Holding hands wasn’t something Kira had thought much about before. But as Anthony walked her out to her car, not a cricket to be heard in the brisk night, she couldn’t pull her focus off the way his large, masculine hand cradled hers. He’d come out moments ago to start her car so it’d be “nice and toasty” when she got in. So sweet.

Anthony was tall and muscled and gorgeous to an unnerving degree, but that alone wouldn’t cause the fluttering swirl of her tummy as they neared her car. It had as much to do with the other things he offered. His non-physical traits. Patience, support, kindness. Along with a swagger any real rebel would envy. A cool guy who didn’t have to try—that was Anthony Marino.

A lamppost down the street hummed as he leaned his back against the car, the fringe of that light barely reaching them. Anthony secured her other hand in his as Kira faced him.

“Thanks again for dinner tonight,” she said. “Next time I’ll cook. Or buy, depending on how brave I feel.”

He smiled, his gaze dropping to their joined hands. She’d been the one to move in to kiss him after they’d gone bowling. And while Kira had enjoyed taking him by surprise as she had in planting that kiss on him, she liked even more the way he’d responded to it. Leaning in and taking charge. Would he do that again tonight, or simply offer a small peck on her cheek as he’d done after walking her to the door? The tummy twirls picked up in anticipation, moved up in ripples as her breath hitched.

Anthony wrapped his strong arms around her and pulled her in, warm against his chest. Out here in the cold, she could smell hints of fresh laundry on him, along with the tempting scent of aftershave or cologne, she wasn’t sure which. She only knew it smelled spicy and masculine and wonderful.

The tip of his nose nuzzled into her neck, just below her ear. Cool and smooth and alluring. His heated breath came next, moved along her chin up to her lips, where he toyed with her, his mouth grazing over the small peaks of her top lip in a slow tease.

Kira had never been the patient type, but the anticipation coursing through her was a thrill all its own. She resisted the urge to lean in or take more, allowed the sensation to linger and swell.

At last he moved a strong hand up the back of her neck and pressed his mouth to hers in a long, glorious kiss. He tilted his head, deepening the kiss as a whimper sounded from her throat.

Whoa. Chemistry—check. There was nothing lacking in that department. Kira sighed, Anthony’s mouth weaving some sort of magic over her in a series of lingering, passionate kisses.

At last he pulled back slightly, hesitantly. “Good night,” he rasped.

Kira stayed in place, relishing in the heat of his mouth just centimeters from hers.

He pressed another soft kiss to her lips. “Are you coming into the diner for coffee in the morning?”

She forced her eyes open, tipped her head back, and scrutinized him in the low light. Those dark, dreamy eyes could unravel her if she let them. “Should I?”

“If you want to, yes.”

“Then yes. Yours is better than mine. Plus I get to watch you in action. It’s hot.” She chuckled since it was a funny thing to say, but it was a true statement; Anthony ran that diner like an Italian boss. Charm, grit, and good looks all rolled into one.

He opened the car door for her, and a wave of heat pulled her in. “Enjoy your cold pillow tonight,” she said.

He grinned wide enough for his dimple to show. “You too, Kira.”

He stood on the sidewalk, arms crossed over his muscular chest as she drove away. The sight of him in the rearview did tingly things to her insides. Perhaps this was the beginning of something real and lasting.

A stubborn voice from her past prodded and nudged at her mind, working to be heard once again. You’re not the type of person who can stay put. It’s only a matter of time before you mess this one up.

Kira gripped her left hand tighter around the leather steering wheel and reached for the radio with the other. With one quick tap, the loud bass of a familiar song pounded through the speakers. She might like classical music to help her concentrate at work, but in the car, Kira enjoyed alternative rock. Luckily, it was just loud enough to quiet the beast once more.