To Love Someone (Baytown Boys #14) - Maryann Jordan Page 0,52

on the beach that night, sobered up, and the next day walked into the recruiting station.”

Her fingers squeezed, and he heard the sharp intake of her breath. Lifting his gaze, he watched her blink away the moisture that had gathered in her eyes as she said, “I think that’s the bravest thing I’ve ever heard.”

The sounds of other patrons’ conversations mixed with the background music coming from the restaurant’s bar floated all around, but Joseph was sure he could hear his own heartbeat roaring in his ears. Uncertain what to say, he waited while she continued.

“To have a secure future laid out for you but feeling as though you would sell your soul if you gave into that… wow, Joseph, how brave of you to strike out on your own.”

They stayed silent, unspoken words passing between them until jumping in surprise when the server brought their dinners. Relief poured over him, needing to step back from his personal episode of fuckin’ true confessions. Easing off the heavy conversation, they dug into their food. She reached over and speared some of his crispy clam strips after plopping one of her fried shrimp onto his plate. They continued to share their seafood, watching as the sun slipped lower into the horizon.

“I never get tired of the sunsets here,” she said, laying her fork down and patting her belly. Grinning, she added, “This is the best. Good food, good conversation, good company.”

Her words wrapped around him, easing into the crevices of the cold wall he’d spent years building. “Yeah.” He couldn’t think of anything else to say but she appeared unconcerned. He’d wanted their date to go well but had no idea what to expect.

After paying their bill, it felt natural to link fingers with her again, guiding her around the side of the restaurant toward the harbor. They walked along the water, chatting about the fishing boats that were coming in with their catch and wondering about the voyages of some of the privately-owned sailboats.

The sun had set, and he wrapped his arm around her, tucking her in tightly as they made their way back to the parking lot. Standing next to his bike, he cupped her face with both of his hands, his thumb sweeping over the apples of her cheeks. His chest ached with want but he hesitated, fearful of her not feeling the same overwhelming desire. Her gaze dropped to his mouth as her lips opened slightly. He accepted what he hoped was a silent invitation, need overtaking fear. Bending, he kissed her. The feel of her lips nearly caused his knees to buckle, and he tightened his hold on her to steady his legs.

She yielded immediately, and the tingle that met his own lips zipped straight through him, striking his heart as well as zinging to his cock. Her hands clung to his shoulders, her fingers digging in as the kiss flamed. What started as a simple touch of lips became a tongues-tangling, noses-bumping, fingers-grasping, lungs-bursting kiss. Finally, he lifted his head, clutching her closely to his chest as he sucked in gulps of air to clear his mind.

“We keep going like this, I’m going to forget where we are and create a public spectacle right here next to my bike.”

Her arms tightened around his waist. “We keep going like this, I’m gonna let you.”

A chuckle erupted, and he pulled her back slightly so that he could peer down into her face.

“I don’t want the date to end,” she confessed with her usual no-bullshit honesty.

“My apartment is only a few blocks away. Next to Jason’s garage, where your truck is parked.”

Her lips begin to curve. “That still seems a long way off.”

His chuckle was replaced with laughter. He turned and unlocked their helmets, handing her Rose’s. “Then we best get going.” This time, with Samantha on the back of his bike, her hands once again driving him to distraction, all he could think about was getting them to his place. Parking in the alley, he held out his hand, assisting her off. Swinging his leg over the seat, he reached out to take the helmet and his gaze landed on her upturned face. Her eyes were bright in the streetlight reflection and her lips were curved. And her trust in him was palpable.

He sucked in a quick breath, afraid he wasn’t worthy of that trust… but wished he was.

14

Samantha had noticed a specter of doubt seemed to move through Joseph’s eyes as they stood in the alley, but