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Her words shook, and Burke wanted to kick his own ass. Again. She was wary because he’d been an asshole to her before.

Burke bent his knees a bit so he was looking straight into those liquid, worried eyes. “I didn’t change my mind about anything. I wanted to see you and hold you without everyone watching us. I wanted to ensure you’re okay and find out more about the asshole who hurt you. Nothing in the world would make me want you to leave. In fact, I’m working on strategies that will keep you and Frizzle here and happy for decades.”

She blinked and studied him with hope gleaming. “Seriously?”

“Very seriously. I’m sorry for being such an ass in the past that you would think I could change my mind so easily. Please, stay with me, with us. When you have to travel for your job, I want to go with you. I have no intention of letting you slip through my hands a second time.”

Her smile widened as he spoke, and she threw her arms around him. “I’m so relieved, so happy.”

He gathered her in and held on. After a moment, he pulled back to find her still smiling. He captured her lips and poured his feelings into the kiss. She was the one for him, the one he wanted to spend his future with.

The kiss turned hot and heavy, and he wanted to strip her, worship her, prove to her exactly how much he wanted her with him.

But he wasn’t making love to her here, in a room that belonged to a buddy. Was she ready for the next step?

Frizzle barked a few times, pulling them apart to find out what the Yorkie needed. She sat staring at the cat, who’d moved to sit on the back of a chair, staring at the dog.

Rissa thumped her head on Burke’s chest. “Without that interruption, I might have been ripping your clothes off.”

His entire body reacted to her words. “I like the sound of that. I want to do some exploring of my own.”

Her gaze returned to his, and he saw desire. Enough that his body wanted to turn caveman. If he tossed her over his shoulder, he could be in his room in the farmhouse in under a minute.

Rissa laughed softly. “Whatever you’re thinking, I approve.”

He brushed his fingers over her hair, along her jawline, and then her lips. “Are you sure? Are you ready? I don’t want to pressure you, but I want to start at your toes and work my way up, exploring every inch with my teeth and tongue.”

Rissa whimpered, and the sound fueled him more. “I’m sure.”

He grabbed her hand. “Let’s go.”

Of course, they had to grab their outer gear and boots, which meant walking back through the kitchen and dealing with the niceties.

To hell with that. He kept Rissa’s hand in his. “We’re heading out.”

They changed into their boots and grabbed their jackets, but didn’t bother putting them on. He heard a few chuckles behind them. Not surprising. The heat arcing between them had to be visible.

As soon as they closed the inn’s door behind them, Burke scooped up Frizzle and met Rissa’s eyes. They both grinned and then laughed. “Let’s go to the farmhouse.”

“The Q Lab is closer.”

True. And more private. He grabbed her hand and took off at a jog, making her laugh as she ran to keep up. He could listen to that sound forever.

They raced the short distance to the Q Lab, and Rissa pulled out her keys. She laughed again when her hand trembled, and it took several tries before she got it open. When Frizzle wriggled, he set her down, and she romped a few steps away to relieve her bladder. Then the Yorkie bounced to the steps and the now-open RV door.

Burke followed her and Rissa in, then locked the door behind them. Frizzle headed up the tiny stairs to the bed at Rissa’s workstation.

“Will she be good for a while? Does she need anything?”

Rissa nodded. “Let me get her a treat and a few toys.”

While she did that, Burke removed his boots and hung up their jackets, then helped Rissa with her boots.

He lifted her and banded his arms around her waist to keep her at the perfect level to kiss her.

Rissa wrapped her legs around him, and he groaned at the contact. Core to core. Exactly how he wanted it, but with fewer layers.

He kissed her until she rocked against him; the friction driving them both wild.