The reminder of why we hadn’t hooked up before brought me back to earth.
Beth.
This was going to get messy. There was no way this was a one and done kind of thing. This was more. So much more. “Because of your sister.”
Ash exhaled. “Shit. She’s gonna be pissed.”
“Yep.”
He glanced over at me then smiled. “Totally worth it.”
My chest tightened. He was right. Whatever this was. It needed to be explored. “Definitely.”
“But what do you say we don’t tell her for a few days and just enjoy each other before the fireworks start?”
“I don’t want to lie to her.”
“Me neither, but let’s just figure out what this is first before we go toe-to-toe.” He pressed a kiss to my temple. “Who knows, you might get sick of me and be dying to get back to your real life by the end of the week?”
“Doubtful,” I muttered. Whatever this was, it felt more real than anything I’d ever experienced before. But he was right. We deserved the chance to figure it out. “Okay, but if we’re not sick of each other in a week, we tell her,” I said.
“Agreed.” He shifted his body to face me. “There’s zero chance I’m gonna be sick of you.”
My breath hitched at the look on his face. This wasn’t good. I was feeling way too much, way too quickly. “Zero chance I’m gonna be sick of you either,” I admitted.
His hand teased across my stomach. “How long are you in town for again?”
The reminder that my life was in New York made my stomach knot.
“A month, maybe six weeks, then I have to get back.”
“Then we’d better make the most of that time.” He shifted his body over me. “I was right about how good you’d look riding me. Now I kinda want to see how you look in the shower.”
The idea of Ash pinning me against the shower wall. Those calloused hands gliding down my wet body. Yum. I twined my arms around his neck as he kissed my collarbone. “Mmm, I wouldn’t mind seeing what you could do with those hands on slippery surfaces.”
He groaned. “Babe, my hands are good on all surfaces,” he said, scooping me off the bed and carrying me toward the bathroom.
Oh my.
Chapter Six
Natalie
Ipulled open the door of The Switchback Cafe. The smell of vanilla and cinnamon instantly filled my nose. God, that smelled good. Exactly like I remembered.
Scanning the coffee shop/bakery, everything looked the same. My gaze caught on an old- time black-and-white photo of a woman bundled up for winter sitting in the back of a sleigh. The smile on her face was contagious, and a wave of longing filled me. That’s what I wanted. Simple. Happy. Comfortable. And safe.
“Nat,” I heard my name called, and I turned toward Beth’s voice.
“Hey.” I gave her a little wave, then weaved my way past a couple sitting at a scarred wood table with mismatched chairs. Even that was the same. Nothing matched. I had always loved the homey, eclectic feel in here, like no one would care when I set my cup down without a coaster.
Beth stood as I approached and wrapped me in a hug. “Ah, it’s so great having you in town.” She squeezed me tightly before letting go.
“It’s good to be back.” I sat down opposite her and eyed the giant cinnamon roll filling the plate. Had they always been that big?
“Sorry, I ordered already.” Beth winced sheepishly. “It’s the smell. I just couldn’t sit here and not eat something.”
I chuckled. “Don’t worry about it at all. I get it.” I looked around. “Does she have a fan blowing to hit you with that smell when the door opens?”
