Page 76 of The Accidental Innkeeper

Five stars. Five stars.

Okay. Maybe twice more.

I grinned at the screen like an idiot.

“You look happy,” said a male voice.

I jumped, my heart thrashing.

Dust-guy stood in the doorway, his arms crossed, tool belt slung low on his hips, like he’d materialized out of competent nowhere.

“You scared the crap out of me,” I said. Looked like Dust-guy was a bit of a stalker. How long had he been there, watching me?

His gaze flicked to my phone. Back to my face. “Good news?”

I nodded, the words tangling. “Really good.” I was still high on those reviews. Every cell in my body was buzzing.

Something shifted in his expression as he took a step in. “Glad to hear it.”

“Okay,” I said suddenly. “I need… just… hold on.”

I didn’t wait for permission.

My body launched into what could generously be called a happy dance. More accurately, it was running in place while my arms flailed like I was testing a new method of human flight. There may have been a small hop. Definitely jazz hands. Zero rhythm.

I stopped as abruptly as I’d started, breathless.

Dust-guy stared at me, grinning. “Feel better?” he asked.

“Yes,” I said brightly. “And I’m very sorry you now have that image forever. You will absolutely see it when you close your eyes tonight.”

He huffed a laugh.

Worth it.

I stood without thinking and stepped forward. The happiness humming in my veins with nowhere to go. “I…” I stopped and laughed at myself. “Sorry. I’m just…”

I leaned in, the distance between us disappearing before I could think better of it. My lips found his, warm and sure, and dangerous.

His hand came up at my waist, steady and certain, and he met me without hesitation. The room tipped, just slightly.

And when I opened my mouth and his tongue touched mine, my brain exploded.

Or I might have just spontaneously combusted.

Heat rushed from my lips to my toes, and I nearly moaned. Okay, maybe I did just a little.

He tasted like a fine wine, and I found myself wanting more. His kiss wasn’t gentle. It was raw, hungry. I tipped into him, drunk on his scent, his mouth, the way everything blurred together. Desire pulsed through me at the feel of him so close, and a quick thrill sparked when he let out a quiet growl.

Damn. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been kissed like that. Oh, yes, I could—never.

My head swam. I was kissing Dust-guy and I liiiiked it.

Wait… I was kissing Dust-guy?

I pulled back before things got messy, which was me ripping off my clothes and jumping him right there in the den. Hell, I nearly saw stars.

“Well,” I breathed. “That escalated.”