’s not your usual, Calder,” she says.
I shake my head, taking a step back. “Because this isn’t for my brother,” I reply, winking. “Have a good night.”
When I get back to the truck, Imogen’s eyes are closed like she’s sleeping. But as soon as I close the door, she makes a sound in the back of her throat, head lulling to the side. Her eyes flicker open, taking in the bag of hot food sitting on my lap.
“Oh.” She sits up. “Gimme.”
I chuckle and hand her the bag. “How’re you feeling?” I ask, starting the engine. As I back out, I pass her quick glances, waiting for her response.
Imogen shrugs but clutches the bag in her lap. “Tired.” She barely holds back a yawn, making me chuckle again. “Thanks for the food.”
My heart warms at her words. The usual bite is gone, probably because she’s too tired to fight me. Which means I might be able to convince her to stay with me tonight. I’m not sure why the idea makes my belly flutter the way it does, butI like the idea of spending more time with her. I don’t want to drop her off and wait to see her again.
I’m not used to feeling this way. I usually don’t mind saying goodbye. I’m not in a position for anythingreal, so all the relationships I’ve had before were short lived.
Except you aren’t in a relationship with Imogen, I tell myself, glancing at her from the corner of my eye. She stares out the passenger window as we take the road leading out of Willow Ridge towards the miles of open farmland.
“Since moving here, I haven’t actually explored,” Imogen admits, her eyes meeting mine briefly. “I didn’t even know there was a diner in town. I just knew about the cafe near work because it’s the only place I ever had time to see.”
I lean back, following the silent road. The rain isn’t as heavy anymore, just…there.
“How long have you been here?” I ask.
“Two weeks.” Imogen ducks her head. “I went straight into work. All my free time is spent trying to fix my house.”
I don’t really know how to respond to that as I turn onto the ranch. The lights are out in the main house, and I can’t see my older brother’s cabins from here. I bypass them towards the barn, though I’m not even sure if I should take her there with the other guys in the bunks.
Instead, I drive her to a part of the ranch that overlooks everything. Quiet, peaceful, a place that might give me a chance to understand her better.
Imogen sighs when the engine shuts off. “Alright, I can understand why she likes this place,” she says, sitting back. “It’s beautiful.”
“I thought you weren’t a ranch person?” I tease, grabbing the bag from her.
Trouble just shakes her head. “I can admit when I’m wrong.” She grins tiredly. The sight of her in the dark of my truckdoes something to me. Creates a hunger that I won’t be able to quench.
