Chapter 6
“EVENING, MERCY.”
Damn that drawl gets me every time. Shane stands before me, holding two small bouquets of flowers and a pink box that looks like it may hold a cake. I should be drooling over what is inside the box or swooning at the flowers in his hand. I’m not. Instead I’m, once again, rendered speechless.
Foregoing his cowboy hat, I’m now able to confirm the tousled hair Shane had at the diner was not from his hat. No, this is an intentional style. You know, that Hollywood-actor-who-just-had-sex kind of hair. It’s a thing. His lush lips are curved into a mischievous grin, that damn dimple teasing me while his eyes, as deep as the darkest chocolate, crinkle at the sides.
“Are you just going to stand there and stare at me or let me in?”
Jerk. Rolling my eyes, I step aside to grant him entrance but not before snatching the cake from his hand. “I’ve got that,” I mumble as I lift the lid of the box just enough to inhale the delicious aroma of a freshly baked cake.
Shane walks past me and toward the kitchen with familiarity, stopping only to pet and acknowledge Underpants. For the briefest moment I realize I’m the outsider here. Vera, Sam, and Shane all know one another and have history. I have nothing to contribute to this evening other than an embarrassing attraction to Shane and a slight buzz from two margaritas.
By the time I’ve made my way into the kitchen with the cake, Vera is running water into two vases and Shane is lifting a frosty beer bottle to his lips while watching me walk into the room. I look from his mouth to his eyes and back down. I see a smirk appear behind the bottle and roll my eyes again.
“You’re quite talented there,” Shane teases as he reaches for the box in my hands and sets it on the counter behind him.
“Sweetie, did you see what Shane brought? Flowers. I assume one of these is yours, but I wanted to get them in water straight away.”
“Uh, thanks? And what do you mean talented?”
“You’re welcome. Yes, Vera those are for both of you ladies. Every lady deserves flowers now and again.”
“Whatever,” I mumble as I walk to the pitcher and top off my margarita. Sam and Vera are talking about dinner when I feel Shane step up behind me. Shivers skirt across my skin, causing it to break out in goosebumps. I feel his breath on my neck before I hear him speak any words.
“You’re a talented eye roller. Didn’t your mama ever tell you eventually your eyes will roll straight back into your head if you keep doing that?”
With my back still to him, I pause before turning to speak. I must gather my wits because if he continues to stand this close to me, the heat from his body warming me while his breath tickles my neck sending contradictory shivers up my spine, I’ll completely melt into a puddle of hormonal goo.
“No, she didn’t. In fact, my mama used to help me practice. It’s why I’m a masterful eye roller.”
Smiling, Shane winks at me before turning his attention to Vera and Sam. The three of them begin chatting about people and events I don’t know about so instead of standing here like a fourth wheel, I set my glass down and grab the two vases of flowers and get to setting them out in the house. I place one on the dining room table and another on the entry table near the front door.
Vera shouts for me to join them on the back deck and I reluctantly return to the kitchen for a glass of water to balance out my third . . . maybe fourth . . . margarita. At this point, who’s keeping track? Stepping onto the deck, I see Vera and Sam sitting on rattan chairs, their feet propped up on a double ottoman, while Shane sits on what can only be described as an extra-large rattan chair or very small couch. The only option to sit is next to Shane, so I take the empty space but sit perched on the very edge effectively putting as much distance as possible between us. The last thing I need to do is find my leg brushing his. Or, heaven forbid, find his arm slung behind me. Yeah, I don’t need that kind of temptation.
The trio effectively pulls me into conversation, and after a few minutes, I relax and begin to feel less like an outsider. I’m still perched on the edge of the seat, but my back is less rigid and my laughter is in abundance. Vera never ceases to make me laugh. After another beer for Shane and Sam, the guys agree it’s time to throw the steaks on the grill. I join Vera in the kitchen to finish preparing the salad and gather the place settings for dinner.
The steaks are grilled to perfection and the conversation is natural and fun. Feeling as though I indulged in a holiday meal instead of a simple cookout, I know if I don’t get up and move I’ll fall asleep soon. These early mornings and long shifts are exhausting. I’m sure by the time I leave Mason, my internal clock will have adjusted to this schedule. I may have to look for a job in Austin with a similar schedule just to keep my body from revolting against me.
Excusing myself from the table, I go to the kitchen to begin cleaning when Vera joins me. We work in comfortable silence rinsing plates, loading the dishwasher, and wiping counters before she breaks the quiet spell.
“What do you think of Shane?”
“I haven’t really,” I reply non-committedly. Liar, liar, pants on fire!
“Mmhmm. Well, I think he likes you. Maybe you should go out with him.”
I laugh before picking up a dishtowel to dry my hands. I look at Vera who is smiling like a teenager the day they have their braces removed. “I’m only here a few more days, I don’t need to date anyone.”
“I said go out with the boy, not marry him.”
“Who is marrying who?” Shane asks, walking in the kitchen and tossing his empty beer bottle in the garbage.
