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It was the one with us at the lake. Our grandmother had taken it.

“That’s all us kids. Trenda, Drake, Evie, Maddie, then Chloe and me, and on the end is Piper."

"Where was this taken?"

“Right down at Jasper Creek."

“It’s a great picture.”

I smiled. “The best.” It had been a really good day. Our parents hadn’t been there to ruin it.

He was quiet for a moment. "If you ever feel like talking about your parents, just know, I’m a good listener."

“You’ve been living here in Jasper Creek for almost five weeks now. You probably know everything. They’re now both in prison, and I thank God for that. Maybe one day I’ll tell you things, but definitely not tonight. I don’t want to ruin such a wonderful night.”

“Fair enough.” He put the photo back on the shelf, and his bottle of water, then cupped my face in both hands, the way he had on the porch that first night. "Do you really think it was wonderful?" The question was quiet. Genuine. Like he actually needed to know.

"Adam." I looked at him in the lamplight, this careful, serious, funny man who had handed over his cornbread and argued about structural engineering on the Death Star and put his arm around me under the stars. "Absolutely."

I had his full attention, and it was a gift. He kissed me softly. Reverently. The kind of kiss that said I see you before it said anything else.

Then I pressed closer, and the kiss changed.

It went deep and unhurried and certain, his hands still holding my face like I was something he didn't want to lose track of. I curled my fingers into the front of his shirt and pulled him closer.

When we finally broke apart, I was breathing differently than I had been before.

I looked up at him.

"Would you like to take this to the bedroom?" I asked.

Something moved through his expression. Warmth, want, and something else that I couldn’t quite name. "Only if you're certain."

Oh, there it was. It was concern.

"Adam." I almost laughed. "I've been certain for weeks."

He did laugh then, low and real, and I felt it all the way through me.

I took his hand.

The lamp on my nightstand threw a soft amber light across the room. He was wearing a soft Henley—that needed to come off. When I said as much, he pulled it off. Of course he folded it and put it over the top of the chair in my room. He turned back to me.

“Are you laughing?”

“Of course I am. You’re folding your clothes.”

“You might have to get up in the middle of the night. I don’t want you tripping over them in the dark.”

This man. What was I going to do with him? My attention shifted to his chest. The dark chest hair covering taut muscles drew me in, I had to touch. I slid my fingers through his curls, luxuriating in the warmth, the strength, that for tonight, was mine. He shuddered beneath my touch. I looked up and my eyes caught his. His blue eyes were dark with passion.

He cupped the back of my head and, tangling his fingers through my hair, as he positioned me just where he wanted, then he dipped down and kissed me. Only it was more than a kiss, it was a branding.

I was lost, as his tongue thrust inside my mouth, then retreated, only to have his teeth nip at my lower lip. That only spiked up my passion, as my arms twined around his neck, pulling him closer. He licked against the small hurt, and it enflamed me even more. I moaned against his mouth, trying to match him, but he was in charge, and I loved every moment of it.

When he finally pulled back, I opened my eyes to see his expression was as dazed as I felt.

Good.