Page 21 of Montana Born

“I need to tell you something.” She waited for him to sit and leaned forward, placing her elbows on the table. “When you came to my office to apologize. I should have accepted it.”

His gaze moved to the side as he considered her words. “Do you?”

“Yes. At that time I was angry and hurt. But I understand what happened.”

“My actions were not to be understood or accepted. I disrespected you and deserved what I got.”

They sat in silence for a while as she went over her emails and Sully took back to his book.

Taking a break from replying to emails, Elle opened a request for a quote and realized she’d received a great deal more work lately. Thankfully, due to the ranch and resort deal, she was able to be choosier about which jobs she accepted.

Over the laptop, she caught a glimpse of Sully. The corner of his mouth lifted at whatever he read and she had to admit that spending the afternoon at a café with a handsome man across the table would be hard to beat.

“What are you reading?” His hand covered the cover of the book so she couldn’t make the title out.

“Espionage Thriller.” He showed her the cover of a well-known author. “Helps me prepare for the week ahead.” With a boyish grin, he looked to her laptop. “I should probably do what you’re doing.”

“Everyone has their own way of relaxing. I spend my Saturdays and Sunday mornings doing housework and spending time with my family or shopping. On Sunday evenings or some afternoon, I go over my email so I can be ready for Monday. Helps me not stress out too much in the morning.”

Sully remained quiet as she clicked her document closed and shut the laptop. When she slid it into the bag, he stretched. “Time to go?”

“I have to get something to eat and get home.” As soon as she said it, hope sprung he’d want to join her. Truthfully, she’d been done with work over an hour earlier, but prolonged it to stay with Sully.

Oblivious, Sully picked up their empty cups and took them inside the shop. He returned and poured what was left of his water into a dog bowl and waited for Buddy to drink. “What are you planning to eat?”

There it was. The possibility of more. “Probably a wrap from over there.” She pointed to a small restaurant with outdoor tables. “I love their chicken salad.” Elle hesitated. “Would you and Buddy like to join me?”

He looked to the restaurant and then to Buddy. “Sure. I’ll meet you there, let me walk him around and see if he needs to visit a bush or something.”

Moments later, they were seated outside. Without the distraction of the book and laptop, Elle wondered a how conversation would go.

It went extremely well, much to her surprise. The nerves were gone and instead replaced with an easy feeling of getting to know someone.

Almost two hours later of interesting discussion, jokes and even more butterflies, Sully walked Elle to her car. She placed her bag on the seat and turned to say goodbye.

Sully stood close, his eyes looking from her eyes to her lips. “I’d like to see you again, Elle. Spend time with you.”

“I’d like that, too.” Elle replied just as his lips covered hers, Elle closed her eyes and gripped his shoulders. This time the kiss was not as chaste as the time before. Perhaps a bit too intense for being out in public, but the thought would not occur to her until later.

His arms circled Elle’s waist and Sully pulled her against him. Not wanting him to move away, she leaned against him and nibbled at his bottom lip. His body was hard and felt right against her. Sullivan Cole was in very good shape.

He was...

Perfect.