After a great day skiing in the sun and snow, Stone and Abi had eaten a light meal at Costa Vida then gone to grab their swimsuits. Abi looked forward to swimming in the warm water and kissing Stone while wearing something besides snow clothes, but she thought it was a good thing they’d be in a public place. As much as she loved kissing him, she might blow all of his boundaries out of the water.

She and Stone always claimed they were “sneaking” into the fancy hotel, but they both knew the night manager from high school. Tracy was great about letting them come swim anytime.

They said hello to Tracy, and she walked with them to the bathrooms near the pool, handing them hotel pool towels so they’d fit in. “Just change in here. You know the way.”

“Thanks,” Stone said.

She winked. “For sure. Always fun to see those muscles on the cameras.”

Stone turned a deep red.

Abi laughed. “Thanks, Tracy. I love that someone besides me can tease him.”

Stone arched an eyebrow at her, his blue eyes so warm Abi trembled with happiness, and a rush of excitement darted through her.

Tracy grinned. “It’s good to see you both.”

They said their goodbyes, going into separate bathrooms and getting changed, stowing their clothes in the lockers Tracy had given them keys to.

When Abi walked out of the bathroom, Stone was reclining against the wall in only his plaid swim trunks with the towel wrapped around his neck. Her mouth watered at the sight of his muscular arms, shoulders, chest, and abdomen. Stone’s physique was amazing, but she would’ve loved him if he had love handles and a blanket of hair on his back. He was her best friend, and finally, there was hope they could be so much more. Happy bubbles filled her stomach as the realization of what was happening sank in. Today had changed their relationship, and she couldn’t be more ecstatic. She didn’t have to pretend she only thought of him as a friend. Things could only improve in their relationship from here on out.

“You ready?” He grinned at her.

Abi sauntered closer. “For what?”

“Swimming.” He arched his eyebrows. “What were you thinking?”

Abi looped her arm through his and tugged him toward the pool area. “I’m ready to try kissing you in a location that doesn’t include snow.”

Stone slid their hands together and opened the door with his other hand. The cold air smacked into them. Abi pulled him forward, carefully running across the stone patio and to the pool’s edge. They both dropped their towels and flip flops on a chair and slid into the warm water. Luckily, it was pretty quiet and nearly deserted. There were just a few teenagers at the other end of the pool. It was late enough the families had probably gone back to their rooms for the night.

“Ah.” Abi closed her eyes and enjoyed the luxurious warmth surrounding her.

Stone’s arms came around her waist, and her eyes flew open as a completely different warmth filled her. But his eyes were too serious for her.

“I told you how much I like kissing you, but I want to be careful about getting too physical.”

You weren’t careful with Virginia. She wanted to fling the words at him, but that would be wrong. Abi felt instant remorse about where her thoughts had gone. She was glad he was intent on being moral with her. She’d made mistakes in her life too, and she understood why Stone was clarifying. She knew he’d loved Virginia and their baby, but it had been tough that they’d eloped so quickly after she got pregnant. Virginia’s family still treated Stone like he’d taken advantage of their daughter and pulled her away from them the last few months of her life.

Stone was a very good man, one of the best, and Abi didn’t like things being so serious. She decided to tease him, just a little, to get the mood back to happy. She moved closer and couldn’t resist placing her hands on the bulging muscles of his chest. He inhaled quickly. “Is this too physical?”

“I don’t have Superman-style self-control.”

“You sure?”

He laughed but pulled back and took her hand, leading her over to a bench in the pool where they could sit side by side.

Abi leaned back and enjoyed soaking in the warm water after skiing all day. She mostly enjoyed having Stone’s shoulder pressed against hers and his hand surrounding hers. She agreed that she wanted to be careful physically, but fear that Stone would freak out about them getting too close and clam up again was stuck right in her throat, making it difficult to even speak.

Finally, she was able to swallow and say flippantly, “So no PDAs for Tracy to watch on her cameras tonight?”

“PDAs?”

“Public displays of affection. You really have a lot to learn about relationship lingo.”

Stone rolled his eyes then grew serious and glanced over at her. His eyes were deep blue and full of suspicion. “Have you been involved in something Tracy would want to watch?”

“You mean besides your beautiful chest?”

He arched his eyebrows. “You know what I’m asking. Don’t try to compliment your way out of it.”

