Relieve that Aimee agreed to cover the last thirty minutes of her shift, Tania cleaned up her station quickly and clocked out. Usually, she'd be the one covering the closing shifts for people, but tonight was different. It was her turn to check out early for a change. Besides, Noah was waiting on her in the lobby.

Stuff like this never happened to her. It wasn't that she wasn't approachable. Guys usually took notice, but nothing ever felt right about them. She wanted a boyfriend—a lover, and eventually a family and kids, but she wasn't about to rush things just because she was lonely.

She didn't know what it was about Noah, but it was like she understood him already. From what they'd discussed so far, they both had sketchy pasts. Pasts that shaped them into who they were today. She was anxious to get to know him better, but hopefully she wouldn't find out that he was like the rest of them—guys who said they wanted to change and make their life better, but hadn't even bothered to take the first step. Could Noah be different?

Tania grabbed her handbag from the locker and made a beeline for the lobby where she told Noah to wait. When she got there, the only person around was the hostess. All of the benches were empty. Her heart nearly dropped in her belly as she stood there in the center of the lobby with Noah's leather jacket draped across her right forearm, ready to give it to him…ready to see him again.

"Something wrong?" the hostess asked.

"Uh…" Tania didn't even know the girl by name. She had just started a week ago. Her mind was too occupied to think of the name now.

"No, I'm alright. Just looking for someone that's all," Tania said.

"But everyone has left or is already seated. By my count, we only have eleven guests inside right now, including the couple at table eight in your section," the hostess said proudly. "Looking for anyone in particular?"

"Um…no," she mumbled.

Tania nibbled at her bottom lip as her gaze shifted to the windows. In the parking lot, some cop cars were just pulling out and a few bystanders loitered around.

"Someone eating here saw something suspicious and called it in. Cops were looking for some guys," the hostess noted and then shrugged. "They must not have found what they were looking for."

"Weird. You know what? I just remembered that I parked out back."

Going back into the little diner where Tania spent eight hours a day, six days a week on her feet wasn't what she had in mind tonight, but something didn't quite add up. Noah couldn't have just up and left after saying that he'd meet her in the lobby. But then again, she didn't even know this guy. She only thought she did.

"Dammit," Tania muttered as she took a quick glance in the direction of the table where Noah once sat. Of course, he wasn't there.

Aimee passed by holding a tray of empty dishes. "What's the matter? Don't tell me you let the hot guy get away."

Tania smirked and then rolled her eyes. "Then I won't. Thanks again for covering that last table for me."

"No problem. And I hope you got his number, at least."

Tania frowned. "No, I didn't. See you tomorrow."

Aimee made a tsk-tsk noise, shaking her head. "Girl, get it together or you'll miss out." She backed away, heading toward the kitchen.

Tania headed outside, wishing she had asked Noah for his number instead of agreeing to chat with him. It was probably a good thing that he'd left. Truth be told, she was dead tired and ready to get back to her apartment.

There was a brisk chill in the air as she walked out the backdoor. The asphalt was wet. Raindrops covered almost every surface. She heard cars whizzing by on the busy main road out in front of the diner. Police sirens blared somewhere off in the distance, but the noise was muffled by the breeze near the adjacent fence.

Tania wondered if Noah had gotten tired of waiting for her. Nonetheless, he wasn't here and she wasn't going to wait out here all night by herself. The area was safe for the most part, but nothing could come of her standing out in muddy puddles in the middle of the night. With a disappointed sigh, she tugged her wool coat tighter around her.

She had only taken a few steps when she heard something rustling in the bushes nearby. Thinking it was some old stray dog or cat looking for leftovers in the dumpster, she quickened her pace. When a dark figure merged from the shadows, she slid her fingers down into her handbag and clutched her pepper spray, ready to defend herself if she had to.

"Tania, it's me," Noah called out in a low raspy voice, cautiously approaching her.

As he came closer under the street lamp, she was able to identify him. He looked worried and ruffled up. The of ends his long-sleeved shirt hung over his pants with the first few buttons undone. It looked like he was about to get undressed, but then had changed his mind.

"What are you doing out here? I thought we were supposed to meet in lobby. I was getting ready to leave."

