Page 46 of Any Luck at All

Her body was alive, but the tenderness of his touch, as if she was something precious to treasure, drew her to him like a magnet.

Wrapping a hand around the back of his neck, she tugged him closer and deepened the kiss, and he eagerly accepted the invitation, exploring her mouth with his tongue.

But then her stomach grumbled, and River pulled back with a grin. “Itispretty late. We should probably think about something for dinner other than cinnamon rolls.”

Damn her stomach. She leaned back in her chair, realizing her hips were sore from leaning into the table. It wasn’t very romantic leaning across the kitchen table to kiss him, yet the happiness on River’s face made it clear he didn’t have a problem with it.

“How about we order pizza?” he asked, already getting up to grab his phone from the kitchen counter.

“Yeah,” she said, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek, her head already swooping in for damage control.

“Do you have a preference for toppings?” he asked.

She got up and grimaced as she turned to face him. “Maybe we should just call it a night. It’s been a pretty long day.”

Disappointment flickered over his face, but it was quickly replaced by understanding. “Of course, Georgie, but you’re still staying at the hotel, right? Unless you were planning on getting room service, why don’t we move to the sofa and talk or watch Netflix, or whatever you want to do to unwind before the pizza gets here?”

She had to admit that sounded ten times better than being alone at the hotel, but if she stayed…she was worried where that kiss would lead.

When she hesitated, he added, “I don’t know if you’re having second thoughts about what just happened, but I’m okay with whatever direction you want to take. If you want to pretend that kiss never happened, I won’t deny that I’ll be disappointed, but I also understand and promise to respect your decision. And if you decide it wasn’t a mistake, I want you to know I won’t pressure you into anything you’re not ready for.”

Releasing a sigh, she wondered how he could be so perfect. Her mouth twisted into a playful grin as her resolve weakened. “Surely you have some flaws, River Reeves. You’re much too perfect for a mortal man.”

He laughed and stepped toward her, close enough that she could feel the heat of his body, yet he didn’t reach for her. “So it’s my flaws you’re after?”

“It might be nice to know there are a few,” she said, resisting the urge to lift her hand and run it through his dark hair.

“Okay,” he said, shifting his weight and moving a fraction of an inch closer while keeping his eyes on hers. His gaze dipped to her lips, and she stifled the urge to moan. “I squeeze the toothpaste tube in the middle. Um…” He rubbed his chin as his gaze darted to the puppy sleeping on top of the sandal before shifting back to her face. “Sometimes I wait too long to fill up the gas tank in my car.”

She chuckled.

“And I’m not a fan of making my bed.” He shrugged. “No one ever sees my bed, so what’s the point?” Then, as though realizing what he’d said, his cheeks flushed with the tiniest amount of pink.

The urge to reach up and kiss him again was strong, but she resisted as she tried to wear a mock-serious face. “Those all sound like deal breakers to me.”

He shrugged, his eyes still playful, but his gaze was fully on her mouth now.

She took a step back. “So, that pizza. Veggie or something with meat?”

“Lady’s choice,” he said, rubbing a hand over the top of his head. “I can pull up the menu for my favorite pizza place and let you pick.”

She shook her head. “Get your favorite. Surprise me.”

He started to place the order and she headed to the bathroom. When she emerged, he was picking up the now-awake puppy and heading for the door. “Another bathroom run.”

“I can’t believe he hasn’t made a mess yet,” she said.

Grabbing the leash off the table, he said, “Don’t jinx it.”

After he went outside, she grabbed her phone from the kitchen counter and checked for any missed calls or messages. There were multiple emails she could ignore, but Lee had sent her a text.

Dad’s furious with you about the brewery and wants you to present a full business plan within forty-eight hours.

What? Her father didn’t own Buchanan Brewery, yet he thought he was going to tell her how to run it? Not a snowball’s chance in hell. She could only imagine how he’d react if he found out that the man who would inherit the brewery if she failed was now their brewmaster. And that they were becoming romantically involved.

What was she thinking? Whatever this was that she’d started between them was a terrible, terrible idea. Wasn’t it?

She was scowling when River returned, the puppy trotting next to him as big as he pleased. River took one look at her and some of the happiness dimmed from his eyes.

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