She grinned. “I should have known you were a Wheeler from that look in your eyes. My name is Stacy Groves.”
“Well, Stacy, it’s a pleasure to officially meet you,” I said.
Stacy tossed her head back in laughter, her arms wrapping around me without inhibition. I sought out the sweet nape of her neck as her body curved into mine. The passion we’d been toying with the entire evening was now left to run unfiltered as I lifted her into my truck. She never stopped kissing me. Her desperate need pushed my frenzied senses.
We weren't going to make it back to my place. Tugging her back down from the seat of my truck, she wrapped her legs around me as I carried her to the neighboring barn. As I laid down on the soft straw bedding, her dress rode up to her waist. It didn’t matter that we barely knew each other or that there were animals just a few feet away.
I’d found a woman that lit a passion inside of me I’d thought had long ago died. The night air consumed us, the sounds of nature our symphony as we came together in a heated moment of tender, undiluted passion. Tomorrow would be a new day, but for the night, I just wanted to be hers.
Chapter One (Stacy)
Two and a half years later
My hands were trembling as I looked over the paperwork. It was still hard to believe that I was there, signing documents that would forever change my life. I was prepared, there was no doubt in my mind. I’d taken my time and crossed off every metaphorical and financial box along the way. Still, the thought of owning my own gallery and moving into the apartment above it was intimidating.
“Everything okay?” Neil asked.
I nodded. “Everything is perfect. I just can't believe it’s really happening. Thank you so much for stopping over with the forms tonight.”
He slid his hand across the table. “I have to admit, when you agreed to meet me for dinner, the contract was the last thing on my mind.”
Heat jumped to my cheeks. “Neil, I can't thank you enough for everything that you’ve done. You really are a fantastic realtor and friend. I just don’t know if I’m ready to start dating just yet.”
His jaw clenched as he slid his hand away from mine. It was evident that he wasn’t thrilled with my answer. I knew that he would press the issue again when we closed on the property, but there was nothing I could do. Neil had gone above and beyond to get the sellers to let the property go for less since they were his family. Still, my morals weren’t for sale.
I hadn’t been with a man in years, and I wouldn’t start just, so Neil felt like he was getting something from the deal. It was infuriating that he kept pressing. Burying the anger deep down, I questioned my resolve once again to buy the property. If I couldn’t stop a man from hitting on me, how would I run my own gallery? The familiar wave of self-doubt crashed into me.
“We’ve been talking for weeks. I’ve done everything that you’ve asked me and really helped you out on this. I don’t get it, what the hell is wrong with me that you are too good to date me?”
“It isn’t like that, Neil. You should know that. I just don’t feel like right now is the best time.” I muttered. “Maybe after the gallery opens, okay?”
“You always have a reason for why it can't happen, is there ever going to be a 'right' time?”
I cringed. “Neil. I don’t want to do this again. I told you the first time that you asked me months ago that I wasn’t ready to date anyone.”
“But you didn’t tell me ‘no’ either.” He hissed. “Maybe you should stop leading people on.”
“I never led you on. If I did, that wasn’t my intention. I don’t understand why you think that I want anything more than a friendship. At what point did I offer anything more?” I snapped.
His eyes widened as he set the pen down. My heart sank. It seemed like every time he didn’t get the answer he wanted, the process of buying his parent's former storefront and rental were slowed.
“I seem to remember a pretty passionate kiss, not even a month ago. Maybe that isn’t leading people on where you are from, but around