Page 68 of Wild Desire

"I went through something similar with Scarlett. I was worried she was going to leave. She loved traveling and doing shows. It was just a matter of time before she got called back, and when she did, I hadn't told her how I felt yet. I let her go."

I looked over at him, not having heard this full story before. "I didn't realize."

"Don't make the same mistakes I did."

"I'll try not to." I was the one who'd be leaving though. The pressure was on me. And it wasn't the first time I'd done this to her. We hadn't had a relationship then, but I hadn't reacted to her kiss. I didn't tell her I admired her bravery. I didn't say anything. I disappeared like a coward.

I didn't want to do that this time, and that meant I'd have to be prepared to tell her how I felt when the time came.

17

NOELLE

Iprepared a light lunch of salami slices, crackers, cheese, veggies, and fruit, placing it on a charcuterie board to enjoy when Killian returned.

The door opened just as I was pouring a glass of water for myself using the fridge's water filter. "How'd it go?"

Killian wrapped his arms around me from behind and rested his chin on my shoulder. "Fine."

I turned to face him. "What did you do with your brothers?"

"We had to take care of some business." His expression was tight.

"Are you hungry? I prepared lunch." I waved a hand at the counter.

"Starved," Killian said as we moved toward the island stools and sat next to each other.

I wished he'd tell me what the business was that he had to take care of. "Is everything okay between you and your brothers?"

He cleared his throat. "Never been better."

"That's good," I said as we dug into the food.

"Did you still want to go to the maple syrup festival?" I was prepared for him to bow out.

His expression softened at the reminder. "Do you want to go?"

"I was looking forward to it." Even though I'd never thought of myself as a festival kind of person. I didn't have time for it, but the idea of spending an afternoon with Killian on a date-like excursion was exciting.

"Let's go then." Killian helped me box up the food we didn't eat for later, and then we grabbed our coats and headed outside.

For the first time, Killian insisted on driving his rental truck that had been parked in the lot. "My knee is feeling better."

This felt like a date or something couples would do together. Normally I'd be running in the other direction. I avoided any semblance of relationships, but I liked hanging out with Killian. I was looking forward to whatever the day would bring.

When Killian reached across the console with his hand palm up in a silent invitation, I placed my palm on his. My heart sped up like I'd just taken a jump off a cliff.

He closed his hand around mine, and my heart fluttered with delight. I'd never gotten mushy over holding hands with a man, but I could see the attraction.

We entered the park, and Killian paid the admission price. Then we followed the man at the gate's directions to the festival itself. There was a large building where a line had already formed to buy pancakes, another tent set up for the maple syrup demonstration, and a concession stand selling syrup bottles.

"What do you want to do first?" Killian asked.

"Let's check out the demonstration. Then maybe we can go for a hike," I said feeling exhilarated by the sunshine and the prospect of spending the day with Killian.

Killian reached for my hand. "Then we're eating pancakes."

"We just ate lunch," I teased as we walked hand-in-hand to the demonstration tent.

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