Page 14 of Alistair

Okay.

That was the most amazing thing a guy had ever said to her.

It didn’t feel like flattery, it just felt like the truth.

She wanted to tell him that shedidtrust him already, but her brain took that moment to remind her that she’d trusted her ex right away, and he’d betrayed her over and over.

And Alistair was a hundred times sexier than he was, so he probably had women chasing after him all the time.

She wanted to trust him, but she needed time.

“I appreciate that,” she said finally.

He nodded and reached for a slice of bruschetta. “This is really good, but I’m genuinely starving and can’t wait for our next stop.”

“Me too!” she said. “Although that burger at the park was really delicious.”

“Tarquin and Lucy run the burger stall; they do a great job. Since Lucy was helping out with the tours, another staff member took her place with the food. I usually grab something in the employee cafeteria, but if they’ve got a good burger of the day, I’ll eat out in the park. Once I took a burger with me into one ofthe paddocks and Tank nearly knocked me over trying to get to it.”

She laughed. “I didn’t know moose liked to eat burgers.”

“They shouldn’t, but he’s a character. Needless to say, I don’t take food in there with me. Except for carrots, of course.”

“I’d love to see him up close,” she said.

“Anytime, just let me know.”

“Really?”

“Sure. What fun is it working with the animals if I can’t share it with people who are important to me?”

She knew her eyes went wide at that, and she watched as his cheeks darkened and he cleared his throat in what almost sounded like a gruff growl.

She smiled to herself. He thought she was important!

She was going to hold that thought in her heart for now.

Because it was awesome.

The steakhouse had been amazing. Alistair couldn’t recall having a nicer time in a restaurant than he had with Maggie. He’d worried she might feel awkward after sharing her heartbreak over the appetizers, but she’d come out of her shell after that and he’d been fully charmed by her.

She was intelligent and sweet, with the prettiest smile that made her eyes light up. His elephant was head over tusks for her and wanted to take her home immediately and tell her the truth about everything.

Knowing that she had some wariness about being hurt again made him worry about the secret he had to keep. Because while his elephant was ready to spill the beans, he knew he couldn’t. Not yet.

He didn’t want her to think he was keeping things from her, but he definitely would be. Which meant treading carefully and doing his best to win her heart so hecouldtell her everything.

As they’d left the steakhouse, he’d been tempted to invite her to the apartment for dessert, but in the end, he’d driven a mile down the road to a gelato shop, where they each got small cups—hers was limoncello and his was dark chocolate—and sat on stools in the corner to share and talk some more.

Had he ever talked so much in his life?

He didn’t think so.

But despite the conversation, he still mulled overwhat to do next.

Take her home! his elephant chided him.

He knew he couldn’t. Because while it would be the very best idea he’d ever had and would possibly lead to what he suspected would be the best night of his life, he didn’t want her to feel like the only thing he was after was the intimate stuff.

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