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“I wondered if you’d be out here.” Sawyer’s voice jumps me out of my daydream.
He’s standing by one of the peach trees, looking at me with those eyes. Every nerve ending in my body comes alive.
“Don’t move.” I grab my phone, quickly opening the camera app.
“What are you doing?” He starts to move, but I hold up a hand.
“Stop!” I touch the red dot, taking several photos.
He’s sun-drenched and gorgeous, surrounded by tree leaves and a warm golden glow. Sliding my finger over the phone face, I go back to make sure I got it. The intensity of his gaze, the warmth of the sunshine. It’s perfect.
“Why are you taking pictures of me?” He’s closer now, and I look up to see the smallest grin curling his lips.
“You’re my inspiration.”
“For what?”
Everything… “This year’s poster.”
I open the photo app, and step closer to show him. He’s so close, all hot and sweaty. He’s a hard-working man, and his scent floods my senses, tingling my insides.
He looks down at the pictures I took, and when I look at them, I have to suppress a swoon. I got it all—his dark smolder, the way his hazel eyes brim with desire when he looks at me. Am I imagining it?
“You’re not putting me on your poster.” He steps back, hands on his hips.
“I’m doing a watercolor this year, so your features won’t be precise. Nobody will know it’s you.”
“I’ll know.”
“You’ll know because I told you…”
“Can I see what you’ve done so far?”
My shoulders tense. “I’ll show it to you when it’s ready. Not right now.”
I move the sketchbook behind me. I don’t want to show him what I was working on, and I can’t really turn the page just yet. The paint is still wet.
He steps around me, catching the book. “Let me see…”
“Sawyer!” I try to take it from him, but he turns his back to me, blocking my reach.
“Hmm… I’m not sure this will pass the general audience test.”
“I’m not sending that one to the Grower’s Association.”
Before I have a chance to register, he pivots, catching me around the waist and pulling me hard against his chest. My breath disappears as his lips seal over mine, full and warm. He opens my mouth, and salt is on my tongue.
It’s so unexpected, but I want it. I grasp his shoulders, not hesitating to pull him closer, kissing him deeper, hungry for more. I love the feel of his strong arms around me. I love that I’m only wearing a thin dress, so the heat of his body imprints on mine.
My insides burn with desire. I want him to lay me down and take me right here in the middle of the orchard.
Instead, he lifts his face and smiles. “You’re so talented.”
My cheeks flush, and when he releases me, I have a hard time finding my balance again. “You seem really happy today.”
“I slept better than I have in a while last night.”
“Oh really? What do you think made the difference?”
