“What is all of this?” she asked as she stepped near him.

“We’re going to enjoy a picnic beneath the stars,” he said.

She walked closer and peered inside the tent. A large, comfortable bedlike lounger with a blanket and cushions overlooked a soothing fire and the water. Maverick had a picnic set up on a side table.

“Can we even see through the top of the tent?” she asked.

“Ah, the top is clear and there’s a ventilation hole for the smoke. I don’t want you getting chilled.”

When she entered the tent, she realized it was a gas fire, which she supposed was good. At least it wouldn’t burn out or send sparks flying at them, popping their air mattress. She could feel the warmth of the fire. It was as heavenly as the entire setting.

“You really do know how to sweep a woman off her feet, don’t you?” she said as he led her over to the picnic area.

“I’ve never done anything like this for another woman,” he told her, the truth burning in his eyes.

“You better quit telling me stuff like that, or I might not let you go,” she said, only half joking.

“I might not want you to,” he said right back, making those butterflies in her stomach take flight. “I see you found my sweats. What happened with the stuff Stormy sent over?”

His innocent question set her cheeks to glowing. “She didn’t think I needed much more than lace and silk.”

His eyes rounded before a hungry growl rumbled from his throat. “Hmm. I might just have to insist on you changing.”

“Not going to happen,” she said before she sat down on the lounger with the cushions.

“A guy can wish, can’t he?” he said as he joined her, then immediately began placing items on a plate for her. It was all finger foods, which she loved.

“Did you do all of this?”

Handing her the plate, he shrugged. “I came up with it, but I have to admit that I hired it all out so I could wait at the hospital.”

“Have you been watching the Hallmark Channel?” She took another drink of wine, and he topped off her glass. She was feeling much warmer inside and out with the tasty drink. Her worries from the hospital were fading farther and farther away.

“What’s that?” he asked. It took a moment for her to remember her question.

“It’s a television station with romantic movies playing on it all the time. One of my favorites.”

“Well then, I will have to watch it, and see if these men on the shows come even close to being as suave as me,” he said with a wink.

“So far, I have to say they don’t compare.”

“I like knowing I’m in the lead,” he told her.

And the thing about it was, they really didn’t compare to him. Maverick was the type of man who got under a woman’s skin, and then he was there to stay. Even after their dates ended, he would remain lodged in her heart. Lindsey truly hoped she was able to remain friends with him because that seemed better than not having him at all.

“I left the dogs alone in the house, Mav. I completely forgot when I got down here. I don’t want anything to happen,” she said, suddenly worried about Princess and Benji.

“My housekeeper is up there keeping an eye on them. They won’t get into anything,” he assured her.

Her last worry put to rest, she closed her eyes for a moment and simply appreciated being on this private beach with Mav, the sound of the water gently splashing the shore, the stars shining bright, and the fire keeping them warm.

“Thanks for all of this, Mav. It’s exactly what I needed.”

“You can talk to me about what happened—today and when you were attacked. It might help you feel better,” he told her.

Lindsey’s throat closed as her mind spun. She wanted to share with him, but she was afraid to. She was afraid of opening wounds that were finally beginning to close again.

“I don’t think I can,” she whispered.

“When you are ready, I’m going to be here to listen,” he told her as he stood up and pulled her to her feet.

But he wouldn’t be there. That was part of the problem. In a week, maybe two, he was going to be gone again. Sure, she would see him, but it would be only once in a while.

He began rubbing her shoulder, and she immediately started turning into a puddle, ready to melt at his feet.

“I can’t think when you touch me like this, Mav,” she said, her breath starting to come out in pants.

He leaned his head on top of hers for a moment and she wished she could freeze-frame everything exactly how it was at this moment.

“Do you know what the best cure is for a hard day?” he asked seductively.

“I can imagine what it might be,” she said with a chuckle.

“So you’re willing to do anything I ask?”

Oh, how his voice was melting her. Even when she wanted to pull back from him, he made it impossible. He was bending her to his will, and she wasn’t even trying to fight it.

She murmured an incoherent reply. He turned her around and lightly brushed his lips across hers, then he deepened the kiss while he began stripping away their clothes. “I wasn’t going to do this,” she told him.

“Don’t worry, it only hurts for a minute.”

“Hurts? What?”

“Skinny-dipping.”

Her shriek as he lifted her up and ran for the water was the only sound that could be heard in the quiet of their perfect night.