Page 20 of Starry Night Kisses

Excuse me while I melt into a puddle of goo.

He throws a charming smile over his shoulder, pearly whites on display, blue eyes sparkling with warmth as they drift down my body and back to my gaze. “Impressed?”

Arching an eyebrow, I shrug a shoulder and smirk before turning to head down to the water. “I guess we’ll have to see how warm you can keep me.”

Eric laughs and winks. “Oh, don’t worry about that. I have gas heaters for both tents. It will be warm enough that you won’t even need your pajamas.”

I stop in my tracks, thinking about Bagel and Archer in a tent alone and how easily they could tip a heater over. “Gas heaters? Isn’t that dangerous?”

Eric shakes his head. “No, it will be fine. There’s a ventilation system and tip protection. Plus, a sensor in case there’s not enough oxygen. Archer stays far away from it when we’re out here by ourselves. Bagel will be toasty enough from across the tent, he won’t even try to go near it. I promise.”

I must still look worried, because Eric stands and walks over to me. “If it will make you feel better to have the dogs stay in our tent, we can do that.” He leans down, rolling his forehead across mine and adding, “Afterwe’re finished consummating this relationship,” as he passes.

“Oh, are we in a relationship now?” I ask in mock surprise.

“Yep.” He pops his p. “I decided on the drive up. I’m done waiting. You’re mine now,” he states matter-of-factly.

Before I can reply, my stomach lets out a resounding grumble, reminding me that it’s nearly time for second breakfast. Eric’s laughter floats on the slight breeze as he turns. “How about some brunch? Then we can go for a hike. There’s a place I wanna show you.”

“Oh yeah? The place you’re gonna murder me and hide my body?” I joke with a teasing, saccharine lilt.

“Nah, baby, the only thing that’s gonna get murdered on this trip is your–”

“Whoo whoo whoo!” Both dogs break out in song, charging toward the water at a pair of geese floating around the bend. The fowl ruffle their feathers before taking off, and I call Bagel back before he tries to take a swim. He ignores me, continuing the ballad of his ancestor's hunting days. “Whoo whoo whoo!”

When I look back at Eric, who is moving our bathroom for the next two days closer to the water and away from our tent, he’s wearing a wolfish grin that suggests he really does plan on murdering my–

“Whoooo whoooo whoooo!”

eric

“Favorite color?” I keep asking the questions even though I already know the answers.

It depends on the time of year.

“I don’t really have a favorite. It kind of depends on the time of year, I guess,” Evie responds, scrunching her nose as though she’s just realizing this for the first time.

It’s not that she’s predictable. It’s just that I’ve spent nearly a year studying her and already feel like I know her just as well as I know myself.

Creepy, I know.

I’m not a stalker, I swear. I just happened to find a woman who ticks every one of my boxes, and now she won’t be able to get rid of me.

“Ooh, I have a good one!” she exclaims as she ducks beneath the low, naked branches of a maple right in the middle of the trail. Her tight jeans stretch across her voluptuous ass, and I try to quiet thegroan that vibrates in my throat as I think about all the things I want to do to it later. “If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?”

Well, that’s easy. To the valley between your thighs where I’d become a permanent resident.

“Africa.” Is the answer I give out loud. “Tanzania, to be exact. I want to hike Mt. Kilimanjaro.”

A rabbit darts across our path, and Bagel lets out a long howl. It sets off Archer, and both dogs struggle against their leashes as they try to run after the poor animal. “Bagel!” Evie admonishes. “Leave the cute rabbit alone, bud.”

She moves to the side as the trail widens again, looking at me as I resume my place beside her. “Kilimanjaro, huh? Are you wanting to do the Seven Summits?”

“Nah. I wouldn’t mind doing Everest and Denali—maybe Vinson, too—but I’m not interested in the others. What about you? Same question.” The sun shines through the trees, momentarily casting Evie in a glow that makes her appear angel-like.

She smiles over at me, and it takes my breath away.

Keep looking at me like that, baby, and our first time won’t be nearly as romantic as I have planned.

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