Chapter Four

 

 

 

DINA

 

Dina woke up the next morning with an even bigger smile on her face than the day before. Her date was spectacular. It was a lot like her walk home with Avery. They talked and talked, sharing tidbits about work, about their dreams, their fantasies. It was like heaven to share a conversation with someone without being interrupted by phone calls, text messages, and deadlines. They were free. To talk. To stare into each other’s eyes. His were beautiful. A light shade of hazel which got lighter and darker depending on the light and the color of shirt he wore. The man was absolutely gorgeous with his chiseled stubbly chin, thick brows, and bow-shaped lips.

Dina looked at the time. It’s was already nine, but she didn’t get out from under the warmth of her comforter. Instead, she replayed her date over and over again in her head. The kiss on the cheek. The amazing chicken and asparagus in white wine sauce over penne pasta. He cooked for her. Where had this man come from? It was like a dream, but she didn’t want to pinch or slap herself because she was afraid it was going to end.

She closed her eyes and sucked in a deep breath. Was this real? Was he real? Could she really be this happy with a man she barely knew? What was crazy to her was that she felt like she knew him better than all the men she had spent time with over the years. The men she saw on a daily basis at work. The men she saw after hours because they were the closest thing she was going to get to a real date. Yes, those men. In two days, she knew Avery better than the man she had dated for the past year. She didn’t know anything about him that she knew about Avery. Like his family. The dog he had as a child. The names of the men he left behind when he retired. About Avery, she already knew all that and more. And he knew her. Because she let him. With him, it came so naturally to let her guard down and allow him to get to know her.

With him, things were different. They were better.

Dina shook her head back and forth, hoping to clear the cloudy fog of desire that was wrapping itself around her. She needed to stop thinking about Avery and get out of bed. Shelby was going to stop by for brunch before she headed to JT’s. She had mentioned sending someone over to cook for Avery and her, but Dina insisted that it wasn’t necessary. As long as the house was stocked with food, they could fend for themselves. They didn’t need anyone waiting on them. Avery had agreed.

But Dina did enjoy Shelby’s company so she looked forward to seeing her in a few hours. She’d much rather see her neighbor, but she knew he was gone already. He mentioned last night that he was an early riser and would spend the morning running. She didn’t know when he’d be back exactly, but she guessed he’d probably stop by the firehouse to see if Casey was working. Just like she enjoyed time with the girls, she knew he enjoyed time with his people.

With one final look at the clock on the bedside table, Dina got out of bed and shuffled into the bathroom. She was thankful for the deep claw footed tub where she could soak until the water turned cold. She hadn’t rested like this in ten years. She was going to take advantage of it.

After the relaxing bath, Dina was ready to go downstairs, pruned fingers and all, and wait for Shelby to arrive. She planned on making tuna salad sandwiches and cutting up fresh strawberries. That would be easy enough. As long as she didn’t have to turn on the stove or boil water, she could cook just fine.

Again, thoughts of her date with Avery filled her head as she opened her bedroom door. She was too busy glowing to notice something on the floor in front of her until it was too late. She accidentally tripped over it, catching herself on the door jamb before she fell. She looked down to see a twelve pack of Dr Pepper and a family size bag of Chili Cheese Fritos. A sticky note was attached.

 

Enjoy wherever you want. No need to hide.

Had a great time last night. See you soon.

 

When Shelby arrived, Dina was still trying to contain her giddiness. She really wanted to tell her new friend what Avery had done—the amazing gesture that warmed her heart to the core, yet she didn’t. She wanted to keep it sacred, special, for only herself to gush about. She may have decided not to spill the beans, but there was no way she could contain the blush that swept over her cheeks every time she thought about him.

“Wow, this looks delicious,” Shelby said when she came in and planted herself at the kitchen table. “I’m supposed to be cooking for you.”

“Oh, stop.” Dina reached into the refrigerator and pulled out two bottles of water for them. “I’m just bummed Katie couldn’t make it.”

“Yeah, when Casey’s on shift, she tries to take advantage and get some major writing in. She’s easily distracted when he’s around.”

“I can see why,” Dina said. Casey was one of the many home-grown hot guys in Hope Falls.

Shelby fluttered her brows up and down. “Anything distracting you around here?”

“Should there be?”

They both chuckled.

“Spill it,” Shelby said. “Are you guys sleeping in one room or two?”

“Two.”

Shelby made a sour face. “You guys are no fun.”

“We just met,” Dina said in defense.

“Who cares? You’re adults. And you like each other. Go for it. The man looks like older Tyler from Teen Wolf.”

