As he walked close to Nicole, Jonathan felt more content and happy than he had in a long time. Nicole did that for him. He liked that she’d worn her straight black hair free today to hang down her back. Her full lips begged to be kissed. He was a red-blooded male and he wanted her, but he also wanted to know the woman under the sexy body. He admired that she had a career she loved. It didn’t hurt that she was beautiful with those big brown eyes and long lashes, either.

She’d seemed uptight the first time he’d met her. Something inside him had wanted to make her smile. Today, she’d smiled a lot. He hoped he’d done that. In the years since his divorce he’d buried himself under a pile of work, the only way he knew to recover from his ex’s betrayal. He’d needed the laughter and fun he’d had today with Nicole.

Once they were seated in the large tent that doubled as a pub, Jonathan ordered them each a glass of Pinot Grigio then saluted her with his glass after they’d been served. “To the past and current Evergreen Slap-The-Swine champ.”

Nicole clinked her glass against his, laughing. The sound, carefree and clear as crystal, arrowed straight to his heart, and as he sipped his drink, he watched her over the rim of the glass. His ex-wife’s betrayal had taken a hard toll on him, and he’d learned to tread carefully where his heart was concerned. Some of the women he’d dated after Alicia only reinforced his resolve to be careful. With Nicole, he found himself relaxed, enjoying her company, wanting more. But he sensed she kept her emotions close and wondered why. He’d been cautious too long; maybe it was time he tried a relationship again. The thought sent a frisson of apprehension through him. Perhaps he wasn’t as ready as he hoped, but he could at least try. He drew a deep breath. “Nicole.” She turned those sexy bedroom eyes on him, and the words dried in his throat.

You’ve asked women out before, guy. Man up. Listening to himself, Jonathan locked his gaze with hers. “We should do this again, except go to dinner or a movie. A real date.”

Anxiety thrummed through him. He felt like a sixteen-year-old asking out the prettiest girl in school. Nicole’s eyes widened, and she glanced away. He tensed, waiting, and took a swig of wine. She turned back to him with a smile, and a thrill shot through him.

“I’d like that,” she said.

“Great.” He grinned and saluted her with his glass. Nicole’s gaze fell on his arm. As he’d raised it, sunlight from an opening in the tent glinted on his tattoo, making it seem to come alive.

“Why do you have a tattoo of a snake?” she asked.

He set down his glass and rubbed the tattoo, memories slithering through him. He’d had a good reason to choose the design. “This is my reminder to be careful before I trust a person. Some people can be snakes.”

“Oh,” Nicole said. “I’m sorry.”

Jonathan waved his hand. “I’m over it.” But was he?

* * *

Nicole and Jonathan had dinner together then agreed to stay and watch the fireworks. The more time she spent with him, the more she liked Jonathan’s easy confidence, his quick smile, the way he made her feel special with a look or a touch. Each time he took her hand or pulled her close, some of the fear that chained her heart loosened, and the memory of Matthew faded.

Jonathan put his arm around her waist and held her against him as they watched the fireworks that ended the festival. A light breeze lifted her hair off her shoulders and brought the sweet scent of roses from the nearby garden. Nicole glanced up at the star-strewn sky and let out a sigh of contentment. Jonathan’s closeness warmed her more than the sultry heat of the summer night. No other man had ever given her this peace, this sense of belonging. The thought coiled a strange mix of excitement and trepidation in her.

The crowd let out ooohs and aaahs over the bright colors of blue, green, pink and yellow that burned through the sky. “The fireworks are amazing,” Nicole said.

Jonathan brushed his lips over her temple. “You’re amazing. I’d rather look at you.”

At his touch, pleasure, smooth as the wine she’d had at dinner, flowed through her. She smiled and relaxed against him. They held hands as they ambled back to the parking area after the fireworks. When they approached her Ford Escape, she unlocked the car with her remote. The car’s beep was familiar and comforting. Part of her didn’t want familiar or comforting, though. Not tonight. Not with this man.

“Where’s your car?” she asked, fighting to control her desire for him. She was usually a cautious person, especially with men. With Matthew she’d thrown caution aside and look where that had gotten her. Yet, she was drawn to Jonathan in an even more powerful way and didn’t want the night to end.

“My truck is over there.” He pointed to an old black pickup. It didn’t surprise her that he drove a truck. She figured he didn’t make a lot of money, but he seemed content with who he was: a strong, confident male. That was sexy as hell. Deep down she wished he drove a green Jaguar, but only because it would be a strange affirmation of all the things she was feeling. “Nice truck,” she said, looking up at him. “Do you believe in magic, Jonathan?”

“I believe there are things around us we can’t explain. Maybe you could call that magic. Why do you ask?”

“Just wondering.” She didn’t know why she’d asked, either. The words had slipped out, surprising her as much as his answer. “Today was fun,” she said, changing the subject.

His eyes were dark and unreadable in the dim lighting as he watched her. “It was.” He stepped closer. “Nicole.” His voice was raw with need.

Her heart began to pound, and a delicious knot tightened in her chest. She lifted her face, her body on fire, ready for his kiss. He spanned her waist with his hands and drew her against him. His scent of spice and the outdoors teased her senses. Then all thought fled as his mouth claimed hers in a drugging kiss that sent her halfway to heaven. He tasted of wine and desire. She slid her hands up his chest and wound her arms around his neck. His tongue demanded entry, and she obliged.

Pressing closer, she tunneled her fingers into the thickness of his hair. He backed her up against the car door and cradled the back of her head as his lips and tongue seduced and tempted. She barely recognized the small moan coming from deep in her throat. Their kiss went on— deep, hot, needy—until she was boneless and wanting more. So much more. The sound of nearby laughter permeated her haze. As if waking from a slow, lazy dream, she ended the kiss on a sigh. Splaying her hands on his chest, she drew away. “Wow!” she said on a labored breath.

“Double wow,” he said in a thick voice.

They both turned at the sound of giggling to see a group of teenagers watching them. A slow burn started in Nicole’s neck and spread upward.

Jonathan stepped back. “I think we’ve put on enough of a show.”

She swallowed. “I guess so. I need to get going. My practice is open a half day tomorrow, and my first patient is at eight.”

“I need your phone number.”

Nicole paused. Was she really going to do this—date Jonathan? Hell, yes. “Okay,” she said. “Give me your phone and I’ll put in my number. I want yours too.”

She smiled all the way home.