Their next destination thrilled her so much she almost clapped with delight. A county fair! She hadn't been to one of these in ages. They parked the car and strolled down the midway, inhaling scents, goggling at the sights. At some point John casually took her hand in his and she reveled in the warmth and strength of him.
John pointed out a shooting gallery. "You might be fairly good at Putt-Putt, sport, but how's your shot?"
"Fairly good? I beat you by fifteen strokes, buddy."
He steered her toward the booth. "It's rude to rub it in."
"And it's rude to try to bolster your male pride by challenging me to a shooting contest, especially since you've been wearing a gun most of your life."
"Those guns were just sissy little Glocks. These are rifles. Big difference."
"I've never held a gun in my life, and I'm not about to begin now." She said.
"Chicken."
"That's right. But don't get me lone in the dark with a putter in my hands."
He almost choked. She didn't understand what was so funny about that until it occurred to her that what she'd said could be taken a couple of ways. She smacked his arm. "Men!"
"Come on." He said, dragging her to another booth, bypassing the shooting gallery, she realized thankfully. "How do you feel about water pistols?"
"I think I can handle one of those."
Ten minutes later Aubrie walked away with a teddy bear. Unfortunately, John had won it.
"You know, if you ever get into a mortal water-pistol shoot-out, you'd be a goner." He said.
"Gloating is so rude."
He grinned. "I know. Your humility after the Putt-Putt win was an inspiration."
Aubrie looked down and smiled.
"How do you feel about Ferris wheels?" He asked, draping an arm across her shoulders.
"Love them."
"Then let's go."
They climbed in and within seconds were underway. After a few breathtaking turns, they found themselves stopped at the top of the wheel. "Nice view." Aubrie said.
"Beautiful." John responded, but he wasn't looking at the fair beneath them.
She caught her breath as their eyes met. And before God and everyone else, John lowered his mouth to hers. Their lips were a little chilled from the wind, but they warmed up fast. And Aubrie felt almost high on something as her senses all came to life. His mouth moved over hers, coaxing and demanding, soft and hard. She didn't know how to explain it. She just knew it could go on forever and she'd be happy.
She was so lost in the sensation of him; she didn't even feel them begin to move. Not until they came to a slightly jerky stop. And she heard someone loudly clearing his throat.
Reluctantly she broke the kiss, then almost squealed with mortification when she realized they were down on the platform and the ride attendant was waiting for them to unload.
"Oh!" She said, trying to untangle their limbs, which had somehow become intertwined during the kiss.
"Sorry about that." John said to the man, but there wasn't a speck of regret in his tone. Instead he was laughing.
Aubrie tried to make the best of it and gave the man a wobbly smile. But she wanted to disappear in a puff of smoke when the people waiting in line to board the ride began applauding.
John hadn't had this much fun in he couldn't remember how long. Even getting his butt kicked at Putt-Putt had been a blast. He'd suspected after their date at the drive-in that Aubrie would prefer simple pleasures to opulent wooing.
And her delight was like an aphrodisiac that just kept on giving. He had hoped she'd be willing to play instead of go the snob route, and he hadn't been disappointed at all.
After watching a magic act that had her oohing and ahhing with wonder, He said. "Hungry."
"Oh yes."
"Well, good, because the next show's about to begin. But first I need to get something from the car."
They hurried back out to the parking lot and John retrieved the picnic basket Jamie had prepared for them. Aubrie's eyes lit up, and right there, and then John decided he'd like to spend the rest of his life surprising her. Which was a scary thought, but he didn't want to spoil the night by analyzing the notion too closely. He steered her down a cobblestone path to the left of the main festivities. It led them into a small patch of maples and oaks and weeping cherry trees.
When they emerged into a clearing, Aubrie gasped. Smack-dab in the center of a large grass area was a picturesque lake. Other people had settled on the lawn but they had no trouble finding a fairly secluded spot under a huge maple. John opened the basket and pulled out a plaid blanket he'd laid on top. He draped it over the ground and they settled down.
"Ready for some sustenance?"
"That depends. Did Jamie prepare this, or did you?"
"You're a real card. And I'll have you know, I can cook. I've been a bachelor for a long, long time."
She went still. "I thought you said you'd never been married."
He shook his head. "Not even once."
