I finally make it home and dad soon comes inside.

"Pumpkin, you ready?" he asks as he closes the door.

"Yeah, daddy. Let me grab my purse and we can head out."

We head to the diner and grab a booth inside. After a few minutes our waitress comes to ask for our order.

"Good afternoon, what are we ordering today?" Stella asks.

"Hey Stella, could I have the cheeseburger and fries with a coke?"

I'll have the chicken Caesar salad and a lemonade, please."

"Sure, thing guys, coming up."

We sit and talk for a little while until our food comes out. She brings it to us with our drinks and sets them down in front of us, and leaves us to dig in.

"So, how are things going?" he asks me.

"They're going great. I think I have decided to go to school in the spring."

"That's great news. Have you decided on where?"

"I am looking into the Art institute of Austin."

"That's a nice school, but it is not close."

"I know daddy, but it has the degree I need. You know I want to be an interior designer."

"I know pumpkin, but it is so far away."

"I will come home every holiday and some weekends."

"I know you will. I'm just going to miss you."

"I will miss you too."

We sit and talk for a while longer when I see Eric walk through the door with another guy and sit down. He looks over and sees me and a smile creeps across his lips and he winks. I quickly blush and smile back. Within seconds my phone beeps.

Text- You look beautiful today. Tell your dad that I said hello. I can't wait until Saturday.

Text- Thank you. I don't want to start anything with dad. I can't wait for Saturday either.

I look over and he is laughing. I can't help but laugh myself.

"What's so funny daughter?"

"Nothing, just something my friend just sent me."

"Oh, okay. Girl stuff, I get it." He laughed.

"Daaaddd!" I just shake my head, and gather our things and we head out. I turn my head and Eric is watching me leave. I smile and he smiles back at me. My stomach starts to flutter as I head out to the car, with my dad. We head home and dad drops me off as he heads back to work. I head inside to do my chores. The week slowly goes by. Eric texts or calls me everyday. I convinced him to meet me at the coffee shop for our date. Until I know where this is going, I don't think I should introduce him to dad yet.

"Hey daddy, I'm headed out!"

"Remember, I told you I was going out with some friends. I am meeting them at the coffee shop."

Oh, right! Don't stay out too late and have fun."

"I will daddy, see you later."

I head out and get in my jeep wrangler and head to the coffee shop. As I pull up I see him standing outside leaning against his car. The perfect car for a perfect man, a sixty nine Chevy impala. It was absolutely beautiful. I park next to him and get out.

"Nice car."

"You like?"

"MMM, sixty nine impala. I love that car."

"Hmmmmhmmm, maybe someday I might let you drive it."

I lock up my car and he opens my door of his car and I sit down as he shuts the door.

"I know the perfect place to eat. It's out of town and has amazing authentic Mexican. It's about a twenty minute drive from here."

"Sounds great, I love Mexican."

"Alright then, Mexican it is."

He starts the engine and it roars to life. He was right. It was about twenty minutes and we pull into the parking lot of this cute little Mexican restaurant. He comes around to my side as I get out and places his hand at the small of my back and a warmth spreads up my back. He guides me inside as we are seated at a small booth. We sit down as a waitress comes over and greets us.

"Good evening, my name is Maria. I will be your server this evening. What can I get started for you this evening?"

"Could we start with some guacamole and some cheese dip? I'd like a coke too, please." he answers.

"I'll take a coke also."

"I'll put that order in and be back with your drinks in a moment. Take you time with the menu."

She heads off to the kitchen to put in our order. We were left in a comfortable silence as we looked over our menus. After a minute or two, I look up and he is staring at me. I blush a little.

"What?"

"Nothing, just wondering how I got so lucky to be taking the most beautiful girl out on a date."

I smile as my cheeks turn crimson. He smiles back at me as the waitress returns with our drinks.

"Here are your cokes. Have you made a decision on your entrees?"