“What the hell is Teen Wolf?”

“It’s on MTV.”

“It’s a music video?”

“No, it’s a TV series.”

“On MTV?”

“Yes, where have you been the last ten years?” Shelby asked.

Dina clawed her fingers through her hair. She had missed a decade of pop culture working in an office. “At work.”

“There was a time in my life when I thought I’d work in an office, be a doctor, a lawyer, someone important. My uncle is the Mayor of Hope Falls, you know that?” Shelby smiled. “But now, I run a B & B where my residents cook for me and a bar with a bottomless tab. This is the life. And I get to spend it with the most amazing man I’ve ever met. How lucky am I?” she said.

“Very.”

“You could have all this.” She waved her hand around. “Don’t be scared. Don’t let time dictate what you do. If you like your house-mate, go for it, Dina. Just do it.”

 

 

 

AVERY

 

It felt like Groundhog’s Day. Avery finished his five miles and found himself in front of the firehouse again. This time, some of the guys were out front, including Casey.

“Come on, Avery.” He waved him over. “We’re headed out for a run before we head home. We just got off shift.”

“I just finished five miles,” he told him.

Eli came down the path shouting, “Come on, hotshot, another five won’t kill you.”

Avery smirked. He could run a marathon on a moment’s notice. Running ten wouldn’t faze him one bit. “Let’s go.”

They jogged down Main Street, picked up speed as they turned the corner near Sue Ann’s café, and then headed toward Mountain Ridge Outdoor Adventures. The trails were great, and Avery knew he’d be back. He hadn’t ventured this far out in the time he’d spent in Hope Falls. He wondered if Dina had been up here. He chuckled to himself, knowing that she’d crossed his mind. Even while he was kicking up a sweat and keeping pace with the guys who were fresh out of the garage bay, he still thought about the adorable redhead with the cutest dimples he’d ever seen. Dammit if the thought of her didn’t make him want to turn back around and run to her instead of farther away.

It was late enough now that she’d be awake. He wished he could have seen her face when she noticed the snacks that he had left for her by the door. It only took him five sticky notes before he settled on one. He felt like such a dumb ass, writing something out and then crumbling the little paper and throwing it away. If only Avery could have been a fly on the wall to catch her surprise. Now, she was probably kicking back, chowing down her chips and chugging soda.

Yeah, Avery really needed to ditch his new friends. Though, he knew it wasn’t an option.

He didn’t have any trouble hanging with them. In fact, he could have left them all behind, but he didn’t want to come off like an ass. Instead, he stayed in the middle of the pack with Casey and Eli. It wasn’t long before they were leaving the resort and heading back toward Sue Ann’s. As they reached Main Street again, they all slowed down to a walk.

“That’s it,” Avery told them. “You guys are hoofin’ it back to the house?”

“Nah,” Casey said. “We’re done. Eli and I might even stop at Two Scoops for a sandwich and an ice cream, but don’t you dare tell Sue Ann.”

“Why not?” Avery asked.

“She doesn’t like the competition. She thinks Two Scoops should stick to ice cream,” Eli told him.

“I see.” Avery looked toward the bar and figured it was time to go. “I’m going to head back to the house and maybe stop at JT’s on the way.”

“Lucky bastard,” Eli said. “I could use a cold brew right about now.”

“Yeah, well, I’ll buy a round when you’re free.”

Eli nodded. “We’re headed there tonight.”

“Sounds good. See you there around seven.”

Avery shook hands with the guys before taking off.

“Hey, Avery!” Casey shouted.

He looked back over his shoulder and gave him a head tilt. “What’s up?”

“Don’t forget to bring Dina.”

Avery smiled, shook his head, and kept walking.

By the time he got back to the house, Dina was long gone. It was a weird feeling—one he hadn’t felt in a long time. Part of him wished she’d left a note behind to say hello or she’d be back soon. He supposed she could have sent him a text message, since that’s what people did nowadays, but they hadn’t exactly exchanged numbers, nor were they on that level.

When they were out on the back patio last night, it felt like they had been there so many times before. Like it was another casual evening at home with a loved one. They sat near each other, with only a small table between them. They often reached for their glass of wine at the same time. They’d look up at each other from their books simultaneously. The conversation flowed, but what he really enjoyed was the silence. It wasn’t awkward. It wasn’t weird. It was comfortable. Like they didn’t need random words to fill the air. They could just exist, together. And it was okay.

He welcomed a night like that again when he could reach out and hold her hand. He was hopeful it would happen before she decided to leave, or before he did for that matter.

