Page 85 of Can't Fight the Moonlight

"Thanks for working on all this. I need to think about everything you said."

"No problem. I like business problems and challenges, puzzles to figure out."

"I guess I'm happy that I've given you a puzzle to work."

He grinned. "How about giving me something else that's fun—maybe a kiss?"

"You have probably earned it." She got up from her chair, leaned across the desk and met him in what should have been a lighthearted kiss, but as soon as their mouths touched, the desire flared.

He grabbed her shoulders and held her in place as their kiss got deep and hot.

She broke away a second later, her eyes sparkling. "You're like a fire. Every time I get too close, I feel like you're going to consume me."

"That's how you make me feel, too," he said, wondering how he was going to walk away from her in a few days.

The door opened behind Lizzie, and she jumped, stepping away from the desk as Shay walked in.

Shay gave them a surprised look. "Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt."

"It's fine," Lizzie said, tucking her hair behind her ears. "What's up?"

"Naomi is almost done packing up picnic boxes. Ramon will take them down to the beach in the truck. The guests will be meeting in the foyer in thirty minutes."

"Great."

"I'm going to head down to the beach now, to set up our table. I'm assuming you're coming with the guests."

"Yes, I'll make sure everyone has a ride. Thanks, Shay."

"No problem. And no hurry. We still have an hour. You can finish up whatever you were doing…" She gave them both a smile and then left.

"So, we have a little time," he said.

"No, we don't," Lizzie said quickly. "I need to get ready for the picnic. I didn't realize it was so late. Time seems to fly when we're together."

He was becoming acutely aware of just how fast time was flying. But he couldn't think about the end, not yet. They still had a couple of days…a couple of nights.

"Are you coming to the beach?"

"I'll come down with my grandparents. But later tonight…you and me?"

"I should say no, because it feels like every minute we're together is just going to make it harder to say good-bye," she said.

"Or we could take advantage of the time we have."

"I'll think about it."

As he got to his feet and followed her out of the office, he knew he should think about it, too. On the other hand, while their affair might have an end date, that date didn't have to be today. Hopefully, she'd agree. Because he wanted at least one more night with her.

Chapter Eighteen

An hour later,Lizzie had sent all the guests, except for two, down to the beach. Now, she was waiting for Noah and Alice to come downstairs. She'd volunteered to drive them to the lake, and she was looking forward to finding out more about their reunion story. She was also happy to have a little more space from Justin. She didn't know what she was going to do about him, but she didn't think she'd have much success in saying no to anything he asked. She was too caught up in him. He lit her up every time he kissed her, and she wanted to hang on to that feeling as long as she could.

Her heart twisted at the thought of never seeing him again and she mentally scolded herself for getting so emotionally involved. But it was too late now. It was what it was.

Thankfully, her distracting and depressing thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Noah and Alice. They both looked happy and relaxed, dressed in casual beach wear. Noah wore tan slacks and a cream-colored shirt. Alice had on a sundress with sandals. The smiles on their faces were as bright and sunny as the day outside.

"We're ready," Noah said. "Thanks for waiting."

---