“Nobody,” I reply before Vera has a chance.
“Hey kids, would you be dears and take Underpants for his walk? Normally Sam and I would, but my back is bothering me, and walking is a pain.”
Shooting a look at Vera that conveys just how full of crap she is, I take the leash she’s holding toward me. Underpants must hear the leash rattle because he’s sitting in front of me in seconds, tail wagging and tongue peeking out from his mouth.
“Sure. What do you say, Mercy? Take a stroll down the street with me?” Shane smiles at me and like I can deny him when he pulls out the dimple. Seriously, does this guy have no shame?
“Fine, but we’re making this snappy. I want some cake, and I have to get some sleep; I’m exhausted.”
Shane takes the leash from my hands and drops to one knee, tapping his leg for Underpants to come to him. Once he’s secured the leash, we head out the front door, leaving Vera and Sam once again whispering in the kitchen.
Silence is golden on most occasions. I welcome the quiet and solitude of an after-dinner walk under the stars. Alone. With Shane? It’s torture. I feel like I need to fill the silence with words. Humor. Questions. Something. Surely, he feels it too. The need to fill the void between us. Or at the very least, to address the elephant in the room, err on the street.
I’m about to speak up when he does the one thing I never expected him to do. He grabs my hand and laces our fingers together. Suddenly, the silence doesn’t feel as deafening. The void I felt seconds ago is gone. Perhaps it’s because my hand fits perfectly in his. Or maybe it’s because my heart is pounding so hard I can feel it in my ears. Whatever the reason, this feels right. And that is so very wrong.
“This okay?”
“Well, it’s too late now if it isn’t. If I take my hand back, I’m a jerk. If I leave it, you may have the wrong idea. You’ve really put me in a pickle, Shane.”
Chuckling, he stops us while Underpants sniffs around on a neighbor’s lawn. I look up at him, and he’s not looking at me or our four-legged companion. He’s staring up at the stars and smiling.
“Care to share what’s so funny?” I ask as I realize how comforting I find his calloused hand clasped with the softness of my own. There’s something simple and endearing about the contrast.
“Nothing’s funny. I’m trying to figure out how to respond without scaring you away. I think you’re a little skittish, Mercy, and I don’t want you to run.” I watch as he slowly lowers his gaze from the star-filled abyss above and looks me in the eye. I want to believe he’s playing me, but I only see sincerity and kindness in his eyes. He’s right. I’m a runner. I don’t stay. I’m not staying.
“You don’t know me well enough to have that assessment. In fact, you don’t know me at all,” I say untangling my hand from his and grabbing the leash before continuing our walk. Underpants seems happy to have me in charge of this walk now because he picks up his pace and Shane has to jog to catch up to us. His hand grabs my arm and tugs me to a stop, turning me toward him.
“You’re right. I don’t know you, but I want to. I can’t explain it, but the moment I saw you at Maye’s the other day, I wanted to know you. That’s not true, I felt like I already did. Instantly. It was weird. Look, I know you don’t plan on sticking around Mason longer than you have to. Vera clued me in on your plans and how you’re heading to Austin. I get it. I’d just like to hang out a little while you’re here. Hold your hand, take you to dinner, and maybe if you’ll indulge me—” he says before taking the leash from me with one hand while the other wraps around my waist tugging me toward him.
I haven’t spoken a word and maintain my silence as I raise a brow in his direction urging him to finish his thought. He smiles, and slowly begins lowering his face level to mine. I look deep into his eyes as he continues. “If you’ll indulge me, I’d love nothing more than to kiss those beautiful pink lips of yours. It’s all I’ve thought about for days.”
Not allowing me to respond, he takes my silence as permission and lays his lips upon mine. I’ve heard girlfriends refer to a “zing” when they’ve been kissed. I’ve never experienced anything remotely close to that feeling before. I’ve been kissed by some amazing guys and still, no “zing.” Until now. Now I get it. The moment his lips touch mine, a jolt of electricity courses through my body. Shane’s grip strengthens as he pulls me closer to him, and I wrap my arms around his neck. That movement shifts our bodies perfectly in sync, and I let out a small purr, which parts my lips, inviting him in. He doesn’t hesitate, and the moment his tongue sweeps in my mouth, I know I’m a goner. No other kiss will ever compare to this, and I fear no man will take me to the place this one kiss has.
A dog’s bark startles me, and I pull back from Shane. We both smile and laugh when we look down to find Underpants tangled between our legs. Looking at each other the laughter dies down and we both stand there like idiots smiling at one another.
“Let me spend time with you before you leave. No promises and no demands. Just fun and maybe more of that kissing.” I’d be a fool to say no.
“No promises and no demands?” I ask. Shane nods in agreement. Instead of responding, I take the leash and untangle Underpants before turning and holding my hand out to Shane who smiles and accepts the gesture. “So, Shane,” I begin, “what are your thoughts on horseback riding?” This gets me a full belly laugh from Shane. I mean, if he’s going to entertain me for the next week, I might as well get a few rides out of the deal.