Page 27 of The Bear's Mail Order Mate

“I’ll hold you to that,” he said, clinking his glass against hers. “The Thornbergs always collect on their debts.”

The warmth in his voice made her cheeks flush, and she took another sip of wine to hide her reaction. She didn’t need him to see the war waging inside her. Or to know if he asked her again, her resolve would crumble.

“I should get going,” Cassia finally said, finishing her wine and handing him the empty glass. “Thank you for the wine.”

“A perk of the job,” he replied as his fingers brushed hers and a jolt of recognition coursed through her.

Had he done that on purpose? As her eyes flew to his, she saw the same awareness reflected in his eyes. She knew for sure he felt it, too, and their connection wasn’t just in her head.

But what did it mean?

Confused, she stepped back, putting space between them. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning.” Her voice sounded breathless even to her own ears.

“Sure,” he said as he stepped away from her. “I’ll walk you to your car.”

“You don’t have to,” she told him.

“I know,” he said. “But I’d like to.”

Cassia nodded and fell into step with him as they made their way back through the vineyard, retracing their steps to her car. Was it only this morning that she had parked her car here, and seen Kris silhouetted against the rising sun?

It was as if a lifetime had passed. As if she were not the same person who had arrived here mere hours ago.

They arrived at her car, and Kris turned to face her, hands sliding into his pockets. The distance between them felt both physically small and emotionally vast. Cassia’s pulse thudded, wishing she could erase the carefully laid lines she’d drawn. But if she let him see how much she longed to stay, how soon would it be before he saw her weaknesses, too?

And use it against her?

Would he? Dante certainly would. He was skilled at getting what he wanted, no matter what the cost to those around him.

No. Cassia forcefully pushed the thought away. Nothing about Kris suggested he would be anything like her ex. She was letting old wounds dictate her present.

“Thank you for today,” she said, fumbling with her car keys. “I think we made real progress with the barn.”

“We did.” Kris’s voice was warm, but there was something guarded in his expression now. “Our restaurant is starting to take shape. At least on paper.”

“Your restaurant,” she corrected. Why did her heart beat faster when he saidour,as if they were something more to one another?

Because that was what she wanted. Deep down, she knew it. Yet she also knew she had to deny herself.

His brow furrowed. “Our restaurant. This is a collaboration, Cassia.”

The sincerity in his voice made her chest ache. As if what was his was hers.

She nodded, unable to trust her voice for a moment. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” she finally managed, opening her car door.

“Tomorrow,” he said, as if he could not wait a minute for the sun to set and rise again.

Her hand trembled as she inserted the key in the ignition, but somehow, she started the engine and drove away from the Thornberg Vineyard. And Kris.

Kris, who made her feel like she could do anything. Kris, who made her feel desired. Kris, who…

She cut off the thought and focused on the road ahead as she traveled through the mountains.

When she arrived at Bear’s Rest Guest House, Cassia parked her car under the tall pines and got out, feeling suddenly deflated. She walked to the guesthouse, over the stones, and entered. The same cheerful warmth that had greeted her on her first night was there, but this time it felt hollow somehow.

As if something was missing…

Knock-knock.The soft rap at the door startled her out of her thoughts. She paused, half-expecting Mel to be on the other side of the door. Maybe she’d brought dinner or wanted a quick chat. But something instinctive told Cassia her visitor was not Mel.

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