Page 20 of Refuge for Ailsa

Loved.The word reverberated in Tavish’s head. He loved Ailsa. Maybe not that deep, long-term love, not yet, but if she walked away that minute, he would grieve the relationship he was sure they could’ve had. Lost in the thoughts of a future with her in his arms, he was jolted when she whispered, “Tav?”

“Yeah, babe?”

“Tav, I…” She hesitated and he waited. “I really care about you.”

“I really care about you too. And I’m sorry. This wasn’t what I had I mind. I wanted to wine and dine you and make you fall in love with me, but this was fun, right?”

“Oh, yeah. And I don’t think it’s going to be a lot of work to get me to fall in love with you. If that’s what you want.”

He chuckled and drew a finger up and down one of her arms. “I’m thinking about it. I’m really, really thinking about it.”

“Good. Because I’m thinking about it too.”

She was thinking about it too? That was all he could ask for and far more than he’d expected.

Between the two of them, they got their clothes sorted and straightened out, and when they were dressed, he took her hand and walked with her out onto the porch. “You going home?”

She nodded. “Yeah. I’ve got a little laundry to do. Call me later?”

“Yeah. I… Shit. The file with your number in it is on the conference room table at the sheriff’s office. Do you still have my card?”

“Of course. I wouldn’t part with it. Want me to text you in a bit?”

“Yeah. Please do. Then I’ll have your number and I’ll give you a call.”

“Okay.” When they reached her car, she turned back to him and pressed a soft palm to his cheek. “This has been the best afternoon ever.”

“Yeah? You think?”

“Don’t you?” she asked, a lost look in her eyes.

“Oh, yeah, babe. I’m just messing with you. You have no idea how thankful I am that you’ve been here with me. You’re… I don’t even know what to say. You’re the closest to perfect of any woman I’ve ever met.”

She laughed. God, he loved that sound! “Perfect? Hardly. But I’m thankful I was here with you too. Don’t forget to call me.”

“Don’t worry. I couldn’t if I wanted to, and I don’t want to.” The grin that pressed the corners of his mouth upward damn near ached.

She started the car and smiled. “Good. Glad I made an impression on you.”

“I don’t know if you made an impression on me, but those tits sure did.”

“Oh, god, here we go again. My perfect, gorgeous tits.”

“Yeah. They are. Perfect and gorgeous, I mean. And the woman they’re attached to is okay too,” he said, laughing.

“Oh, yeah? Is that right? I’ll remember you said that. Next time, if that awesome cock can’t accompany you, don’t bother showing up. It’s my main interest here.”

“Uh-huh. I knew it. Nympho,” he said with a chuckle.

“That’s me. The Scottish nympho.” She blew him a kiss. “Talk to you later.”

“Yes, ma’am. Absolutely. Drive safely.”

“Will do. Bye, babe.”

“Bye, beautiful.” He watched as she drove toward the tree line and when she disappeared, he heard her horn toot once, then the acceleration of the car.

Tavish strolled back toward the house and looked around. There was the wall beside the front door where he’d taken her. And what she’d done for him on that table…

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