She smiled. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

“Abi.” He growled.

Abi laughed, pulled her hand free and swam away from him. She’d never imagined Stone could be jealous, but seeing him and his firefighter buddies last night at the restaurant and the way he’d just growled her name, she had to admit she liked it.

Stone grabbed her before she’d gone two strokes. He picked her up in his arms and cradled her against his chest. The water made the movement effortless, but still, his chest muscles bulged. She loved wrapping her arms around his neck and holding on tight.

“You tell me who you’ve kissed in a swimming pool.” He demanded.

Abi laid back her head and laughed. “Or what?”

“Or I’ll dunk you.”

Abi stuck out her tongue at him. “Like I care about a little water.”

Stone arched an eyebrow and pulled her down underneath the surface. Abi held her breath and clung to him until he lifted her back up. His eyes were a sparkling blue. “Tell me.”

“No.”

Down she went again. She made the mistake of laughing as she plunged down and caught a mouthful of water. She coughed, and Stone immediately yanked her head back out of the water. “Are you okay?”

She continued coughing, unable to catch her breath. Stone released her feet and pulled one of her arms up so she could get a full breath. Her coughing calmed, and he led her back to the bench. He sat and tugged her onto his lap. Abi was surprised since he’d said he didn’t want to get too physical, but she wasn’t about to complain.

He studied her. “You’re okay?”

“Yes. My dang boyfriend was trying to drown me, but as you can see”—she spread her arms wide—“I survived.”

He smiled, but for some reason, she sensed the boyfriend comment bothered him.

“Stone? Can I call you my boyfriend?” It was the most insecure she’d ever felt in her life.

“If you want to.”

Sheesh, that was reassurance.

He released her from his arms, and she slid onto the bench next to him, feeling a distance between them and not liking it at all. Stone splashed some water on his face and finally said, “This is all a huge mind shift for me. Are you sure you’re okay taking it slowly?”

At least, he was trying and wasn’t backing away. They knew each other so well. She did push too hard at times, so she didn’t blame him for being worried that she couldn’t take things slowly. She didn’t want to, but she would for him. “I’ve been waiting for you my whole life, Stone. I’m okay as long as you don’t back away or shut me out again.”

“Thanks.” He nodded, but didn’t give her any reassurance he wouldn’t do either. “Now, you have to tell me who you’ve kissed in a swimming pool.”

She laughed. It was cute he was so intent on knowing, but she wished they could talk more about their relationship. Give him time, Ab. “No, I don’t.”

“Yes, you do. Actually, amend that, you have to tell me how many men you’ve kissed.”

“Why would you torture yourself like that?” She batted her eyelashes.

He nodded. “It is torture, but I need to know. You’ve dated nonstop since high school.”

“I did pretty well in high school too.” It was too fun to tease him and know that he actually did care.

Stone groaned. “Don’t remind me. Do you know how hard that was for me?”

“No, I don’t. You’ve always been so strong and silent.” She tried to flex and pulled a mockingly stern face. “I don’t think anybody has a clue what’s going on behind that pretty boy face.”

Stone smirked at her. “You do. You’re my best friend, Abi.”

“Even me, Stone. I still don’t know how you tick.”

He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her in tight to his side. “I’ll try to share more. It’s just hard for me.”

“How so?” Abi truly loved this man, but she couldn’t really understand how talking and sharing feelings could be this excruciating for him. She would give him oodles of credit, and maybe some more kisses, for trying though.

“No, nuh-uh, you’re evading my earlier question with all this touchy-feely stuff.”

“What question?” He was impossible.

“How many men have you kissed?” His brow furrowed as he stared down at her.

“Oh, my crimony. We’re finally talking about deep, important material and you want to worry about who I’ve kissed?”

“That is important stuff. I’ve only kissed you, and it’s been unreal.” His grip on her shoulder tightened possessively. “Has it been like that with other men?”

Abi blinked to clear her vision. She was impressed her stoic friend could reveal his insecurities, opening up to her like this. She was thrilled that he thought kissing her was unreal, but most of all, she was confused that he seemed to have forgotten his deceased wife. “You’ve only kissed me and Virginia?”

“Oh, yeah.” He looked away. “Plus, I kind of got roped into kissing Gabby Carter in that pep assembly, but I’m not sure if that counts as it was pretty lame.”

