Page 82 of Flirty Fall Fling

My phone vibrates in my pocket. I walk away and pull it out.

Jamie

Want to ride with me? I’m parked behind Charmed Cauldron.

I instantly grin.

Blaire

Top down?

Jamie

Your wish is my command.

Jamie

Be stealthy. There are a fuck ton of people around.

Being unnoticed takes me the long way around the square, past the food trucks and into the alley behind my shop. The Mustang sits in the shadows with its lights off. I open the door and drop into the passenger seat, then press the button until I’m lying flat.

“Let’s get out of here,” I whisper, looking up at the stars. “Top down is the best.”

“You say that now.”

He clicks on the heat, then pulls out at a responsible speed. He checks his mirrors and uses his blinkers—some getaway driver.

Once we’re at the edge of town, I bring my seat back to the upright position. It’s fifty degrees, and the cold blowing through my hair is worth it. The heater is on high, and so is my seat warmer. I hold my hands in front of the vents and let the wind toss my hair. There’s nobody in front of or behind us. It’s just his headlights on the switchbacks and his hand wrapped around mine.

He takes the gravel turn to the long driveway.

“You remembered where it was?” I’m honestly impressed. “That takes skill.”

“I pay attention.”

I’m not sure I’ve ever met a man who has. The cabin appears through the last of the aspens. It looks small against the trees. He parks and turns off the engine. It’s completely quiet. We get out of the car, and I unlock the door. Jamie carries one of Josie’s pies with both hands.

I light the wood that I left in the fire, and the room comes to life. I light the lanterns on the mantle. He stands in the living room, making the space feel so much smaller. I cross the room toward him and take his face in both my hands, kissing him. This time, he doesn’t hold back, like he did at the maze. We’re finally alone.

“I missed you,” I admit, “when I shouldn’t.”

Laughter escapes him as he runs his fingers through my hair. “I missed you too.”

He pulls me down onto the couch, and we pick up where the maze made us stop. Our mouths move slowly, and I memorize how he tastes. He kisses my jaw, my temple, the top of my head. I tuck my face into his neck and breathe him in. Neither of us tries for more than this.

“You want some pie?” he asks.

“I will never say no to that,” I mumble against his throat. “Josie’s an amazing cook.”

“I know. She fed me a tiny slice before the maze. A tactic, I’m sure.”

“Yes,” I say. “Can’t have a bite and not buy a whole pie. It’s a fall fact.”

We eat it straight from the box in front of the fireplace, passing one fork back and forth.

“Worth the wait?” I ask.

“Yeah, and the pie is great too.” He gives me a wink.