"I'm glad you didn't. I had to leave. I'm so sorry," he said.

Tania sighed. "No need to apologize. Thanks for your tip, by the way."

"You deserved it." He grinned.

"Why'd you leave though? What's going on?" she asked, detecting the uneasiness around them.

He pulled her aside. "I can't stick around here," he said nervously. "Cops are swarming the city."

"Have you done something wrong?"

He frowned. "No, not me. Not this time. One of my cousins came down from Timber Rock to get me. He was staying with me until I was ready to go back and then he got into some trouble." He rolled his eyes, sighing. "Now it seems that we're both wanted for questioning."

"So, you're not in trouble then?"

"Not now. Just put it this way, if I'm caught I'll either have to lie for him or give up his location."

"And let me guess…you don't want to do either?"

He shook his head. "No, not if I don't have to."

Tania was silent for a moment as she connected the pieces. So, he was the one the cops were after. Him and his cousin.

"Look, I know how this might seem to you, but I promise you, it's not what it looks or sounds like," he said.

"Then tell me. What kind of company do you keep?"

He looked confused for second and then he replied, "I'm not exactly innocent either. Like you, I walked away from that life. That's why I started working for my…for a good company back in Minnesota. I don't need to do the things my cousin does anymore to get by."

"And you came back here despite the risks of getting picked up by the police?" she commented.

"I couldn't leave you hanging. Not like that," he said.

"I thought you stood me up," she said. "I would've been fine. We would've seen each other again."

"No, I said I would wait and I did."

"So where does your cousin take the cars?" she asked out of the blue, causing his eyes to widen in surprise.

He ran his fingers through his hair. "You're a smart one."

"I told you already," she said. "I'm not that innocent either. I just never got caught."

"We need to talk about this more," he said. "About your non-innocent past."

She shook her head. "No, we don't. That's in my past."

"I understand. Wish I could separate myself completely from my past too. It's not always easy."

"It can be done. But in your case, separating yourself from your cousin probably isn't an option."

"Tell me about it. But that guy is like a brother to me. We started flipping our finds for cash as kids. One of us still prefers quick, easy money."

Tania shrugged. "Who could blame him? But I'd really hate to see you running from the police for the rest of your life."

"Yeah…I'd hate that too," he said under his breath.

"You still have to leave town anyway right?"

"Yeah…just sooner now that this has happened. It was only supposed be for a few months. I'm done with my assignment and I have to report back."

She sighed.

Why the thought of him leaving town made her feel sick to her stomach was beyond her. She'd just met him. Why did the thought of him walking out of her life so soon shatter her heart to pieces?

"I was supposed to be in Minnesota two days ago, but…"

His gaze leveled with hers instantly and he assessed her slowly.

"Oh…your jacket." She thrust his leather jacket at him.

He chuckled. "No. I stayed behind to see you again, not to collect my jacket."

She blushed, causing her to forget that she was standing out in the cold with the most handsome stranger she'd ever met.

"Look, I wish we'd met under different circumstances. Sooner maybe…" He ran his hand through his hair again. "I never wanted it to look like I'm running or something."

"Sometimes you've gotta do what you've gotta do," Tania said. "I wish I knew more about your problem. I wish I could help. You're a nice guy."

"You can help…if you come with me."

Tania gave a short laugh. "You're kidding, right? We've known each other maybe a day. If you've gotta run, you've gotta run. I'll catch you later. You don't really need to leave town now, do you?"

He nodded. "I do. My…this company has strict compliance standards."

"You could get fired. I understand," she said.

"Yeah."

He reached up and glided his fingers through a lock of her hair. She let him. In fact, she felt no need to step away from him. Men had invaded her personal space before like this, but were shot down instantly. In this moment, she felt comfort in his touch, even when his fingers lightly brushed against her cheek.

He narrowed his gaze. "Where have you been hiding?"

"I haven't been hiding. I just don't get out as much is all."

"I feel like I know you already," he said.

"Then what's my birthdate?" she shot back at him.

Noah laughed. "You're funny."

"It's November 29."