Gabby Carter. She pulled a face but wasn’t going to let him evade her questions that easily. “Stone, what aren’t you telling me?”

He focused back on her again, and there was a world of hurt and torture that lived behind those blue eyes. She needed him to finally let her in. To share about losing Virginia. She couldn’t imagine how much of a toll losing his wife and baby had taken on him. Was it asking too much to want to help him heal and love again? Love her?

Stone rubbed his palm along her bare shoulder, his touch causing tingles along her skin. He took a breath then rushed to say, “It wasn’t like this for me and Virginia.”

Abi turned into him so she could see his eyes clearly. “What does that mean?”

“When we kissed.”

She waited, forcing him to spell it out.

“I don’t remember ever feeling like this. These strong desires, wanting to kiss you and hold you all the time.” He made a fist with his free hand and shot water out of it a few times. “Sheesh, this is awkward.”

Abi’s stomach was tying up in knots. Stone didn’t lie. She knew that about him, but there was something so wrong about what he was saying. If he never had these strong desires with Virginia, why had he gotten her pregnant right after they graduated? Abi had always thought Virginia and Jace would someday end up together and her and Stone.

Virginia, and of course Stone, had been closed mouthed about how they’d gotten together. Abi assumed Stone must have been trying to comfort Virginia after Jace left and they’d let things get out of hand. She actually remembered the night. Two weeks after high school graduation, Jace had flown to Lake Michigan for basic training. Virginia had been distraught. Neither Stone nor Abi could comfort her, and Virginia kept saying they didn’t understand. Then Stone had taken Abi home first. After that night, things changed drastically with their friendship. It was less than two weeks after that Stone and Virginia had ditched her and gone to Vegas to get married. They hadn’t invited anyone, even their supposed best friend. Virginia had started showing before they admitted to Abi and the world that she was expecting Stone’s baby. Abi had felt so shut out of her best friends’ lives and so jealous that Virginia had Stone. Within five months, Virginia had been killed, and all those feelings had turned to sorrow, regret, and guilt.

All of these thoughts were racing through her head as Stone studied her.

“What are you thinking?” he asked. “I shouldn’t have told you that about me and Virginia.”

“I’m just having a hard time believing it,” she said. “If you didn’t have these intense feelings with Virginia, why did you …” She couldn’t finish the sentence.

Stone’s eyes shuttered. They went back to the grayish-blue color she loved and hated. Loved because they were Stone’s eyes, hated because it meant he was shutting the entire world out, shutting her out.

“I’m kind of getting cold. Should we get in the hot tub?”

Abi wanted to pitch a fit, but she just didn’t have it in her right now. The cold running along her spine had nothing to do with the pool water not being as warm as a hot tub and everything to do with Stone shutting down when they were finally having a real conversation. Of course, it was awkward to talk about why he’d had premarital sex, but it had happened, and he should know Abi wasn’t going to judge him.

She let him take her hand and lead her to the hot tub. They soaked, and she enjoyed the jets pounding into her back. She dipped underneath and let them pound against her skull. If only they could knock some common sense into her. She was desperately in love with this man and trying to be patient and let him share when he was ready to, but good heavens, it was excruciating. The thing she really feared was he’d never be ready.

* * *

They left the hot tub and showered off quickly in the guest bathrooms then climbed into Stone’s truck and drove to her house. They were both quiet on the drive as his mind mulled over their conversation. He wondered how he’d ever be able to tell her the truth. Of course, she assumed that he was the father of Virginia’s baby, he and Virginia had told everyone that he was. Of course, she assumed he and Virginia had had a normal marital relationship. The truth was they’d never been intimate. Virginia had been sick and pretty miserable with the pregnancy, losing Jace, and adjusting to being married and giving up her future at a young age. Stone had tried to commit himself to her, but he’d been relieved when she’d asked their first night as a married couple if they could wait until after the baby was born before they consummated their marriage. In his mind, once they had their baby girl he’d finally be able to fall fully in love with Virginia.

They pulled into Abi’s house, and he hurried around to walk her to the door. They walked around to the side door by the garage and punched in the code. Stone should’ve said goodbye and headed home, but he didn’t have to work tomorrow, and he just wanted to be with her more, even though the risk of her digging out the secret he’d promised Virginia he’d never tell was huge. How was he supposed to let himself fall completely for Abi and have a relationship with her while allowing her to think he’d gotten Virginia pregnant?

