Page 32 of The Red-Hot Stakes

His hand patted my hip. “Nice. This time you’ll want to go a little to the left.” He helped me line up again, his hand never leaving me.

When I pushed the trigger this time, I nearly hit the target on center.

“Way to go, Red!”

I tilted my head up and back. Electricity shot between us, a thousand sparks jumping between the miniscule space separating our bodies. I stopped breathing.

His words came out as little more than a whisper, “You feel that, too?”

I bobbed my head, frozen until the employee yelled, “Keep it moving.”

Air hit my lungs, and time sped up once more. I grabbed my empty bucket in a daze. Liam stepped off the platform, offering me his hand to help me down, and I gratefully accepted. But he didn’t let go once we were both on solid ground.

“What next?” His voice was husky and quiet as we walked away from the apple cannon.

I still felt shell-shocked from whatever had happened on the platform. “Maybe a snack? I could go for cider and donuts right about now.” He stared at me long enough that I furrowed my brow. “What?”

His broad shoulders moved up in a teasing shrug. “I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who eats as many donuts as you.”

A sheepish smile played on my lips, though I fought it. I tugged on his hand, leading him to the large metal barn with the big sign that read ‘Cider and Donuts’. “There’s nothing like donuts with a cup of freshly pressed apple cider, outside on a picnic table in the crisp fall air.” I stared up at the brilliant blue sky, grinning happily.

“Where the yellow jackets abound, and it’s frosty in the morning, but seventy by mid-afternoon. And the goldenrod hasn’t quite died yet.”

“Really? Isn’t fall football time? And that’s your thing.” I scanned his body, taking in his big broad shoulders, tapered waist, powerful legs. “You played right?”

A whisper of sadness crossed his face, then he shook his head. “I don’t want to talk about it. All I can think about is how amazing those donuts smell. Come on!” And he pulled me along so fast, I had to run to keep up.

The smell of fresh donuts mixed with cinnamon and sugar hit me full force when we stepped inside the wide-open barn doors. Liam ordered first, getting a cinnamon sugar donut along with a cup of cider.

“Same for me.” I had to let go of his hand as he paid, and I instantly missed the connection. I needed to get a grip.

And not on him.

Our order was ready in no time. Once we had our food, I led us to a picnic table in the sun, and he settled next to me, leaving the far bench open. I eyed him warily. “Brave choice.”

He frowned, his confusion evident.

“Our combined weight could topple this table right over.”

“Nah.” He shook his head, smirking. “This baby is solid. Besides, I want to be all up in your space, so you can yell at me again.”

I elbowed him, recalling that day at the restaurant we’d shared a booth. “You were so in my space.”

His mouth twitched, then we both started laughing. “You were so mad!”

“I couldn’t even open my menu without your beefy arms in my way.” I gave him another gentle shove, and he shoved me back. Then we both settled down, his thigh pressing against mine. I ignored the tingling sensation the contact sent through me and took a messy bite of my still warm donut. I laughed again when I saw Liam doing the same, his chin covered in cinnamon and sugar.

“You’re not much better.” He chuckled.

We both wiped our faces, and I licked my fingers, enjoying every bit. The tang of the cider collided with the sweetness of the donut, and I moaned as the cool, refreshing liquid slid down my throat. “There is nothing like fresh cider.”

His green eyes darkened as he stared at me. “No, there’s not.” He raised his own cup to his lips and took a swallow.

I envied the cup, wondering again how those lips would feel pressed against mine. Discomfited, I shifted, focusing again on my donut. Kissing Liam, not something I ever dreamt I’d be fantasizing about.

“Whatcha thinking?”

Quickly I chomped down on the donut, giving myself time to form an appropriate response. “Wagon ride or corn maze?”

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