Page 26 of The Texan's Tennessee Romance

“Yes, so do I. Would you like some more coffee?”

He shook his head. “No, I’ve had plenty. I guess I’ll head home.”

Home. Though she knew it was just a figure of speech, she found it rather odd that he referred to his temporary cabin that way. Didn’t he miss his life in Dallas? His family and friends? He certainly didn’t talk about his life there much, not that she had exactly encouraged discussions about their lives before they’d met.

She stood, then winced when her bruised thigh protested the movement. She should have known Casey wouldn’t miss that telltale expression.

“Are you hurting?”

She shook her head. “Just a little sore from my fall. It’s nothing, only a bruise.”

“Bet you wish that hot tub was already installed, don’t you?” he teased.

She smiled. “It would probably feel good tonight. But I suppose I’ll make do with a hot bath, instead.”

He had followed her to the sink, carrying his plate and utensils from dinner. When she turned, he was right there, standing so close they were almost touching, his gaze locked with hers in a way that made her breath catch.

“Am I going to get my face slapped if I say I wouldn’t mind joining you in a hot tub sometime?” he asked, his tone somehow whimsical and serious all at the same time.

“I don’t slap,” she replied a bit huskily. “I punch.”

He laughed. “Of course you do.”

And then his smile faded as he reached up to touch a corner of her mouth. “Have I mentioned how much I like these dimples?”

“You’re flirting again.”

He grinned. “I do have permission.”

She rested her hands on his chest. “So you do.”

He kissed her lingeringly. Her fingers clenched in his shirt. The man definitely knew how to kiss. Flexing her fingers, she noted the strength of the muscles beneath his shirt. Maybe he didn’t do a lot of manual labor, but he certainly stayed in fine shape. If a woman happened to be in the market for a vacation fling with a good-looking, great-kissing, charmingly entertaining young stud, Casey Walker was darn near the perfect choice.

Lifting his head very slowly, he smiled down at her, his eyes gleaming in a way that made her wonder if he was more talented at mind reading than maintenance work.

“I’m sure you’re tired,” he said. “I should probably go.”

Though feminine instinct urged her to detain him longer, she moistened her well-kissed lips and nodded with some reluctance. “That’s probably a good idea.”

She walked with him to the door. “Good night, Natalie,” he said from the open doorway. “I really enjoyed the hike. Thanks for letting me go along. Oh, and thanks again for dinner.”

“You’re welcome. For both.”

He looked at her mouth, then back up at her eyes. And then he gave a firm little nod, and closed the door behind him, refusing to give in to the temptation that she hoped had been as strong for him as it was for her.

Hearing his truck engine fade away down the mountainside, Natalie lifted a hand to her mouth. Oddly enough, she felt as though he had kissed her good-night with just a look.

Casey Walker was definitely proving to be a distraction. Much more than she had planned on, she was afraid.

Because it was still relatively early, Casey stopped by to talk to Kyle after leaving Natalie. He’d called first to make sure it was a good time, and Kyle had assured him that it was. Molly opened the door to him, greeting him with a smile and a kiss on the cheek. “Come in. Kyle’s reading Olivia her bedtime story. He’ll be down when he’s finished. How was your hike today?”“We had a great time,” Casey replied, taking a seat in the living room with his cousin. “Beautiful scenery. Have you been up to the cascades?”

“Yes, Kyle and I went there once. It was breathtaking.”

“Really is. Well worth the trek up.”

“Did Natalie have a good time?”

“She seemed to.”

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