“Of course! It’s just that I . . . what if we don’t . . . I mean, we’re only at the beginning of this relationship, and . . .” Her voice trailed off.
“You’re worried the fireworks might fizzle.”
She nodded.
“I’ve already considered that—and I don’t think it’s going to happen. I’m convinced the odds are in our favor.”
“But what if you’re wrong?”
He shrugged. “There are no guarantees in life, and I accept that. If by some chance the two of us go our separate ways, Hope Harbor has other compensations—like Charley’s tacos and Sweet Dreams cinnamon rolls.” He winked and gave her a slow smile that set off another round of those fireworks he’d mentioned.
Given all the rockets and sparklers going off inside her, it was not easy to engage the left side of her brain—but she tried her best to analyze his response. Was he making a compromise he wasn’t entirely certain about and might later regret?
Hard to tell, with her mind in a muddle—but he seemed sincere. Looked sincere. Sounded sincere. And the warmth in his eyes felt sincere.
Still grinning, he tapped the tip of her nose with his finger. “Stop thinking so hard. This is what I want to do—and I’m not changing my mind. Subject closed.”
In that case . . .
“When you put it like that, how can I argue?” She scooted closer. “So what’s the plan with Nicole?”
His lips flattened. “Wait her out, I guess. We can’t force her to leave. But until she does, I think the two of us need to be discreet and keep our distance. Since she already suspects I’m interested in you, I’d rather not fuel the fire by her seeing us together.”
“So we’re going to let her run our lives?” Marci backed off a few inches and crossed her arms. Allowing other people to dictate their behavior stunk—and she’d vowed never to do that again after her experience with Jack.
“No.” In contrast to her huffiness, his tone was calm and reasoned. “We’re going to be smart and let this go away all by itself. I’d rather she leave on her own than force her hand. It will be far tidier—and less dangerous.”
“Maybe if she sees us together she’ll realize her pursuit is a lost cause and leave sooner.”
“Or she’ll get mad and do who knows what.”
“It’s hard to be invisible or get away with much in a small town. And the police could watch her.”
“Not every minute of the day and night. Hope Harbor doesn’t have those kinds of resources. Very few police departments do.”
She scowled. “I hate letting her have this much control over our lives.”
“It doesn’t sit well with me either. I’m not one to run from a fight. But I’ve tangled with her once and she doesn’t play by any rules I learned. Will you do it my way for now?” He stroked a finger over her lips, leaving a trail of warmth in its wake.
Mmm.
Nice.
“I think this borders on coercion.” She tried not to purr as her eyelids drifted closed.
“Is it working?” His husky question sent a tingle down her spine.
Oh yeah.
“Uh-huh.”
“Maybe this will work even better.”
Before she could open her eyes to gauge his intent, he lowered his mouth to hers.
Oh.
Man.
The scent of earthy, intoxicating sandalwood surrounded her as he tucked her firmly against his chest while his lips worked magic.
As soon as she could gather her wits, she wrapped her arms around his neck and matched him stroke for stroke, touch for touch, nip for nip.
Bliss.
When they surfaced a few minutes later, she was breathing hard.
“That was . . .” Her voice wobbled, and she swallowed. “That was some first kiss.”
“I agree.” He nuzzled her neck, his touch electrifying every pore in its wake.
“I, uh, don’t think we have to worry about fireworks petering out.” She fanned herself with her hand. “At least not on my end.”
He lifted his head, his irises the same intense cobalt hue as the fathomless waters of the deep. “Mine either.”
“I’m glad we’re on the same page.” Forking her fingers through the thick hair at the back of his neck, she grazed the stubble on his chin with her lips.
A low growl rumbled in his throat. “Quit tempting me.” He eased back, and she let her hand slide to lie flat against his chest, where the hard, rapid pounding of his heart throbbed against her fingertips. “It’s the middle of the night, we’re here alone . . . and I’m not a saint. We need to stop.”
“You started it.”
“Guilty as charged.” Although he didn’t appear to be in the least repentant. “Are you sorry?”
“Nope.”
“I probably shouldn’t have.” He played with a tendril of her hair. “But I didn’t want to leave any doubts about my feelings, and it could be a while until we can do this again.”
Because of Nicole.
Some of her euphoria faded.
She was liking the woman less and less with every passing minute.
“Are you certain you can’t convince her to leave?”
“I tried the day she arrived. She was not receptive to my message. And both Lexie and Eric have advised I not speak with her again.”
She hiked up her eyebrows. “You talked to an attorney?”
“I’m trying to cover all the bases.”
“Has she bothered you since that first day?”
“Other than sitting outside the house and following me wherever I go, no.”
Marci suppressed a shiver. “This is very creepy.”
“Yeah.” He twisted his wrist and squinted at his watch. “I should leave. It’s getting really late, and you have to be exhausted.”
“Not as much anymore. My adrenaline is pinging like crazy—in a very pleasant way, thanks to you.”
He grinned. “Should I apologize?”
“Not a bad idea. But why not let actions speak louder than words?”
She tugged his head back down.
He didn’t resist.
When they at last separated, she rested her forehead against his chin. “Okay. You’re forgiven.”
A soft, deep chuckle tickled her ear. “If this is all it takes to make up with you after a fight, we’re never going to be mad at each other for very long.”
“I’ll hold you to that.”
With
