Page 25 of One Scorching Summer

“That’s my Jorjie. I’ll open another bottle, and while I’m up, I’ll see what I can find for us to munch on since dinner was abysmal, courtesy of Dad and the pile-on from Mom.”

Her giggles quieted after Clem went inside. Doubt reared its head. The other provisions Rake wanted were no issue. But thanks to Clem’s talk with their father, she now knew that the truce wasthesticking point. Fine. She would go to war for the lease, for Rake, and the Carpenters and Ogdens. For herself.

And legal would sign off on the lease as written, burying the long-standing animosity between the two families, forever.

Friday, a Week Later, Ulen …

His goal was romantic and cozy, but not over the top, after all this was technically their first date. It felt as if he had known her forever because he was that comfortable. Jorja hadexpressed that she felt the same. Since going back to Landry their frequent after-dinner calls went on for hours and were far-ranging and deep. He fell asleep content, only to dream nightly and vividly of the two of them. Cold morning showers became routine.

The table on the back screened-in porch was set. The fan rotated lazily, creating a gentle breeze during the comfortable evening. Café lights glowed softly against the high ceiling’s inside perimeter.

He skipped lighting candles throughout the house and on the porch, believing that music was enough. The playlist that Skye had created and sent him—titled “Sexy Times”—played out of the Bluetooth speaker in the kitchen and through another on the porch. As uncomfortable as his niece had made him by putting together sultry songs that evoked strong emotion, he was grateful.

Tonight called for something special. The Wagyu beef and fingerling potatoes were prepped. The salad, made from tomatoes, basil, and shallots, all from the garden, was ready to toss together with a balsamic dressing. There was also a loaf of crusty bread from the bakehouse.

After coming in from work out with the wranglers all day, he showered, then baked a brown butter cake, eager to share one of his favorite desserts with her.

Rake glanced at the clock on the oven as he opened a bottle of wine and decanted it, as recommended by the wine guy in town. Jorja was due soon.

A triple knock had him grinning and striding purposefully to the front door. Nervous, he took a deep breath. Tonight was a big step after days of negotiations that resulted in a consequential decisions.

The lease was signed.

The Carpenters and Ogdens agreed to honor the truce.

The woman he spoke to daily and dreamed of nightly was here.

He opened the door. “Hey, love.”

“Hi.” Jorja grinned from ear to ear as she stepped into his arms, positioning her head at his heart space and hugging him fully, enveloping him in her evocative scent.

He kissed her on the top of her head, then rested his cheek there. “We feel so right.”

“We do.” She pressed deeper into him.

“Keep that up and dinner will be later.”

She gazed up and slid her fingers into his hair. “Would that be such a bad thing?”

“Not at all.

Jorja cupped his head, applying delicate insistent pressure, and whispered against his lips. “Kiss me, Rake.”

He grazed her forehead, then inhaled her sweet breath as he brushed his lips overs hers, savoring the essence of her.

Her lips parted—an invitation—and he slipped his tongue inside, seeking intimacy. She moaned softly. Jorja’s tongue played with his, arousing him even more. Heart pounding and breathing hard, he pressed his arousal into her core and braced her against the wall.

Jorja voice was husky, and her eyes were dark pools. “Seems like you missed me.”

“I did and I’m lookin' forward to showing you just how much.”

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