Moonlight Kiss

Reid nodded as he headed over to the table and started tossing paper plates into the green garbage bag Addison had started filling earlier. “I’ll hold you to it.” “Bring the leftovers and the rest of the champagne.” She hobbled over and picked up the flowers.

“Excellent idea. I’ll even pack up the raspberries.” He swiped his finger in some frosting and licked it off. Addison watched as he sucked the top of his finger, and suddenly felt warm all over. “Mmm, really good. Now go get what you need.”

“My bathing suit?” Addison asked over her shoulder.

“Totally optional.”

“Ah, then I think I’ll leave it behind.”

Reid gave her a slow smile, showing off that sexy dimple. “Addison?”

“Yes?” Her heart pounded. There might be no expectations, but it was pretty obvious where the evening was headed.

“Hurry.”

“No problem.” Addison took the stairs as fast as her sore feet would carry her. But the fatigue she’d been feeling suddenly vanished. Her second wind had her slipping out of her dress, letting it pool in a pretty puddle at her feet. She smiled when she put the flowers in water. She wasn’t even going to try to kid herself. Right or wrong, she was happy that Reid showed up.

After tugging on her favorite, worn boyfriend jeans she grabbed a T-shirt and gently slipped her feet into rubber-soled flip-flops. “Ahhh . . .” Not knowing if she would actually muster up the nerve to soak in the hot tub naked, Addison located a royal blue bikini, one of two that she had with her. The rest of her clothing and some other personal items were being shipped by her parents but hadn’t arrived just yet.

After pulling her curls up into a ponytail she tossed some toiletries into a canvas bag, glad that her shop was closed on Sundays until business picked up a bit more, so she could have a day to rest up. Wait . . . her shop. Addison smiled. It was hard to believe that her life had taken this sudden and exciting turn.

Tonight, however, she wasn’t going to think or worry about anything and just enjoy spending time with the handsome man waiting for her downstairs. Sometimes no plan is the best plan of all.

A soft knock at her door had her smiling. “Come in,” she called, and when Reid entered she felt a little flutter in her stomach.

“All of the perishables are put away and I took the garbage out to the Dumpster. We do need a bag for the leftover cake and champagne.”

“Thanks. Follow me into the kitchen.”

He smiled and simply stood there and looked at her.

“What?”

“You looked incredible in that dress and sexy heels, but I like you even more in jeans, a T-shirt, and flip- flops.”

Addison swallowed hard when he walked slowly toward her. He was going to kiss her. She’d seen it in his eyes, felt it in the rapid beat of her own heart. Oh God . . .

This is it.

This was what Mia had been talking about. Could Reid Greenfield be the real deal? Could she finally, truly be falling in love? Addison felt a little flash of fear when all kinds of what-ifs started buzzing around in her brain. But when Reid pulled her into his arms and kissed her all she could think about was how good it felt. She knew it was an old-fashioned notion, but being wrapped in his arms made her feel safe, secure, and happy to the point of being giddy.

“I’ve been thinking about seeing you, kissing you, all week long.”

Addison put her hands on his broad shoulders and raised her eyebrows. “So, how was it?”

“Even better than I imagined.” He leaned in and captured her lips in another sweet, lingering kiss. “Are you ready to go?”

She nodded.

“Good. We should get there in time to see the sunset over the river. By the way, I like what you’ve done with this loft.”

“Thanks! It helps having a really nice antiques shop right next door. I can’t wait to have more time to shop at the thrift stores up on Main Street.”

“Ever been to a flea market?”

“No, but it sounds like fun.”

“There’s a big one at the county fairgrounds every weekend. We’ll go when you get the chance. I’m pretty good at refinishing furniture.”

“I’d like that,” Addison said, and took his offered hand.

“Good. It’s a hobby I enjoy. And gives me a chance to impress you.” He picked up the canvas bag for the cake and they headed downstairs.

The waning sunlight softened the brightness of the late-spring day, slicing through the tops of the trees along the riverbank. Lush and full from recent rain, the woods along the rolling hills blended into various shades of green. “I never knew that Kentucky was such a pretty state. My only visit was to the Kentucky Derby in Louisville.”

“You’d enjoy driving through horse country in Lexington. The horse park is beautiful.”

“Do you miss it?”

Reid glanced at her. “Sometimes. I really liked going to college there. I have my favorite restaurants.” He grinned. “The Tolly-Ho is open twenty-four/seven and has some of the best burgers on the planet. And you haven’t lived until you’ve had the cheesy tots with bacon and chili.”

“That sounds like it could kill you.”

Reid laughed. “No, it’s what you do before you go to The Ho at four in the morning that could kill you. Of course, on the other side of the ledger is Malone’s, consistently voted one of the best steakhouses in the country. And while the Derby in Louisville is sweet, my favorite is going to the races at Keeneland. Don’t even get me started about Kentucky basketball.”

“No, I think it’s really cool to be proud of and love where you come from. I still think of Chicago as home. I know I sure miss deep-dish pizza from Giordano’s and I’ll forever be a Cubs fan. While I don’t have anything against chains, I think it’s more fun to eat at local haunts. I stopped at a lot of fun diners while I drove across the country. I know it’s difficult for mom-and-pops to compete financially so I always support them.”

“I agree one hundred percent.” Reid nodded as he turned the truck off the main road onto little more than a dirt path. “Cricket Creek struggled for a long time. If it wasn’t for the baseball stadium this town might have all but dried up.”

“That’s what Mia told me. So, your cabin is back here?”

“It’s part of our property, but I’m taking you the back way. My dad used it as a fishing hideaway but I’ve been improving it little by little. Braden helped me add the lower back deck last summer.”

“Oh look! There are three deer!” She pointed out the window. “Oh, and a baby.”

“They’re all over. Be careful that you don’t hit one. They like to cross the road to get to the cornfields. You know that deer-in-the-headlights saying?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s what they do.”

“Thanks—I’ll remember that.” Now that they were almost to his cabin Addison felt a flutter of nervous excitement. When the A-frame cabin came into view Addison turned to him. “You were being modest. It’s gorgeous.”

“Thanks.” Reid shrugged. “I’ve got a ways to go but it’s getting there.” He came around and opened the door of the truck, offering his hand to help her down. “It’s open. Just take your purse and I’ll grab the rest.”

Brick pavers led to matching steps and a wide wraparound porch. “Oh, the outdoor furniture is really cool.” She turned to Reid. “Is it from repurposed wood?”

Reid nodded. “Yeah, we were doing that before it became the in thing to do. Last spring Jeff, Braden, and I built the bench to match the chairs Dad built years ago. The wood came from an old shed we tore down.”