The promise he’d made to Virginia had followed him around the past seven years, and it had only hurt him with Virginia’s family and other locals thinking he’d been out of control and had ruined Virginia’s life. Now, he realized keeping his promise to Virginia had hurt Abi more than he wanted to think about and had the capability of destroying her and any chance of a relationship for the two of them. But how did he go back on a promise?

Even if he could bend his integrity enough to tell Abi the truth, justify to himself that Virginia wouldn’t want Abi or him to be miserable, how would Abi react? His fire and ice girl might kiss him or slug him. How did he bring something like that up? Should he even try? Abi would be upset for sure. She assumed he had never told a lie and was the straight arrow that he’d always portrayed himself to be. How would she feel when she heard this whopper? If only Virginia would appear to him and grant permission for him to share her secret. Abi would keep the secret if he told her, and he had no chance of a relationship with the love of his life without coming clean. His head was a mess. He needed a large dose of Ibuprofen or heavenly intervention.

They walked through the garage and laundry room into the kitchen and attached living area.

“Do you want a water?” she asked.

“Yes, thank you.”

She pulled a couple out of the fridge and tossed him one. Stone had a sinking feeling that he’d closed off and upset her again. She looked like she’d rather he leave, but he was going to be brave and talk to her. He had to do it if they were ever going to have a hope of a relationship. He loved her, but oh man, this was going to be tough. Maybe he could give her some clues and she would figure it out on her own then he wouldn’t be breaking his promise. He shook his head, he was justifying and he hated it.

He opened the water bottle and drained half of it before setting it on the counter and turning to her. She was taking tentative sips of her water bottle and eyeing him with what could only be described as uncertainty. He was hurting her by not telling the truth, and that killed him. He loved Abi, and Virginia was gone. Abi wasn’t going to reveal Virginia’s secret to the world and upset her family or broadcast it around town. For some reason, he thought about how livid Virginia’s dad had always been with him. He’d almost told the guy a few times that he wasn’t the one who took advantage of his daughter, but he cared too much about Virginia to hurt her like that. But it was time to clear things up with Abi, no matter what anyone else thought about him. The next step would be telling her about the day Virginia died and how miserable Stone had made her. One step at a time.

Stone drew in a deep breath and said a quick prayer for strength. He could do this. He could reveal his secrets to the woman he wanted to love forever. “Can we … talk?” His voice kind of squeaked out the word talk, but at least, it was out in the room. It seemed to linger in the air like one of Blue’s protein shake farts.

Abi’s eyes widened. She set her water bottle down and cautiously said, “You want to talk?”

“Yes, yes, I do.” As he said it, he grew stronger and knew he could do this. Tell her the truth and still protect Virginia’s secret from the world. He could talk, at least to Abi.

Abi ran across the small living room and jumped, almost knocking him off his feet. She wrapped her legs around his back and screamed, “I love you, Stone Ryland!”

Stone held onto her waist and couldn’t help but laugh. He loved this exuberant, impulsive woman more than any person in the world.

Abi grabbed his face and kissed him. Stone responded, oh how he responded. He poured his love and his desire for her into that kiss, and before he knew what he was doing, he’d sunk down onto the couch with her still wrapped around him. He kissed her lips then her neck then her lips again. His hands explored her back and the curve of her waist. He tried to remember to be strong, but she was right that they had only kissed wearing snowsuits. Having her close to him was absolutely impossible to resist.

* * *

Abi was on fire from her head to her feet. Stone’s firm body close, his lips caressing hers, and his hands doing their own dance across her back. When he framed her face with his hands and murmured, “I love you too, Abi,” she wanted to pause and cry tears of happiness, but she was too busy kissing him again. His lips were so firm and warm. They eradicated any rational thought. She wasn’t planning on ever telling him how many men she’d kissed, but she wanted to tell him that it had never, ever felt like this. Yes, his kiss made her want to run and find a justice of the peace to make things official, but more than that, it was filled with friendship and true love.

Through the roar of happiness in her ears, she registered the garage door clacking loudly up. It was always noisy, but in the wintertime, each crank open sounded like it was going to shatter.