Avery had no idea what the future held for either one of them. He didn’t know if they were coming or going.

The constant questioning in his head was going to drive him mad. There were a lot of unknowns in his life right now. Was he going to look for another job? Where was he going to live? Was he going to keep traveling? Maybe make it down south to spend more time with Ryan? Maybe make his way up north to visit his own family. There were so many things up in the air, but there was one thing that he didn’t doubt, and that was his attraction to Dina.

Avery walked into the kitchen, took a water bottle out of the refrigerator, and decided to spend a few minutes on the patio before he went upstairs to shower and get ready for the day. It was way past lunch time now and he was getting hungry, but the idea of soaking in the amazing view felt good to him.

On his way out, a brochure on the counter caught his eye. There were several displayed, each highlighting the Hope Falls tourist attractions, but he only grabbed the one. He sat in the same place as he did the night before, his feet stretched out in front of him and browsed the information. There was a beautiful woman on the cover. She had the blondest hair he’d ever seen and the greenest eyes in contrast. And he was going to meet her.

He fished his phone out of his short pockets and dialed the number on the back of the brochure.

“Hello, I’d like to make an appointment to see Lauren Harrison.” Avery listened as the operator checked her schedule. “Sure, I can come in today. See you in a few.”

Avery didn’t expect to see her today. But someone else’s cancellation was his opening. If that didn’t say something, he didn’t know what did. Maybe things weren’t so unclear after all.

 

 

 

DINA

 

The day had been a whirlwind of unexpected events. First, Avery surprised her with her favorite comfort foods. Then, Dina had brunch with Shelby. They chatted the morning away talking about Mountain Meadows and JT’s Roadhouse. Shelby mentioned needing some help getting both businesses on the map. While they had been a success, both she and Levi were hoping to increase revenue. They did great, taking the overflow from Mountain Ridge but the Dorsey’s wanted steady bookings. Dina had tried to explain that was one of the appeals of the B & B. It had to be Hope Falls’ best kept secret. She loved knowing she could call in and grab a room on a moment’s notice. Though, she could see it from Shelby and Levi’s point of view, too. It was a business. They had to treat it as such.

They had sat at the kitchen counter and browsed the town brochures. Dina wrinkled her nose at the outdated advertising and appeal. Shelby caught sight of her distaste and asked her about it. Not more than five minutes later, Shelby had dragged Dina out of the house and marched her right into her uncle’s office.

That’s when Dina met the Mayor of Hope Falls.

And that’s when her life changed for the second time in two days.

Dina was on cloud nine when she arrived back at the house. Things were starting to look up and her future wasn’t so blurry anymore. Her focus was back and she was ecstatic about the changes that were coming her way. She felt like a Disney Princess skipping up the steps and practically dancing her way inside the house. All she needed were for the birds to start chirping a tune and for animals to come out and join her in a flash mob. When that didn’t happen, she plopped herself down on the reclining chair in the living room and kicked her feet up.

For now, Dina needed to sit, take a breather, and soak it all in.

There was an exceptional offer on the table for her—one she couldn’t take lightly and was given the time to consider. Time. She was given time. How much did she really need? Dina laughed to herself when she thought about it. She didn’t need any time at all. She knew, without a doubt, the answer was going to be an emphatic yes. Or as Katie put it, a big, orgasmic yes!

She sat in the chair with her eyes closed and folded her arms across her stomach. She could easily fall asleep, she was so content. The only thing that kept her from dozing off was her overactive brain. She needed something to calm her nerves and settle her down. One shot of tequila, and she might be able to relax enough to enjoy the peace of Hope Falls.

Dina was about to get up and search for the liquor cabinet when the front door opened.

“Hey, there,” Avery said as he walked in with a file folder tucked under his arm.

“Hey,” she said. “Someone deserves the biggest thank you in the world.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Avery tried to hide his smile.

“Well, it was the best surprise I’ve ever had. I haven’t stopped smiling all day. It was really thoughtful of you.”

“I’m glad you liked it,” Avery told her. “Hey, I didn’t mean to wake you.”

Dina kicked the foot rest down and sat up. “I couldn’t nap if I tried. My mind never shuts up.”

Avery sat across from her on the love seat. “I hear ya. I’m not much of a napper. The only time I’ve ever been able to nap is when…”

When Avery didn’t finish his thought, Dina sat up a little straighter. “When what?”

He sat back and smiled shyly. She could tell he was struggling with what to say.