She gnawed on her lower lip, then asked. "Ever come close to tying the knot?"
John busied himself sorting through the basket. Finally, when he felt her eyes on his and realized she expected an answer, he said. "Sort of close, yeah. Many years ago."
"What happened?"
He touched his fingers to her cheek. "You know, I'm having a great time tonight."
She nodded. "I understand. You don't want me to spoil it by asking about things that are none of my business."
"I didn't say or mean that. I meant I don't want to spoil it for either of us by bringing up a subject that tends to sour a mood."
"Gotcha. I'm sorry I asked."
"Don't be. Really. I'm not hiding anything. In fact, you make me want to tell you all about the past. But just not tonight."
She smiled and nodded again. "So did Jamie make the picnic?"
"Yes. But I could have if I'd had time!"
Aubrie patted his leg. "Of course you could."
He growled at her, but then turned his attention back to unpacking their dinner.
"It smells delicious." She said, leaning over the basket to get a peek. That brought their lips in dangerously close proximity. John was nothing if not an opportunist, and he leaned an inch closer and kissed her, marveling at the softness he found there.
She pulled back far too soon, but he assumed she felt shy about too much PDA, especially after being embarrassed by the crowd at the Ferris wheel. He was no exhibitionist, but it didn't bother him in the least to be seen kissing her. Who wouldn't envy him? "I'd rather be kissing you than eating."
"Tough. I'm hungry and this smells delicious."
He noticed a folded note and grunted. "Jamie says I'm supposed to ask you if you're allergic to any foods."
"Nope."
"Do you like artichokes, caviar, cheese, fruit?"
"Yes, yes, yes, and yes."
Aubrie savored all the offering, licking her fingers clean and moaning in pleasure with each new taste. Her unconsciously erotic actions drove John crazy with desire and he longed to make her moan like that with another type of pleasure. By the time she patted her tummy and said. "I couldn't eat another bite." Mark was aroused almost to the point of pain. He opened his mouth to suggest they leave instantly when the scheduled fireworks display began across the lake. Aubrie sat up in delight, softly clapping her hands together in excitement. He groaned inwardly and gritted his teeth, hoping the show was a really, really short one.
Strangely enough, John was content to hold Aubrie during the fireworks, letting her use his shoulder to pillow her head. The most kissing that went on under the tree was when he nuzzled her temple occasionally, just to feel her skin and inhale her shampoo.
The fireworks were spectacular, and the company was spectacular, and he hadn't felt this good in a long time. They strolled to the car in silence. He did not want the night to end, but he cared about her feelings too much insult her by making any assumptions "Do you want me to take you home?"
"Do you want to take me home? I'm sure I look like hell."
"You're beautiful. And I have an alternative. But you have every right to say no."
"What is it?"
"I arranged to borrow a small hunting lodge about ten miles from here from a friend of mine." He pulled her head close just in case she looked at him in disgust or outrage. "Only if you'd like to." He said. "I will not be upset if you'd just like to end the date now. My intent wasn't to get you in bed, Aubrie. It would be my wish, but it wasn't my intent. My only aim for the night was to finally spend some times alone with you."
"Were you disappointed?"
"Would I be asking you to spend the night with me if I were disappointed? This was the nicest date of my life. That's the truth, I promise you."
"Nice sounds boring."
"Nice isn't boring. Nice means no awkward moments. Nice means laughing and playing and eating and holding you. Nice means spending time with you has no hidden agenda. I could take you home right now and still smile about this night for years."
She looked up at him with tears in her eyes, but she didn't appear distressed. And he noticed that she was a pretty crier. Some women just didn't cry well. Right now, he could stare into those watery blue eyes for weeks. Or months. Or years.
"I've always wanted to stay at a hunting lodge." She whispered.
"I was hoping you'd say that. It still isn't a demand for anything but a good night's sleep."
"Are you kidding? Gramps didn't make me carry a new toothbrush in my purse for nothing."
John laughed and leaned down to the abandoned picnic basket at their feet. He pulled out the final unused item inside—a toothbrush.
Her laughter was soggy. "Jamie?"
"Jamie." He sighed. "Speaking of which, I have to call her to let her know I won't be coming home."
Aubrie chuckled softly. "And I need to call Gramps."
Their eyes met and in perfect unison they said. "Porch lights."
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