"Not too far away," he said. "What about a vacation for your birthday? You told me back in the cafe that you were using your tips to move away from Aspen Valley soon. Why not now? You can come with me and see how you like it where I'm going. Aspen Valley and Timber Rock are alike in so many ways."

Tania shook her head. "I can't come with you, Noah. As much as I want to leave, I don't think I'm ready. Not financially and I don't want to run into any trouble in another place where I'm not familiar."

"I get that. I work. I've got good benefits and I'd take care of everything," he said.

She smiled. "I'm sure you would, but right now isn't the right time."

"There's no expiration on my offer if you want to get away," he reassured her.

"So, is this it? You came to say goodbye."

"I don't want it to be goodbye, but I don't always get what I want right away," he said. "Have you got a pen?"

She dug into her apron and handed him a pen. He took a folded receipt from his back pocket and wrote something on it.

"This is my phone number and the name of the place where I'm going. Timber Rock, remember that. I'm not that hard to find. Folks know me there."

Noah placed the paper in her palm and then took her hand in his, not letting it go. A wave of tension moved between them, heating the air. A loud blare of a police siren startled both of them.

"Will you be okay, Noah?" she asked. "I've got an apartment just off of Rosewood Ave. You can chill out there if you need to."

"I appreciate that. I'll be okay. We're looking to leave tonight. My friend just needs a little help and a push in the right direction. We promised our Alp—" He looked down and appeared to have lost his train of thought for a moment. "I promised my boss I'd be back first thing in the morning."

"I understand." She gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. "You go help your friend. My offer still stands too. We can go on that date you talked about when you come back and when things have settled down for you."

"Sounds like a plan. Now let's get you on your way. It's too cold out here for you," he said, guiding her toward a group of parked cars.

"I don't know how you manage without a jacket," she said. "Here. Put it on."

"Naw, I'm okay. You keep it for me. I'll get it when I come back for you."

Noah walked her to her car and opened the door for her.

"Call me tomorrow," he told her.

"Are you going to be settled in that fast?" she asked.

"Probably not, but we should still talk."

She smiled. "Okay."

"Okay." He lifted his hand as if he were going to touch her again, but then stopped himself in mid-air. "Take care."

She only waved because she couldn't bring herself to tell him goodbye. Fortunately, this wasn't goodbye. She'd talk to him again and hopefully see him again.

He turned and began his roguish gait through some cars. She hated to see him go.

"Wait," she called out softly.

She wasn't even sure that he'd heard her. The command just seemed to drift on the breeze and mingled with all the other sounds.

But he stopped. He actually stopped, turned around, and walked right back to her. This time he closed the distance between them, leaving nothing but mere centimeters between them.

"Yes?" he breathed.

"I um…I just wanted to do this…"

She took him by the collar, rose on her toes, and kissed him. The kiss started light and gentle at first. Just lips, slightly parted. His hands found their way to wrap around the small of her waist and she leaned into him. He angled his mouth on hers, deepening the kiss. Their lips parted and their tongues were fully engaged in the most sensual kiss she'd ever shared with anyone in her life.

He was so hot. She was feeling so feverish, despite the chill hanging in the air. Heated pulses traveled through her body and electric tingles moved across the surface of her skin.

Tania parted from the kiss, pushing lightly at his chest. Her breaths came in pants until she was able to speak again.

"Sorry." She blushed. "I don't know why I just did that. I just wanted to give you something to remember me by."

Noah grinned. "You don't have to be sorry. I've been wanting to do that since I first saw you."

"Good to know. I normally don't come onto guys that fast."

"Me neither. I don't come on to guys at all, so there. We're just about even," he said.

They laughed.

Noah cut off her laughter with a long, roving kiss that had her feeling like she was on cloud nine. Soft stubble from his three-day-old beard prickled across her skin as he pressed light kisses along her jawline, near her ear and halfway done her throat. He smelled amazing—like expensive exotic cologne that was both hearty and subtle at the same time.

"Yes…this…I'll remember," he spoke softly into her ear.

If she went with him…

No. She couldn't.

She was an adult now. Twenty years old. She had to make adult decisions for herself. For the kind of future she wanted. She couldn't mess this up. She wouldn't let anyone mess this up for her.

"Okay, I really have to go now."

"Be safe."