“Don’t be coy now, Avery. We’ve been speaking freely with each other for two days. Don’t go ruining our streak.” She let the words come out playfully, hoping to egg him on so he would spit it out.

The man smiled and rolled his eyes. It had to be the cutest thing she’d ever seen. “At the risk of sounding like a sissy, I’ll tell you anyway. There is only one instance when I’ve been able to nap.”

Dina leaned forward, all smiles anticipating his response. It didn’t matter what he said, she was all in. Avery was like a signature drink at Starbucks. She couldn’t get enough of him.

“When my nephew was a baby, all I had to do was hold him on my chest and we’d both fall asleep within minutes.”

“Aww.” Dina could only imagine. The thought alone of Avery holding a baby caused an egg to drop from her ovaries. Sure, she was exaggerating, but my god that had to be a sight to see. “That’s really sweet,” she said, trying to take her mind off images of him holding babies and her biological clock ticking. “That doesn’t sound sissy-like at all.”

“My mom and dad always took naps growing up,” Avery said.

“I bet they did.” Dina wagged her brows up and down.

“Ew,” Avery said, tossing a throw pillow at her. “They really did nap. They would leave the door open.”

“Fine,” Dina said. “If that makes you feel better, we’ll go with that.”

Avery chuckled, but he continued to explain. “When I was older, my dad would say there was nothing better than falling asleep with the woman he loved in his arms. With her curled against him, he could sleep anywhere.”

Dina didn’t joke this time. She looked directly at Avery, staring into his eyes as he gazed back at her. That had to be the sweetest thing she’d ever heard. How romantic. How lovely. God, she wanted nothing more than a man to speak about her in that way. “That’s beautiful,” she said.

“It is.” Avery nodded. “Something to look forward to, I suppose.”

“Definitely.”

 

 

 

AVERY

 

He had no idea why he mentioned what his father had told him. It felt right at the time. Avery’s dad had always said he’d know when he found the woman he was going to spend the rest of his life with. He’d want to take her in his arms, curl up against her, and never let go. He’d close his eyes, and be able to fall asleep without another care in the world.

Avery couldn’t stop thinking that Dina could be that woman. It didn’t matter that he’d only just met her. He’d gotten to know her better in just a few days than he had any other woman he’d spent months with. And goddammit, he wanted to hold her close and fall asleep with her spooned against him. He wondered if it could happen. Could he fall asleep with the ease that his dad explained? He’d tried it before, with other women. On most occasions, he’d lie awake thinking of an escape plan. When he was around Dina, he didn’t want to run. He wanted to stay put. With her.

“Got any plans tonight?” Avery asked her, trying not to think about her lying beside him in his bed.

“Hmm.” He watched as Dina took out her cell phone. “Let me check my calendar.” She tapped on the screen with a big smile on her face. “Looks like I’m free.” She looked up at him, her eyes alight with laughter. He could never tire of seeing that smile. “What do you have in mind?”

“JT’s,” Avery told her. “I’m going to meet Casey and Eli later. And of course, Katie will be there. What do you say?”

“Sounds like a plan,” she said.

“Another date?” He winked at her.

“Date number two,” she said. “It’s getting serious.”

He raised a brow. “Scared?”

“Not at all.”

He loved how sure she was. She wasn’t afraid. And neither was he.

Dina was the first to break the silence, telling him she was going to go up and get ready for the evening. Avery was thankful for the interruption or else he would have spent the rest of the evening looking at her with a cheesy grin plastered to his face. He was sure he looked like a psychopath with his eyes feasting on her. He couldn’t help it though. She was the perfect combination of beautiful and cute. He couldn’t get enough.

He waited until she was gone before he picked up the file folder that he had dropped on the coffee table when he came in. He opened it and perused the documents inside. He thought he’d be meeting Lauren for a quick get-to-know you meeting, but it turned in to much more. The woman knew her stuff. She was a no-nonsense business woman who got straight to the point. When he arrived, he was contemplating the idea of staying in Hope Falls. He thought he might find an apartment for rent, or a small condo. After discussing his future with Lauren, he walked out holding information on two homes for sale. One was very practical—a three bedroom ranch style home near the high school. The other, well that was a different story…or should he say, a mansion. A four thousand square foot palace that sat on top of the mountains overlooking downtown was his second option. It was a far cry from a small apartment near Main Street.

The crazy thing was, Avery could afford it. He had spent very little over the years, on only what he needed to survive. He wasn’t a flashy kind of guy. He was simple, spending this last decade living in a small house with a few other guys on the off season. He still drove the same old 1972 Chevy Blazer his dad had given him when he was sixteen.