"I believe we have. I'll have the chicken enchiladas with rice and re-fried beans." He says with a smile.

"I'll have the taco salad."

"Good choices. I will be back in a few with your appetizers." She heads back into the kitchen and is right back with the appetizers. "Enjoy, your entrees should be out soon."

"Thank you." I say as she places the plates in front of us and she walks away." Wow, this guacamole is really good."

"See, I told you. They are the best."

After about twenty minutes your food is brought out and we dig in. We eat in silence for a bit.

"This is really good. Do you want to try it?" he asks as he offers a bite of his food.

"Sure, It looks good."

He moves the fork in front of me as I take a bite. It is really good. "MMMM!" He shifts a little in his seat as I see his eyes darken."

"Sweetheart, don't moan like that. It makes it hard to be a gentleman, and I am really trying here." He smiles as he takes another bit of his food. I blush again and take a bite of my salad. "Sorry, I couldn't help it. It was so good."

We finish eating and soon they bring us the check and we head out to the car.

"Time for dessert, how about some ice cream?" he asks as we head to his car.

"That sounds yummy."

We climb into the car and he heads down the road to the ice cream shop. We then head inside and up to the counter. We order our ice cream and go sit at one of the tables outside.

"So you're the sheriff's daughter, huh? He asks with a smirk.

"Yeah."

"He doesn't like me much, does he?"

"No, not really?"

"So I guess that is the reason you wanted to meet me at the coffee shop?"

"Yes, I really wanted to go out with you and I didn't want him to scare you away."

"Sweetheart, he couldn't scare me away from you." he says as he reaches across the table and puts his hand on mine and squeezes it. I feel the electricity shoot up my hand. I don't know what it is about this man, but I can't stay away. I have to get to know him more.

"So what is it you do for work?" I ask.

"I work at my uncle's garage. I hope to own my own someday. I love working with my hands and getting dirty." he wiggles his eyebrows at me at the double meaning. I blush as my chin drops and I cover my mouth with my hand. Again he makes me blush. I think he does it just to see how many times he can do it.

"I love it when you blush."

I knew he was doing it on purpose. We sit and talk for a long time and I realize it is getting late and the ice cream shop has closed for the night. We head back to the car and back to the coffee shop. I get out of the car and head over to mine. He gets out and stands in front of me.

"I had a really nice time tonight.' he says as he swipes my hair behind my ear and slides his fingers along my jaw and over my bottom lip.

"I did too, thank you."

"Sweetheart, I hope that I can see you again soon."

"I would like that."

"I really should go, but I can't bring myself to leave you."

"I wish you didn;t have to either."

"I want to take you back home with me."

"Not on the first date, handsome."

"I know, trying to be a gentleman, remember."

"Thank you."

"Well, I better get going. May I be so bold as to ask if I can kiss you goodnight?"

"Yes, you may."

He leans in and ever so gently places his lips to mine and it's over before I want it to be. His lips were so soft and I could kiss them all night. My first kiss and they are on fire. I wanted more.

"Text me when you get home so I know you are safe."

"I will. See you again soon."

"Definitely."

I climb into my jeep and pull out of the parking lot. He stands there watching me, and when he is sure that I'll be fine, he jumps in his car and drives home. Once I pull into our driveway, I see that the living room light is on as I get out and head in.

"Hey pumpkin, have fun tonight?"

"I did. I'm a little tired so I am going to head up to bed."

"Alright, sleep well and I will see you in the morning."

I head up to my room and get ready for bed, then I text Eric.

Text- I am home and in bed. Thank you for tonight. Sleep well and talk to you soon.

Text- Glad you made it home safe. So what are you wearing?

Text- Uh-uh, not yet.

Text- worth a shot, right?"

Text- I guess, lol. Goodnight, handsome.

Text- Goodnight, sweetheart. Sweet dreams. Talk to you soon.

I plug my phone in and curl up under my blankets and fall asleep, dreaming of a tattooed bad boy.