Page 11 of Edging Desire

Those little tummy butterflies jump at the sound of the doorbell. After a last look in the mirror, I shove my feet into boots and grab my warmest winter coat. My heart is in my throat as I contemplate whether I’ll get the nerve to answer the door.

The brisk knock signals that I’ve been standing here long enough.

When he greets me with his heart-stopping smile, I swear I melt into a puddle at his feet. “I thought you might’ve changed your mind,” he says.

“I have a feeling you wouldn’t have let that happen.”

He winks sexily at me. “Got that right. A deal is a deal. You’re going to need a hat and gloves for this evening.”

“Got ’em right here.” I hold up my cream-colored hat and gloves for inspection.

Brad takes my hat from me and gently tugs it onto my head. My body feels all tingly just from the innocent touch of his hands on my hair and the warmth of his breath so close to my face. If I’m already feeling “The Brad Effect” this early in the night, I’m going to need to keep my distance from him.

Brad takes my hand and leads me outside. Though it is cold, it’s surprisingly pleasant since the wind isn’t blowing this evening. We round the bushes to Brad’s car, but instead of coming upon his parked car, there is a pair of beautiful white horses and an open carriage awaiting us.

“Brad! Tell me you didn’t,” I demand.

He looks a little sheepish. “Too much for a first date?”

Date? Who said date? No, no, no. I need to set this guy straight. “This isn’t a date. We said friends. You remember that, right?”

He lifts one shoulder in a shrug. “Yeah, of course. I meant like a friend kind of date. Not a date, date.”

I stop walking. “No, it’s not a date at all. Can’t we just go in your car?”

Oh, that irresistible smile again. “No can do, friend. I don’t have my car here. I came in the carriage. Come on, don’t be a chicken.”

My hands move to my hips, and I stare him down. “That’s low, calling me a chicken. I’m not scared. I just think there are more sensible ways to travel. We’re going to freeze in that thing.”

“The Winny I once knew wasn’t so concerned about being sensible. Come on. You know you’re gonna say yes.”

I’ve watched this same horse and carriage go by my house every winter for years. Though I’ve always wanted to go for a ride, I’ve never done it. Not that I’ll ever admit that to Brad.

Head held high, I stalk past him. “Fine. Let’s go. But it’s not a date.”

He chuckles behind me and jogs to catch up. “Yes, ma’am.”

Brad tries to help me up, but I swat his hand firmly away. “And no touching. Not a date and no touching,” I reiterate.

The carriage rocks as he bounces into the seat beside me. “Well, there’s only one blanket, so we’ll have to share. I’ll do my best not to touch, cross my heart.”

Except we’re already touching. The seat is small, so his leg is pushing up against mine. He pulls the blanket over us and then puts his arm around my back. And pulls me tight up against his side.

My eyes are shooting daggers at him, and he happily ignores it. “Just to confirm, is this doing your best not to touch?”

“It sure is.”

The driver turns from his seat up front. “Mr. Anders, I have the hot cocoa for you and your lovely date right here.” He passes the cups to Brad one at a time, and Brad presses one into my hand.

I’m half tempted to take my hot cocoa and dump it on Brad for setting up this not-a-date date. The other part of me is fighting the urge to relax in his warmth and just have fun in the moment.

The carriage lurches forward, and the sounds of hooves clopping on the pavement break the silence of the still night. The stars twinkle high in the sky, and the moon casts an ethereal glow on the streets while the carriage sways in a gentle rhythm.

After about ten minutes of comfortable silence, I notice we’ve turned off the main road. “Where are we going?”

“Right here,” Brad answers as the carriage comes to a stop.

Brad jumps down and holds out his hand to help me. This time, I took his help. When the driver gets a sled out of the back of his carriage and hands it to us, I can’t help but get excited and a little nostalgic. The last time I rode on a sled was four years ago… with Brad. I wonder if he remembers that?