Chapter 32

As I jogged away, I grinned like a fool. Mary Ellen had looked at me with a small smile playing on her lips and a sexy flush on her cheeks, which told me all was not lost. It was the first honest moment we had shared since that disastrous night at Murray's party, and it had gone so much better than I could have hoped.

I didn't wake up this morning thinking I would see Mary Ellen, but life was full of surprises. My whole day felt like it had turned around after talking to her—and making plans for dinner.

Somehow, the stars had aligned, and she was willing to give me a chance. There was no way I would waste it. Tonight, I was going to do all I could to impress her. I was going to show her I wasn't a hardened criminal.

I could be soft and romantic. I could be the man she first fell for and trusted with her biggest secret. She trusted me to make love to her. I wanted to show her I was still that same man. The past mistakes did not change who I was.

I got home after my run and headed upstairs to take a shower. Cole stepped out of his room in his underwear and nothing else. His hair was sticking up every which way, so clearly, he was just getting out of bed at the early hour of noon.

"Mornin'," he muttered. "Been out already?"

"Yep." I nodded. "I went for a run."

"Is there coffee?"

"If you make some, there is," I replied with just a hint of irritation.

"Alright. Want some?"

"No, I'm good, thanks. I'm hitting the shower and then I've got to go out."

"More fundraiser stuff?" he asked.

"Yeah." I wasn't going to tell him about my date with Mary Ellen. I couldn't say why, but I just didn't want to.

I walked into my room and shut the door. It was something I found myself doing more often these days, including locking it too. Putting my complicated roommate arrangement out of my head, I moved into the ensuite bathroom and ran the hot water.

The promise of an evening with Mary Ellen had me feeling exhilarated and nervous at the same time. I stepped into the shower and let the hot water loosen the tension in my limbs. Then it was into my closet to look for something a little dressier than my usual tee shirt and faded jeans.

I didn't want her to see me as a rough biker, but as a man who could clean up and shine when circumstances called for it. I settled on a navy blue button-up shirt and dark jeans, paired with black boots.

I pulled up to Mary Ellen's place to pick her up a few minutes early. I couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement. She had hated me for not telling her about my past, but this was another chance to prove I wasn't that guy anymore.

I walked up to the door and rang the bell, hoping like hell she hadn't had a change of heart. The door opened to reveal her smiling face. She wore a cute spring dress and her hair was curled. Her bright eyes could light up the entire city. I found myself momentarily stunned by her beauty.

Was she putting in extra effort for our date, or was I just reading too much into it? I had certainly dressed up for her.

"Hi," I greeted her. "Ready?"

"I am." She nodded.

I walked her to the car and opened the door for her. My mind flashed back to the last time I had her in my car.

"Where are we going for dinner?" she asked once we were buckled up.

"It's a surprise."

"It better not be some fancy place," she said with a laugh. "I'm not dressed for fancy."

"I assure you, it's not fancy and you look beautiful enough to fit in anywhere."

"Thank you. You look nice as well."

"I clean up well," I said, grinning.

"Yes, you do. You were quite the sweaty mess earlier."

"What were you doing at the park today?" I asked. "Stalking me?"

"We were looking at an apartment in the area," she answered.

"It's a nice neighborhood," I told her. "I like running in that park. It doesn't get too busy and it has really nice trails."

"You run a lot?" she asked.

I nodded. "Yeah, it clears my head."

"What about your home gym?"

I grimaced. "I know it's a big house, but let's just say, it's a little crowded right now."

"Your roommate," she said.

"Yes. When I'm in the gym, I like to be alone. I don't want to chit chat. I want the music loud and I just want to do my thing."

"And he doesn't let you?"

"It isn't that, but it's just been weird. I don't know. I'm being a dick. Sometimes he wants to work out with me, or he is sleeping and doesn't want the music up. And I like running. It was a nice morning. Running gives me time to think."

"And he doesn't go out to run with you?" she asked, looking curious.

"I've offered, but no," I answered with a laugh. "He's more of a night owl, I guess. Says he does his best thinking in the middle of the night. I'm definitely more of a morning person."

"I can see that," she said with a smile.

I pulled into a strip mall, driving around to the back loading area and employee entrances. "Are we sneaking in somewhere?" she asked.

I laughed. "No. Sit tight. I'll be right back. I need to grab something."

I rang the bell and waited. An old friend met me with a box in hand. "Thanks," I said. "I appreciate this."

He grinned. "Good luck."

"I think I need it." I carried the box back and put it in the trunk alongside the backpack I had brought along.

Mary Ellen frowned when I got back in the car. "Exactly what are we doing?"

"It's nothing illegal," I told her. "We'll be there shortly."

