“You make that look easy.”
“It is.”
“Well, thank you.” She leaned down and pressed a kiss to his forehead, careful not to touch the bruise from the boat flipping. “I’m sorry I flipped the boat.”
“I’m not. We got to spend a few short minutes alone together.” He moved around the truck and climbed behind the steering wheel.
“But you nearly drowned,” she said, continuing their conversation.
“It was worth it to me.” He gave her a crooked grin. Once they passed through the ranch gate and turned onto the highway, he frowned. “No brothers around to annoy the hell out of us.”
“Your brothers and sister care about you,” she said softly. “You’re lucky to have them.”
He looked her direction again. “That’s right, you didn’t have any siblings.”
“No. I always wanted brothers and sisters.” She stared out the window. “And when I do have children, I won’t have just one. Children need siblings.”
He nodded. “I have to agree. I can’t imagine a life growing up without all of mine. We were never bored. Still, there are times I like my space.”
She laughed. “I’ll remember to flip a boat again when you want to be alone.”
“With you,” he added. “How about tomorrow?”
Her brow dipped. “What about tomorrow? You want me to flip a boat again?”
“No, but I figure we only have a day, maybe not even that long, until Leslie fixes BODS, and we have to meet our perfect match. How would you like to buck the system and go out with me again? I promise to take you to something more in line with what you like to do.”
“I loved going fishing,” she said. “I didn’t even mind going swimming, once I knew you were okay.”
“Yeah, but I want to do something you’re familiar with, so you’re not put into an uncomfortable position.”
Her brow twisted. “I have a yoga class tomorrow in the morning, but the rest of the afternoon is free.”
“Yoga?” He grimaced. “Do you have room for another student?”
She laughed. “I do, but are you sure you want to join the class? It’s all older women. We take it really slow and easy.”
“I get along really well with older women. My mother was an older woman.” His smile faded. “I don’t have to wear yoga pants or a leotard, or anything like that, do I?”
“No. You can wear shorts and a T-shirt.” She stared at him. “The ladies will be delighted. Be warned, though, they might get a little giddy around a good-looking man.”
“I’ll bring my back-off spray. What time?” he asked.
“It’ll be early—nine in the morning. It gives them time to shower and change before church.”
The drive back to Austin took only thirty minutes. The evening traffic had calmed, and they made it to the coffee house with no problems.
After Dillon helped Ariana down from her seat, he held on around her waist. “I’m glad my date turned out to be you,” he said.
“After sitting in traffic, waiting for a wreck to clear, my stomach was knotted and I dreaded meeting a stranger,” she said. “When you turned around, I felt better immediately.” She leaned up on her toes and brushed her lips across his. “Thank you for being there.”
He gathered her in his arms. “Thank you for being you. I feel like we bonded as friends in the dark.” Then he crushed her mouth with his, deepening the little kiss she’d given him.
Ariana encircled the back of his neck with her hands and pressed her breasts to his chest.
He wanted so much more than just a kiss. When their lips finally parted, he leaned his forehead against hers. Was it too soon to ask her if she’d like to go back to his place and pick up where they’d left off?
“I’d better go,” she said. “Thank you for today.” She stepped back and smiled up at him. “See you tomorrow at nine?”
He nodded.
“If you change your mind, I’ll understand,” she said. “Not every man wants to be in a room full of older women. Especially doing yoga. I have other classes during the week where I have a good mix of men and women, if you’d rather come to one of those.”
“I’ll be there tomorrow at nine.” He walked her to her car and opened her door for her after she unlocked it.
Before she got in, he kissed her again.
He could do that all night long and not get tired of it.
She looked up into his eyes and ran her tongue across her damp lips. “Goodnight, my stranger from the