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He pointed to a modest ranch-style home. “My friends and I TPed that house when I was nine. My dad wasn’t happy when he found out and made me go back and help with the cleanup the next day. Toilet paper is not easy to get out of bushes.”

She smiled at him. “Did you learn your lesson?”

“Absolutely. I never did it again.”

“But you found other ways to be bad.”

He chuckled. “It depends on how you define the term. I was a regular kid, so it’s not like I stole a car and went hot-rodding.”

“Car theft would be crossing the line.”

They’d had a quiet dinner together at Blitzen’s Pub, enjoying fish and chips and imported lager. Conversation had flowed as easily as ever, as they’d talked about their respective days working on people’s gardens.

She was still confused about what she wanted for her future, but she had to admit the more time she spent with Lawson, the more she knew he was one of the good guys. Just as important, being around him made her happy. She enjoyed his company, liked hearing his opinions. They made each other laugh, and when he touched her, the tingles were impressive.

She still knew she was going to have to make her decision about staying or going, independent of how she felt about him, only she was afraid that untangling him from her life wasn’t going to be easy.

They turned the corner, and he pointed to the large park surrounding a very small lake.

“The town’s outdoor ice-skating rink,” he said. “At least, in the winter.”

“It’s pretty here.”

There were lots of trees, picnic areas and a playground for the kids.

“On weekends and the week before Christmas, they set up booths selling things like hot chocolate,” he told her, pulling her toward a cluster of trees. “The music changes every night.” He grinned. “Ice-skating to hip-hop is kind of a challenge.”

“Not if you’re a really good skater.”

“True, but for the rest of us, it’s not pretty to watch.”

They stepped into the darkness of the trees. Lawson didn’t go far before leaning against a sturdy trunk and drawing her close. She wrapped her arms around him as he cupped her face. And then he kissed her.

It wasn’t the first time, but she sensed more passion in his touch. They were in relative privacy, or maybe it was they were more comfortable with each other. Unlike the other times, he didn’t hold back. Instead he claimed her lips with a level of desire that stole her breath.

Caught up in the feel of his mouth, his tongue and the heat they generated, she instinctively moved closer, pressing her body against his. She felt the hard lines of his chest, the thickness of his erection, and she wanted more than this. She wanted him.

But she didn’t say that, nor did she suggest they take things inside. As much as she would like to make love with Lawson, she knew they weren’t ready. She needed to get her head together first and make a few decisions. But it was nice to want him, to feel the desperate ache of need.

After a few minutes, they drew back. His eyes were bright with need.

“You take my breath away,” he murmured.

She smiled. “I was thinking the same thing.”

“I want you.” He shook his head. “That’s information, not a request. I want you, Shaye. In my arms, my bed, my . . .” He stopped talking, as if internally editing his words, then returned his attention to her. “I’m enjoying getting to know you.”

My what? What had he been about to say? His life? His heart? Happiness and concern fought for dominance and had to settle on an uncomfortable truce.

“I’m enjoying getting to know you, too,” she said, hoping her unease didn’t show. She wasn’t sure how to tell him he was moving too fast without sounding mean.

He touched her cheek. “All right. Let’s get you home before I start begging. You’d be forced to let me down gently, but I’d be crushed, and I suspect my tears would upset you.”

“I don’t think you cry very often, but I appreciate the visual.”

He put his arm around her as they walked out of the park. “I tend toward those high-pitched little sobs that make your voice catch.”

She laughed. “You are so lying.”