Teasing Quinn was fast becoming my new favorite pastime. The sexual energy between us was off the charts. When she stepped into the room wearing nothing but my clothes, it took every bit of strength I had not to pounce. Now, she was bringing out plates and utensils for us to enjoy our meal on the back deck. This domestic way with her tonight was giving me all sorts of hope for what a future could hold.

"Steaks are almost ready." I smiled as she leaned over the porch railing, admiring the land around us. "Hope you're hungry."

"I'm starving!"

We worked together, serving ourselves the homemade meal. I was a bit impressed with myself and hoped she would enjoy it as well. We ate in comfortable silence at first as we filled our bellies. I was sipping a beer, and Quinn enjoyed a glass of sweet tea. I offered a beverage, but she declined, and I hoped that was because she wanted to see where the night would take us.

"I think I'm finally hooked on sweet tea." She confessed.

"Oh, yea?"

"It's taken me a bit, but now I think I'm hooked like a native southerner." Her laugh was sweet as honey.

"Pretty sure it's put in all baby bottles the day of birth."

"You think so?" She raised a brow with a laugh. Everything was so comfortable and easy with her tonight; I kicked myself for not having the balls to ask her out before now. Once our meal was long gone, she insisted on helping me put things away. "Thank you for dinner; best meal I've had in a while." She complimented, leaning against the counter. "You totally could have kept the shirt off, though, while grilling."

"Ah, you had to keep your focus on the amazing food." I tapped my temple and pointed at her. "I do have dessert if you'd like. Or we can relax for a bit on the deck... Perhaps the swing you love so much?"

"Oh, the swing! Yes, that sounds amazing." The excitement in her eyes gave me life. I quickly grabbed a throw pillow and blanket to take out with us. Quinn grabbed water for each of us and followed me out. The night had gone by quickly, and it was dark, the sky thankfully full of stars with a slight breeze. I set the pillow up and indicated for her to have a seat; I scooted closer to her, pulling her legs across my lap as we had been weeks before. I fluffed the blank out and covered us, leaning back with a content sigh.

"Thank you," I spoke softly, looking straight ahead. "For demanding this date." My body shook as I laughed. "I just wanted to go slow, not to overwhelm you, and with everything that had gone on, I just didn't want to be that guy, that pushy guy." When I turned toward her, Quinn watched me with the kindest eyes. Thankfully she gave me a smile while reaching for my hand.

"Thank you for making this date so amazing. I know you're a good guy, Wade. I appreciate everything you've done for me and how you've treated me. For so long, I was running and scared. I felt like a constant victim. I'm not running or scared anymore, though. I'm definitely not a victim, not anymore."

I felt such pride for her, taking charge of her life and continuing to be such a badass. Life had definitely thrown some curve balls her way and each time, she hit right back. Even the day I met her, she could have easily given up, but she didn't. She pressed on, and all of that got her to this new life she was leading. I did my best to tell her as much, but my words though were not coming out in the best way. She just smiled sweetly, holding onto my hand as we were snuggled together, rocking back and forth in the swing.

"Bottom line, I think you're amazing, Quinn. I've never met anyone like you, and I'm so glad that I have."

"Thank God my clunker decided to die on the side of the road that day." She adjusted herself and placed my hand on her bare leg as she rested her arm behind me, fingers twirling in my hair. "She's going to live forever now with all the work you put into it."

"I had to make sure you had a reliable ride." I closed my eyes, leaning into her touch. "Couldn't have some other guy coming to your rescue, now could I?"

"Wade?"

"Mmhmm?"

"Will you kiss me?" She barely had the words out this time before I pulled her by the chin toward me. I stared into her eyes for a moment before I put my lips against hers. Our lips parted, tongues danced, and neither of us held anything back. The first kiss by the creek was sweet and sexy; this kiss was hot and bothered and had me wanting to take her right here, right now.

When I pulled back, I had to tell her. "That night, when you asked me to kiss you, I wanted to so badly, Quinn. You have no idea the restraint I showed. You came out here looking so sexy in those pajamas, tempting me and then asking me to kiss you! Oh, you have no idea how much I wanted to do that and how good it feels to do it now."

"You told me already. That night you came home drunk, and I put you to bed. I just didn't believe it; I thought you were talking about someone else." She sheepishly confessed.

"Someone else." I scoffed. "I haven't stopped thinking about you and only you since the moment I saw you." I held her face in my hand, lightly stroking with my thumb as I spoke. Our moment was interrupted by the sound of coyotes, uncomfortably close.

"Is that? Will they?" She was on her feet in a split second, looking all around in alarm.

"Coyotes. They usually don't get that close, but we can go inside if that would make you feel better." I grabbed the blanket and pillow, then took her hand and led her back into the house.

"It's getting pretty late." She bit into her bottom lip, looking around the living room.

"Yea?" I questioned, hoping she wasn't trying to end our date already. I was enjoying every moment. "I'm not ready for the date to be over yet if you're not."

"Truth?"

"Yes, please."

"I'm not even close to being ready for the date to be over." Looking a little unsure of herself, she stepped toward me, sliding her hands underneath my t-shirt. "I've been dying to see these tattoos up close." My whole body came alive, feeling her hands on my bare skin. My restraint was no longer there.

"Quinn... can we? I'm so tired of pretending I don't want you in every way, painfully so." I leaned my forehead against hers, growling the words out as desire took over. Her hands continued to push my shirt up until I had no choice but to remove it. Her eyes were dazed with lust, and I silently thanked whatever entity had granted me this beautiful woman in my arms tonight.

"I'm so tired of denying myself because of what seems to be the proper thing." Her words were so soft I could barely hear her. "I want you, Wade, so badly.