“Abby, we can wait.”
As if my heart wasn’t melting enough, he had to go and put my daughter’s feelings ahead of his own wants.
“No. I’ll talk to her. It’s just…it’s hard.” I bite my lip. His eyes darken. “But I need to see you again. Can we just be discreet for awhile? Just until I can talk to her.”
He nods and I can’t deny I’m relieved he’ll go along with keeping things private for now. Dating a single mom isn’t for the faint of heart; I just hope he’s ready for that. His hands drop to hold mine, and he gives them a gentle squeeze.
“My friend Summer owns the Oceanside Beach Resort just outside of town. It’s closed for the season, but she’ll give me the keys for a cabin if I ask her.” My eyes widen at the suggestive nature of his words, and he groans and shakes his head. “I’m sorry. That came across wrong. I swear I didn’t mean it to sound like that. I was just thinking it would be a private place for us to have dinner and talk for a while. The cabins have gas fireplaces in them, and kitchenettes. I’ll cook if you bring the wine.”
A giggle bursts out of me at the look of chagrin on his face. “Okay, Casanova. You cook, I’ll bring wine.” I lift up on my toes to press one more kiss to his lips before I hurry out to the front. When I see Uncle Steve behind the counter helping customers, I feel a blush creep across my cheeks. But when Reid follows me out and Steve chuckles, giving me a knowing look, that blush burns stronger. Reid winks and walks out of the barn without another word, and I make a point of ignoring my Uncle, turning to the next person waiting to make a purchase.
The next evening, I tell Layla I’m going out to meet some new friends as Uncle Steve tries to hide his smirk. I know I shouldn’t lie to my daughter, but really — at this point, Reid is just a friend. A friend I like to kiss, but a friend nonetheless.
I follow directions to Oceanside Resort, and drive slowly down the dark gravel driveway until I see Reid’s truck parked behind a small cabin that looks out over the water. It’s cold but beautiful with clear skies twinkling with stars. There are lights on inside the cabin as I walk around to the front, and the door opens. Reid steps out and takes my hand, spinning me around so we’re facing the ocean. My back is pressed to his front and I can feel his strong warmth covering me from head to toe.
“I’m so happy you’re here,” he murmurs into my ear.
I simply nod, letting the sensation of his body touching mine and the sound of the waves gently lapping at the shore lull me into relaxation. Time passes, I have no idea how long, and we stay there in silence. Peace.
Eventually, Reid turns me in his arms, bringing his hands up to thread through my hair. He kisses my forehead and it’s like every romance novel I’ve ever read has come to life. Here’s the handsome hero and the bumbling, nervous heroine in the romantic setting, and the forehead kiss. The biggest aphrodisiac of them all.
“How about some dinner?” Reid asks and I smile, finally finding my voice.
“That would be great.” But when I spin around, he’s got a mischievous tilt to his mouth that I can’t make sense of until he stops in the doorway and looks up.
“I never got to take advantage of the mistletoe at the farm, so I figured we needed a do-over.”
My laugh gets engulfed by his kiss, which he keeps sweet and simple, but still makes my entire body tingle with excitement. When Reid pulls away, he places his forehead on mine again. He’s breathing heavily and secretly I’m thrilled that he’s obviously turned on. We head inside where the fireplace is blazing, which warms me up from the chill I hadn’t even noticed I was feeling outside. Reid takes two plates from the counter and sets them on the table, which is set with everything from cutlery to cloth napkins and even a candle.
“You really pulled out all the stops,” I say, half teasing, half admiring. Reid gives me a mock bow.
“I aim to please.”
And that he does. Without even realizing it, Reid has given me the most romantic evening of my entire life. Never before has someone put so much effort into a date with me, and I can’t deny how it’s making my heart feel full.
We sit down and enjoy an incredible dinner of roasted chicken, sweet potatoes, and a vegetable casserole that feels indulgent and warming. Everything is delicious and I make sure to tell him so in between bites.
“Seriously, where did you learn to cook like that?” I say in wonder as I put my fork down on a bare plate. Reid gives me a bashful smile, but I can tell he’s pleased.
“My mom. She loves to cook, and when I was old enough to join her in the kitchen, she made sure to include me in everything. It was our favourite thing to do together. Still is, when I make it back home to visit.”
I shouldn’t be turned on by the fact that he obviously loves his mom, but I am. And when he stands to clear our dishes, I stay seated, my eyes fixed on the man who is surprising me at every turn. With freshly filled wine glasses, we move to the loveseat in front of the gas fireplace. It’s a small couch, and our legs are touching when we sit side by side. I turn so my back is against the arm of the couch and I’m facing Reid. When he lifts my legs up into his lap, I’m so startled I don’t protest. His eyes are on mine as his hands drift up and down my legs in a move that should seem like no big deal, but is actually turning all of my nerve endings on fire. Reid must see that in my eyes because he leans in closer and pauses, waiting for me to close the distance.
When my lips touch his, I taste wine and desire. It’s a heady combination, and I quickly lose myself to the sensation.
“God, Abby, your lips are heaven,” he says in a low rumble against my skin. I turn my head to kiss his scruff covered cheek, and his hand tightens in my hair. I hear him set his glass down on the table, then he takes mine and puts it down as well. Suddenly I’m airborne and swung around like a rag doll to straddle his lap.
“Reid,” I moan when his hands squeeze my ass, pulling me flush against his hardening cock. Between the heat of the fireplace and the inferno building between us, it doesn’t feel like we’re in a small cabin during the cold West Coast winter. I’m burning up, the intense arousal inside of me bubbling like a volcano.
Words are lost to me as Reid’s kisses turn into gentle sucks and nips on my neck and his hands go to the bottom of my sweater. He pulls back for an instant, and I nod before he lifts my sweater up and over my head. ThankGodI decided to put on my one good set of lingerie tonight. The way his eyes smoulder at the sight of the navy blue lace covering my breasts tells me I was right to prepare for anything.
“Abby, you’re the most stunning woman I’ve ever seen.” His voice rings with sincerity and I fall even further for this man. My hands fumble with his shirt, and he covers them with his own, lifting my fingers to his mouth to kiss them sweetly. Then in one swift move he’s turned us and laid me down on the couch so that he’s hovering over me. His shirt comes off next, and my sharp intake of breath makes his eyes darken even further. He’s a work of art, carved muscles covered in a smattering of dark hair — pure masculinity.
“Just so you know, I wasn’t lying. I truly didn’t invite you here with any expectation of…this,” he says, and I see the concern in his face. My hand comes up to cup his cheek as I pull him down to kiss me.
“I know. And I don’t think I can, you know, go all the way. Not yet. But this…” My voice trails off lamely as I struggle to balance the warring arousal and caution in my heart.
“It’s okay. I understand. Feeling you here with me, just like this, it’s enough.”