I wanted her to say she trusted me, but I knew that was too much to hope for. I supposed I hadn't really considered how my secrecy might look a little suspect. She had just found out I did a prison stint and I was sneaking in through back doors and hiding packages in the trunk. I just hoped she would give me the benefit of the doubt. Once she saw what I had, she would be pleasantly surprised—I hoped.

Nearly an hour later, after driving through winding roads, we arrived at Cedar Hill Park.

"I'm confused," she said.

"You won't be for much longer."

I grabbed my backpack and slipped it on, carrying the wooden box I picked up. "This way," I said and led her through a woodsy path.

"I think I read about this in a book once," Mary Ellen joked.

"I'm not that kind of felon," I teased.

She laughed and stayed beside me. I liked that we could joke about it a bit. My past wasn't still some big dark cloud hanging over us.

We arrived at a gorgeous rocky beach outcrop with a beautiful view of Joe Pool Lake. I knew the place well and knew we would have privacy. The sun was beginning to set, but we still had a good hour before it would be dark.

"What are we doing here?" she asked as she looked around.

It was the perfect spot for a romantic evening, secluded and serene, with the gentle lapping of the water against the shore and the soft sounds of nature all around us. I could feel my stress melting away.

"Surprise," I said with a grin. "I thought we could enjoy a quiet evening by the water."

"This is amazing," she breathed, turning to me with a look of gratitude. "I love it."

I unzipped my backpack and pulled out the blanket. With her help, we spread it out. Next came the bottle of sparkling cider and the plastic champagne flutes I brought along. "Have a seat," I said.

I knelt beside her and opened the box. I heard her sharp intake of breath. "Holy crap," she gasped. "Look at all of that!"

"I have an old friend that owns that shop," I told her.

The box was filled with cheese, meats, dried fruits, and little desserts. I pulled the assortment of crackers I brought along as well.

"Wow, you really went all out," she said, her voice filled with surprise.

"I may be a convict," I told her, a grin tugging at my lips. "But that doesn't mean I can't do romance."

"And here I thought our date was going to be robbing a convenience store or something," she teased, reaching into the box to pick out a piece of cheese.

"Next time," I said dryly, opening the bottle of cider. The sharp pop echoed loudly in the quiet evening air. I poured us each a glass. We enjoyed the finger foods and the scenery.

"This is really nice," she said. "I've never been out here. I've been to the lake but not this section."

"I found this place a long time ago," I told her.

"It's beautiful," she said again.

"Mary Ellen, I want to apologize," I started. "I should have told you from the beginning. I wish I could go back and start over. I should have been honest with you from the start. I'm sorry I didn't give you the chance to make your own decision about whether or not you wanted to be with someone like me. I shouldn't have kept it from you. If I made you feel unsafe, I'm sorry. You have to know I would never hurt you emotionally or physically. I'm not that kind of guy. I've learned a valuable lesson. I promise I will never make the same mistake again."

Mary Ellen leaned over and kissed me, her lips soft and warm against mine. My heart skipped a beat. It was not the reaction I expected.

"I didn't kiss you to shut you up," she said softly, pulling back to look me in the eye. "I kissed you because I wanted to. I'm not afraid of you, and I'm not afraid of your past. I just wish you had trusted me enough to share it sooner."

Guilt washed over me. "I should've. It was wrong of me not to. I planned to. It wasn't like I was intentionally hiding it, but it's not something that just comes up in conversation."

She nodded, her hand reaching out to squeeze mine. "This is a good start at making it right."

"Good because I want to make it right," I said. "You tell me what I can do and I'll do it."

"You're already doing it," she said and slid into my lap, straddling me with her fingers tangling in my hair. "This picnic is probably about the most romantic thing I've ever done."

She leaned forward and kissed me again. I couldn't help but lose myself in the sensation of her lips on mine. This was a better outcome than I had hoped for. I had just wanted her to talk to me. This was so much better.

As we finally pulled away, breathless and flushed with desire, Mary Ellen flashed me a sexy little smile. Her eyes danced with mischief.

"You know all the right things to say." She smiled. "It's like we read the same books or something."

I chuckled at her words. "I'm not reading them strictly for entertainment value. Self-help comes in many ways. I find it easier to digest the information when it's delivered with a little spice."

She giggled then, an actual blushing schoolgirl giggle that tugged at my heart. "Well, it seems like your reading material is working wonders," she said. Her hands moved down to the sides of my face, her thumbs tracing my jawline.

I closed my eyes, treasuring the feel of her gentle touch. It was a touch I had wanted to feel for weeks. "I'm glad you believe me," I said softly.

"Of course I do," she answered with a light squeeze of my shoulders. "Your actions speak louder than any book."

I opened my eyes and peered into hers. "I'm going to keep using my actions to prove I'm not someone you ever have to fear or be ashamed of."