Page 2 of Where We Bloom

“All right.”

His eyebrow wings up. “Just like that?”

“It seems so.”

He pays the check, offers me his hand,and guides me through the restaurant. I like walking beside him. He’s such a big man, but I feel perfectly safe when I’m next to him, which is an odd thought, considering I don’t typically feelunsafe.

When we’re standing on the sidewalk, I turn to him.

“I can meet you up there. My car’s parked behind my shop.”

This tall, hot-as-hell stranger steps closer to me, and with his finger under my chin, he lifts my face so he can look into my eyes. Did all the air rush out of Montana just now? Because it’s suddenly harder to breathe.

“I don’t want to let you out of my sight in case you disappear on me. I’m only here for one night, and I plan to take full advantage of that. I’ll make sure you get back to your car safely in the morning.”

Wow.After swallowing hard, I simply nod, and he kisses my forehead before leading me to a massive black SUV parked across the street.

My stranger opens the passenger door for me, makes sure I secure my seat belt, closes the door, and then circles the hood to the driver’s side.

“You know,” I say as he backs out of the parking space and heads toward the road that leads to the resort, “we talked all through dinner, but I never asked you where you’re visiting from.”

I’m watching his profile as he drives, so I see it when his lips tip up at the side, and I wish he’d give me a full smile.

I saw his eyes light up when I said something funny,and those lips tipped up too, but he has yet to grace me with a full grin.

I bet it’s devastating.

“Perhaps we shouldn’t divulge too many personal things tonight.” He shoots me a glance before he reaches over and sets his hand on my thigh, then gives it a little squeeze.

Just that simple touch makes my nipples pucker. I bite my lip.

We had animated conversation at dinner, but we never talked about anything too personal. Obviously, I discussed my bookstore a bit, but never my family or friends. He asked me questions about the store and the town.

But really, we’ve kept things quite surface, and I don’t really mind. He’s only here for this one night, and if he wants to keep things mellow, I’m down for that.

I stare at his hand, then cover it with my own and glide my fingers over his, enjoying the way his skin feels against mine.

“As long as you don’t have a wife somewhere who assumes you’re being faithful to her and your six children, that’s fine with me.”

To my absolute shock, he laughs.Laughs.And it lights me up inside. It’s the kind of laugh you give when you’re tickled with someone.

And his smile is as devastating as I expected. It makes my heart speed up into hyperdrive.

“That’s not exactly a denial.”

He shakes his head and glances at me again. “No. I’mnot married, and I don’t have any children. Certainly not six.”

“Great. I don’t either.”

He leaves his SUV with the valet and takes my hand again to escort me into the lodge. After riding the elevator to the top floor, he leads me to the suite at the end of the hall, opens the door, and gestures for me to walk in ahead of him.

This room isfancy.Or set of rooms, I should say. A wall of windows in both the living area and the bedroom gives a spectacular view of the ski mountain and the beautiful trees beyond.

“Great room.” I immediately kick off my shoes, because that’s just habit, and the next thing I know, I’m spun around, back against the window, and he’s framed my face in his hands and is kissing me.

Not a tentative first kiss. No, this manconsumesme, as if he’s wanted to do this to me since the moment he first saw me, and I’m not sure I’ve ever felt so wanted.

So damn sexy.

---