Page 25 of Come to Me

“I hope that’s a good thing.”

“It was good for me. Was it good for you?” She winked at the cliché usually reserved for sex.

“I enjoyed it very much.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “That’s it?”

His head tilted; his brow furrowed. “Why do I feel like my words are falling short again?”

“Well, it’s only that I saw stars. I enjoyed it very much is so formal. Like I served you tea and cakes.”

“Right…okay, how about this, I saw stars too.”

“Nope, you can’t use my example. You need to come up with your own.”

“Hmm.” He feigned thinking about it, and Micki found herself charmed by how easily he was playing along, especially since moments ago he was so broody. He could have just as easily been annoyed or offended.

She waited for a moment and then started to snore, hinting that it was taking him too long.

“Okay, I’ve got it.” He pushed a tendril of her hair that had escaped from her ponytail back. “Your kiss made me feel alive.”

Micki blinked as his words filtered in and her heart fluttered that way it did at the first bloom of affection.

His lips twitched up. “I believe I’ve left you speechless.”

“Yes, well it doesn’t happen often.”

“I’m sure it doesn’t. But it’s true. I’ve been empty inside for a long time. Thank you for helping me put things in perspective. For challenging me... and for listening. I needed that, Michaela.”

The way he said her name added to the connection, the intimacy she was feeling with him. “Happy to help.”

They sat quietly for another moment when Patrick rose and held out his hand to her. “I understand that fishing is an early morning activity, so I should get some rest before my outing with Tate.”

Micki took his hand so he could help her up, and bit back a groan of disappointment that Patrick was ending the night. “You’re really good with him, but you don’t have to?—”

“But I do. I said I would. And I want to. I have to figure out this whole relaxing in the woods thing.”

“Well, if you catch anything, we’ll cook it for supper.”

He blinked. “I have no idea what that is.”

“Dinner.”

“I look forward to it.” They walked together from the dock to his cabin. “I feel as if I should walk you home.”

“Why? I know the way.”

He laughed. “Manners, I suppose.”

“Yes, well, it would be bad manners for me to let you walk around out here when you don’t know the place. Who knows if there are bears lurking about.”

His smile faltered and he scanned the area as if he expected a bear ready to eat its supper. “You’re joking right?”

“Just stay in your cabin. You’ll be safe.” She patted his chest, noting how firm it felt. She wondered if there would be a time before he left when she might be able to see it bare. Perhaps she’d invite him swimming, once all her chores were done, of course.

She left Patrick and returned to her room, getting ready for bed. She lay, replaying the evening in her head. She’d helped him. He said so, but she also sensed it. He’d been wallowing in self-pity when she found him, but by the time she left, he’d smiled and even bantered with her. She couldn’t explain why, but she wanted to help him more. She felt a pull to him that was partly lust, but also something deeper.

She thought of Ricky Childress, the boy whose family had come to the lake and with whom she’d had a sweet little summer romance that ended with her first kiss the night before his family returned home. Would Patrick be interested in something like that? Was Patrick the type of man who’d have a no-string-attached fling?

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