As his gaze roamed over her face, his brows pulled together in a fierce frown. “You have laugh lines.”
To keep a burst of laughter in, she pressed her lips together and then worked her face into a serious expression. “It’s never nice to point out a woman’s wrinkles. Though, if we’re being honest with each other, you could use a few laugh lines.” She circled her index finger in front of his face. “You’ve got that curmudgeon look down to a science.”
Again those lips didn’t even begin to initiate a smile. Wow. Curmudgeon might not be that far off. Not that he appeared old—not with a body like his—but his features carried a haggard edge to them, especially around the eyes. And in those eyes was a sadness that made her wonder what had put it there.
“Sorry,” he said. “You just seemed so young before. But I can see now you’re not as young as I first thought.”
Another chuckle tried to erupt. She mock-scowled. “Are you calling me old?”
Being mistaken for a kid in her early twenties happened on a regular basis. That was, until they got a really good look at her. However, having her crow’s-feet pointed out was a first.
“I’m just stating an observation.”
“Fair enough.” She pointedly nodded her head at the ATV. “Get on.”
Mac muttered, “What the hell,” and climbed on behind her. Muscular thighs surrounded her hips, causing tingles to erupt over her. She wanted to feel his chest pressed into her back, his hands wrapped around her waist, but he didn’t move to hang on to her.
We’ll see about that. She gunned the four-wheeler forward. As his body jerked back, his thighs instinctively clenched around her and his arms flew around her waist. She smiled.
Better.
“Hang on, handsome. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.”
She took off toward the wheat field that billowed behind the farmhouse. The heat of Mac’s touch seeped through her sundress and she inhaled a pleased breath. When she moved out here from Kansas City, she’d worried she’d have a hard time meeting someone, especially since the very hot Lance didn’t do a thing for her. Not that she would’ve started anything with him even if he had. Having a fling with her neighbor carried the risk of upsetting her day-to-day life. The men she chose to play with were temporaries, and when she moved on, seeing him every day wasn’t an option. Which made Mac perfect. Not only did he make everything inside her come to life, but he was out of here in a few weeks. Just long enough for her to scratch her itch.
She just had to get him on board—and she would.
Five minutes later, she stopped in the middle of the field. She loved this spot. It was far enough away from the houses so the artificial light didn’t dim the night sky. With no moon and the sun having set, they were in complete darkness. Stars glittered above them, and the canopy seemed to go on forever.
She climbed off the ATV and waited for Mac to stand. When he did, she stretched around him, making sure her breasts caressed his arm as she unhooked the picnic basket behind him. Every muscle in the man’s body tensed and he moved back into the same braced position he had when he met her. All he needed to do was bring his fists up next to his cheeks as she’d seen Lance do when he trained and he’d be in fighter mode.
Interesting.
Lifting the basket, she flipped on the ATV’s headlight, then carried the picnic things to the lit spot. She pulled a blanket out of the basket and spread it out over the ground.
As she did so, Mac relaxed his stance.
So the fighter didn’t like anyone getting near him. Even more interesting.
“Aren’t you worried about being out here alone with me?” he asked.
She strolled toward him until she was inches from him. Smiling, she looked up at him through lowered eyelashes. His entire body froze. She walked her fingers up his chest. Instantly, he shifted back into the same stance.
At his reaction, Gayle chuckled. “Lance has put his stamp of approval on you, so I don’t think I have anything to worry about.” She reached into the pocket of her dress. “Besides, I have this.”
She dangled the pepper spray from her fingers. Nodding, he grunted in approval. “At least you’re not completely reckless.”
Good. Lord. Even his praise was grumpy. Luckily for him, that made him all the more entertaining.
“Are you as hungry as I am?” To toy with him, she put a seductive undertone to the question.
A deep groove formed as his eyebrows dipped down, his suspicious gaze unwavering. “If you think we—”
“For food, handsome.” She winked, then walked over to the blanket and sat down. “Since someone was playing hard to get, I’m about an hour late for dinner and starving.”
A rushed exhale sounded behind her. “You really don’t hold back, do you?”
“Hmm. Has Lance been talking about me?”
“Just said you don’t have a filter and I needed to prepare.”