She yanked away from Stone and slid off his lap, straightening her hair. “Julia,” she managed to say.

“Does she not know?” He pointed back and forth between them.

“She’s been working late on a case the past couple of nights. She probably thinks I’m still ticked at you. Do you want her to find out about us and drill you with twenty questions, or do you want me to tell her after you go?”

Stone chuckled. “I’ll say hello to her then go.”

Abi thought that would probably be much easier on him, but wait, what about the talk he’d just offered so beautifully?

The back door popped open. “I’m home,” Julia sang out.

Stone stood, and it was all Abi could do to not grab his hand. She stood next to him. “Hey, sis.”

“Hey.” Her eyes lit up as she saw Stone. “I thought that was your truck. You two friends again?”

“Yep.” Abi answered. “We went skiing today and snuck into the Grand Summit’s pool.”

“I love that pool.” Julia was giving them the normal sisterly eyes, full of questions that had dang well better be answered. Too bad eyes like that didn’t work to pry out Stone’s secrets and thoughts. No, he had promised they would talk. Abi was going to trust in that.

“I’d better go,” Stone said. “I know you both have to work early in the morning.” He started toward the front door, and Abi followed him. “Good to see you, Julia.”

“You too.”

Abi knew she was in for twenty questions, but she had to walk Stone out first. She needed at least one more of his kisses, and she needed to commit him to that talk he promised tomorrow. She shouldn’t have interrupted the talk with kissing, but it had been so worth it.

He held the door, and they walked onto the porch. It was freezing. Stone quickly wrapped her in his arms. “Where were we?” he whispered huskily.

Abi giggled and stood on tiptoes. “We were going to have a heart-to-heart talk.”

Stone tenderly kissed her. “Hey, I’m not the one who jumped on the other one and interrupted the talk. You’ve got nobody to blame but yourself.”

Abi trailed her hand along his jawline then kissed it softly. “I’ll take the blame. Is every kiss going to be like that for us?”

Stone groaned. “I hope so.” Then he took full possession of her mouth, lifting her slightly off her feet as he pulled her up and in.

Abi returned his kiss wholeheartedly. He deepened the kiss, and every nerve in her body seemed to be on full alert. Finally, he released her and set her feet back on the ground. “I’d better let you get back inside so you don’t freeze.”

“It’s cold out here?” she asked, kissing his neck.

Stone chuckled. “I guess we can freeze together.” He started kissing her again, and after who knew how much longer, he released her. “Julia is going to have a few questions for you.”

“I might be up all night answering her questions.”

“I can think of something a lot more fun you could do all night.”

Abi laughed and forced herself to back out of his arms. “We’re talking tomorrow, right?”

“If we have to.” He winked at her. “Yes, we’ll talk. Can I pick you up at six? Let’s go to Red Rock. We can share mac and cheese and chicken schnitzel.”

“Sounds good.” Though she couldn’t care less about delicious food, she only wanted to be with him. Finally getting some questions answered and having a heart to heart would be almost as fabulous as his kisses.

She gave him one more quick kiss. Then he pushed the door open behind her. “Night,” she said.

“I love you, Abi,” he whispered.

Abi’s eyes widened. He’d said it twice, and it was the most amazing feeling she’d ever had. He kissed like a champion with magic powers, and he’d promised her they’d talk. She wasn’t sure what the talk was about it, but she didn’t care. Stone was going to talk. Was this really her best friend Stone or had aliens taken over his body?

“I love you.” Then she was kissing him again, and she didn’t even care that the door was open and Julia probably saw it all.

Much later, she walked inside, shivering with cold but lit up from Stone’s declaration of love and his warm lips and hands.

Julia was standing in the living room staring at her. “What in the Sam Hill is going on?”

Abi wrapped her arms around herself. “I love him.” She sighed dreamily.

“You’ve always loved him.”

“Yes, but he finally admitted that he loves me back.”

Julia’s eyebrows shot up. “You’ve got some talking to do.”

Abi nodded her head and grinned like a clown. “Yes, he promised he’s going to talk to me tomorrow.”

“Okay, come back down to earth and talk to your sister.”

“And he kisses like heaven.” Abi released a happy sigh and sank onto the couch.

Julia gave a much-less-excited sigh and sat down next to her. “Spill it.”

Abi grabbed her hand and happily complied.