“True.” He ran his tongue over his lower lip. “Ever have sex in a public bathroom, Max?”
Heat nipped at my face. “Huh?”
“It might be kind of fun. I haven’t done anything like that since I was in high school.”
From his glittery eyes andslightlyslurred voice, I could tell he was a little drunk. “I’m not sure I’m the bathroom sex type, Royce.”
He grinned good-naturedly. “Yeah, and there’s only one stall in the men’s room. That could get pretty awkward if someone knocked on the door.”
“Oh, God.” I winced. “If anyone caught us, you might lose the election.”
“Might be worth it though.”
I laughed, feeling a little flustered. “Where’s my even-keel, practical-minded boyfriend?”
He shrugged. “What has being a straightlaced good guy ever got me? The people of Rainy Dale are probably going to vote me out of office and replace me with a shyster.”
“No. I don’t believe that.”
“Don’t you?” His expression was suddenly morose. “I do. I can’t stop thinking I’m gonna lose, Max.”
His sad voice made my heart ache. “No, Royce. Don’t let them get inside your head.”
He rubbed his face roughly, and he plastered on a fake smile. “Okay. You’re right.”
We’d already settled our check, so I sighed and slid out of the booth. “Come on. Let’s get you home. I don’t want anyone seeing you like this.”
He stared up at me for a few moments, then got out of the booth. We walked out into the cool night, and I inhaled crisp woodsmoke-tinged air. As we moved down the sidewalk in the direction of Royce’s home, I slipped my arm around his waist, feeling oddly content. This night was very different from thefirst time I’d visited the High Chaparral. I’d been so lonely and out of my depth back then. Now I was in love, and I didn’t mind living in Rainy Dale because of that.
It occurred to me I never really longed for LA anymore. When I’d first arrived in Rainy Dale, running back to LA had consumed my every waking moment. Not now though. What consumed my thoughts now was a lanky, soft-spoken sheriff whose brown eyes made my pulse race.
I glanced over at his sharp profile and smiled. Just looking at him made me happy. A little shiver of pure joy went through me as I stared at him. He was mine. Royce wasmine. I’d never really had anyone who was all mine before. It was a heady feeling to know that I’d somehow managed to make him fall in love with me. Me. Maxwell Thornton aka clueless clod extraordinaire.
My insides were warm and fuzzy from the gin and tonics. The starry night and sweet scent of winter honeysuckle–infused air had me feeling unusually romantic. Euphoric. Optimistic.
Even so, I was as surprised as Royce when I suddenly blurted out, “Move in with me, Royce.”
Chapter Eighteen
Royce
I stopped walking abruptly, positive I’d misheard Max. When I met his gaze, he looked somewhat stricken. “What?” I asked, my voice wobbling.
He moved his mouth, but no sound came out.
I laughed gruffly. “Did you just ask me to move in with you?”
Even in the dim light from the streetlamps, I could see a flush spreading across his high cheekbones. He dropped his gaze, and different expressions seemed to dance across his features: confusion. Fear. Apprehension. None of them were particularly joyful emotions.
“You don’t look very happy about the idea, Max,” I said softly.
He grabbed my hand, squeezing painfully. “What if I meant it?”
“Doyou mean it?” I frowned. To say I was surprised didn’t quite cover it. While I’d made it clear I loved living with Max, I’d never been quite certain if he’d enjoyed it or not.
“I want to live in my new home.” He wrinkled his brow. “I can’t deny that.” He shifted uneasily, flicking his gaze to mine. “But I also want to live with you. I don’t know how to do that unless you move in with me.”
I gritted my teeth, trying to keep my excitement at bay. This was a huge step for Max. But it wasn’t one I wanted him to make unless he was a million percent sure. I wasn’t confident he was. “We don’t have to live together. As you said, we could just have set nights where one of us stays at the other’s place. Maybe that would make you more comfortable.”