Avery had money. He just didn’t know if he wanted to blow it all on a house, no matter how gorgeous it was.

There were so many things to consider. Should he stay? Should he go? Though, he was pretty certain he was staying. What was the alternative? He could go back home and live in the small town where he grew up. Technically, his parents still lived there—it’s where they received their mail—but they were never home. They enjoyed spending their retirement traveling around the world. His dad had said every new adventure was like another honeymoon.

Then there was his sister. She moved to Washington when she got married. He could go there. But that was her home, not his.

He had yet to find a place that felt like home to him… until he came to Hope Falls.

Avery had a lot of decisions to make. He had another meeting scheduled with Lauren the next day.

Until then, he needed to get ready for date number two.

He could hardly wait. He landed a kiss on the cheek on the first date. Maybe tonight, he’d taste her lips.

 

 

 

DINA

 

As soon as they walked into JT’s, Shelby and Katie called Dina over to their table. She looked up at Avery and he smiled, looking quite amused.

“Have fun with the girls,” he told her. “I’ll go grab you a drink.”

She reached out and squeezed his forearm. “Thank you.”

Dina rolled her eyes as she approached the ladies. Katie was bouncing in her chair. Shelby was much more calm.

“Did you tell him?” Shelby asked.

“Tell him what?” Dina tried to feign ignorance, but she couldn’t hold back the smile.

“Come on, girlfriend.” Shelby leaned closer to her. “I gotta get back behind the bar. We’re short a person tonight, but I want to hear the scoop.”

Dina shrugged. “There’s nothing to tell.”

“What are you waiting for?” Katie folded her arms across her chest. “Tell the man.”

Of course, Avery would choose that time to walk up. “Tell what man? Me? What did I miss?”

Dina’s cheeks burned. She shook her head and said, “Nothing in particular. The ladies are grilling me about our first date.”

Avery narrowed his eyes at Katie. “Doesn’t surprise me with this one. Sorry to break it to you, ladies. We don’t kiss and tell.” He placed Dina’s drink on the table. “Just give me a nod when you’re ready for another. I’ll be over there with the guys undergoing the same interrogation.” He smiled, then flashed her a wink before he turned away.

“You kissed him? Already? You go, girl!”

Dina felt a pat on her back as she tried to recognize the voice cheering her on. Of course, it was Sue Ann. The cafe owner stood over her smiling like a giddy old woman. Katie and Shelby giggled, while Dina was sure her cheeks were going to set fire. Thankfully, there were plenty of firemen in the vicinity to put out the blaze if needed.

“Was it good?” Katie asked, rocking in her seat. “Oh my gosh, I’m so happy for you. I love Avery and you…you’re just perfect for him.”

“How do you know?” Dina asked her. “I just met him.” She flung her hands in the air. “I just met you!”

Shelby got to her feet. “Time is just numbers on a clock, Dina.” She placed her hand on her shoulder. “I’ll be right back. Have a seat, Sue Ann.”

Sue Ann joined them without skipping a beat. “Oh, Miss Dina. Don’t let a little thing like time dictate how you go about your life. Follow your heart.”

“Exactly,” Katie said, slamming her hand on the table. “I don’t need to spend a year with you to know I like you and that we’re going to be great friends. I knew from the moment we met.”

Katie’s smile reached all the way to her eyes. She seemed so sincere and so kind. Dina couldn’t believe she had missed out on this type of friendship for most of her adult life. Now that she had it, she didn’t want to lose it.

“It’s kind of like picking out a good book,” Katie continued on. “Every book I read is a five-star read. I know what I like and I seek them out. I can tell by reading the blurb on the back if I’m going to love it or leave it. I could tell I was going to like you after chatting with you at the bar. You’re a five-star friend, Dina. I think you should stick around.”

“I think your fella does, too,” Sue Ann said. “He can’t keep his eyes off you. The guys are probably placing hundred dollar bets on their games of pool, and he’s taking them because he’s so distracted.” She stood up and pointed in their direction. “You two better get over there before Casey and Eli send him to the poor house.”

 

 

 

AVERY

 

Smitten. The word was smitten. He had heard his dad say that about his mom so many times. Avery thought about the word and its meaning as he stole glances at Dina. It was spot on. He was smitten.

“If you watch her any closer, you’re going to bore a hole through her forehead,” Katie said, punching him in the arm. Dina had trailed off to toward the ladies’ room and he’d admit it—he couldn’t take his eyes off her as she walked away. “Did cupid pay someone a little visit?”

