Page 21 of My Mail Order Valentine

"I guess it's part of being a firefighter."

"It is. But for some reason, I think Evie was a handful today."

"Don't worry, I'll clean everything up when we come back."

"Out of the question."

"You can help me if you want."

"That sounds better."

The drive is about 45 minutes long, and I wonder where this restaurant is located. It turns out it's almost at the border between Hope Peak and the next town over. From the outside, the restaurant looks modern enough, but when we enter, the transformation is impressive.

It's like I was in a restaurant in Italy—or rather, what I think a restaurant in Italy would look like. The checkered white and red tablecloths, beautiful vines going up and around the walls, and soft music transport me immediately to the Italian countryside.

Hunter says something to the host, and I expect to be seated at one of the tables on the main floor. However, as we follow the man, he takes us to the back and opens a door for us. The inside looks amazing. There are bouquets of red roses everywhere, and red rose petals are thrown all around.

The table is beautifully set, and there's a bucket of ice with what I assume is a champagne bottle chilling inside.

"Hunter, this is amazing!"

"I'm glad you like it. Here, let me help."

He pulls back the chair for me, and I sit down, but nothing can dim the stars in my eyes. This incredible man did this for me. Maybe he's beginning to have feelings for me, just as I do for him. I shake my head, not wanting to entertain any wild ideas.

"What was that?"

"Um, sorry. Just wanted to make sure this was real."

The server arrives, and we order a few items from their special menu along with some wine. We don't have to wait long before our food is served. I tell Hunter all about my day and how we made him some cards that he'll get to see when we're back home.

Home, I said home. I hope he doesn't notice the slip of my tongue. His expression doesn't change, so I move along and keep talking. At this point, I think I'm babbling more than anything; then he interrupts me.

"Would you like to dance?"

I'm surprised at the offer, but he gets up and extends his hand to me. I know what's about to happen when I place my hand in his; there's going to be that spark between us. Every time it occurs, I think I've imagined it. I place my hand in his, and there it is.

This time, I see it in his eyes. He's felt it, too, but he's too much of a gentleman to say anything. He pulls me toward him and catches me in his arms. All I can do is wrap my arms around his neck and try not to swoon. I've only been this close to him a few times.

His body is like a furnace, emitting heat so strong that it surrounds me and starts to melt me away. I just hope my heart isn't affected the same way my body is. We sway to the music for a few minutes. I can't take my eyes off his chiseled jaw, and my fingers keep teasing the ends of his hair at the back of his head.

If he lets his hair grow any longer, those reddish-bronze locks will curl, but I have a feeling he prefers a buzz cut.

"I have a confession to make, Elena."

I tense up immediately. What does this man have to say to me?

"Relax, sweetie, it's nothing bad. I just wanted you to know that I'm glad I didn't send you away that first day. Every day, I get to know a little bit more about you, and I like it. A lot."

His words make a shiver go through me. Could he really mean it? He likes me? He's not just being nice? I'm speechless right now, so I just gulp noisily and keep swaying to the music. He brings his hand to my face and brushes my lower lip with his thumb.

This makes me open my mouth for him, and before I know it, he's kissing me in a way only he knows how. The type that makes my legs wobbly and my mind scrambled. Suddenly, my legs are wrapped around his waist, and he's holding my ass firmly in his hands.

The kiss becomes desperate and I cling to the man like I'm a koala bear and he is my tree. Suddenly, the server comes in and startles us—so much so that Hunter lets go of me, and I slip down from where I was perched and tumble backward.

I swear. I'm not an arsonist. But I knocked back into the candles, and they fell over onto the tablecloth, which quickly caught fire. Looking for something to put out the fire I throw the first liquid I find. It was a mistake; it was champagne, and the fire went wild.

Five minutes later, I'm in tears and completely soaked by the room's sprinklers. Hunter is talking to the manager, so I run out and leave him. I get a rideshare back to the house, and when I get there, I undress hastily and drop all the damaged clothes on the floor.

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