He reached around and put her in a weak headlock. “You gonna keep talking shit, Katie bear?” He raised his hand to give her some knuckles.

“Cut it out, Avery,” she called out. “I’m just messing around.”

He let her go with a ruffle of her hair.

“You really like her, don’t you?” Katie said.

“Is it that obvious?” Avery said.

“Yes, it is.” Katie leaned into him, and he put his arm around her. She was the closest thing to family he had, and he was grateful for the ear to chew. “So what are you going to do about it?”

“I don’t know exactly,” he said. “But I did look into a few things today.”

“Like what?”

“Real estate.”

Katie pulled away from him and smacked his chest. “Are you kidding me?” She jumped into his arms and hugged him around the neck. “Congratulations!”

He patted her on the back and tried to shush her. “Come on, bear. I wasn’t ready to make any announcements. Can you bring it down a notch?”

Casey must have heard their conversation. “That’s like asking her not to breathe. Impossible.”

“You two suck,” she told them as they all shared a laugh.

“But…” Casey said, lingering on the word. “If you are going to stick around, I may have a proposition for you.”

Avery’s ears perked up, but the exchange was interrupted when Dina came back.

“Anyone interested in a girls against boys match?” she asked. “I think Katie and I can take you.”

They spent the rest of the evening playing pool, having drinks, and sharing stories.

Just weeks ago, so much of this would have surprised him. Making such instant friends, meeting a woman he was quickly falling in love with, and finding a place he’d call home. But now, as Avery spent more and more time with his new friends, this beautiful woman, in this small town, it was everything he could have ever hoped for.

He backtracked his thought process for a minute. A woman he was quickly falling in love with…

The evening was quickly coming to an end as Avery and Dina left JT’s and began their walk back to the house.

He peeked over at her as they strolled. She looked up at him.

He smiled.

She smiled.

He held out his hand, and she took it.

From the moment her hand slid into his, he felt a jolt of energy burst through his body. His heartbeat picked up the pace and his throat tightened. It was something he’d never felt before.

Sure, he’d held hands with a woman before, but this…it was different. It wasn’t just a fleeting gesture. It meant something. There was emotion involved. There was passion. There was no denying it.

There was love.

 

 

 

DINA

 

Dina glanced down at their joined hands and wondered if Avery was thinking the same thing. The connection she felt between them was strong and passionate. She couldn’t believe the way she felt. After so many failed relationships, she had given up on finding true love. She thought her destiny was to get hitched to someone in the office, someone whose calendar and pile of work matched hers.

If only she had quit sooner, she would have had this so long ago.

Scratch that. If she had quit sooner, she wouldn’t have met Avery.

Dina didn’t know who to thank for putting her and this man in the same place at the same time, but she wanted to send a thank you card or a six-pack of beer to show her appreciation.

Who knew holding hands would spark such feeling, such emotion? It was only their palms and fingers that touched, but Dina swore she could feel Avery all the way down to her toes.

She was completely at a loss for words. Tongue-tied and giddy like when she was a teenager at her first boy band concert. Only Avery was a man, he was holding her hand, and he was very much a real possibility. A fantasy and a reality rolled up into one.

“Did you have fun tonight?” Avery asked as they walked up the front steps of the B & B.

“Of course,” she said.

“So did I,” he told her. “But it wasn’t my idea of a date. I would have liked to spend more time with you.”

“The night’s not over yet.” She gestured to the porch swing. “Want to hang out a bit longer?”

“Not really.”

She looked up at him, shocked by his reply. “Oh.”

“Wait a minute,” he said. “That didn’t come out right.” He laughed, and she wondered what could be so funny. “I want to spend more time with you, but I’ve also been dying to walk you to your door at the end of the night.”

Puzzled, she continued to gaze up at him. “Why?”

He inched closer to her, placing his big hands on her shoulders. “Because I’ve been dying to do this.”

Dina barely had time to realize what he was going to do before he did it. His lips crashed against hers with such fervor that her knees buckled, and he had to wrap his arms around her to hold her up. She clung to him, breathless with her mouth fused to his.

She hopped up on her toes to get closer to him, flinging her arms around his neck and running her fingers through his thick hair. She could feel his strong hands curved around her waist and her back. In his arms, she felt safe, protected, and desired.

Avery kissed her like she’d never been kissed before. His strong lips parted hers and his tongue slid into her mouth. It was like a dance—fluid, smooth, passionate.

She didn’t want it to end.

Ever.