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“Aren't they funny-looking? I've been on one before, and they're actually pretty cozy. But I don't know if I would enjoy living on one. How do you go for a run? You have to get in your little dinghy, then tie in at the dock. And what if you get all the way back to your boat, or your house, whatever you call it, and realize you left something in your car? What a pain.”
“Mm-hmm.”
She turned to him and saw that he was leaning against the tower and facing her, looking ather, and not at the houseboats.
“Are you–are you even listening to me?” she whispered.
He moved to stand in front of her and placed his hands against the tower on either side of her head. “Mm-hmm. You don't want to live on a houseboat.”
She laughed softly, unable to pull her eyes from his. “I guess that about covers it.”
He leaned in to kiss her, and her heart began to race. When his lips were a fraction of an inch from hers he stopped, and she felt his warm breath on her face, felt the electricity in the air around them. He finally captured her lips, kissing her slowly but deeply as they gave in to the current of desire flowing between them. He kept his hands pressed against the wall of the tower, but moved closer to her until she felt his chest brush against her breasts.
She craved the contact and pressed against him, gripping his waist tightly. He kissed and nipped along her jaw and down her neck, and she tilted her head to give him more access. Every touch of his warm mouth sent a shiver coursing through her body, and he returned to her lips, kissing her hungrily. She ran her fingers through his hair and heard a groan come from deep in his chest as he wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her flush against him.
The creaking of the gate reached them, followed by the sound of children, breaking their web of intimacy. He rested his forehead against hers, and she held his face and gave him one last kiss. Three young children suddenly appeared and ran to the fence, chatting noisily about the boats and the ducks in the harbor.
Elizabeth laid her head against Will’s chest and smiled when she realized the rhythmic pounding she was listening to wasn't her own heart, but his.
“We should head back,” she murmured. Even though they hadn't been gone long, she knew tongues would be wagging.
“I guess we should.”
He gave her one more lingering kiss before taking her hand and leading her toward the gate. Back at the ballfield, without the cover of trees, the sun was a little brighter. They walked over to their blanket and sat down, still holding hands.
“Nice park,” he murmured into her ear.
Before she had the chance to respond, she heard Bill Collins calling out to her, and she sighed. He hadn't been there during the game, she was sure of it.
“Hello, Elizabeth,” he said, and though he was smiling, he looked only at Will.
“Hi, Bill. I didn't know you were here.”
“I've only just arrived. I had some work to finish and thought maybe I could catch the last inning, but I was too late.” His eyes shifted to Elizabeth and then down to her hand, still enfolded in Will's. “Elizabeth and I work together at the reserve.”
“She’s mentioned what a great group of people she works with,” Will said. “She speaks highly of her coworkers.”
“Oh, well, it's easy when one has lovely people like Elizabeth to work with.” Bill’s face crimsoned. “I mean lovely as in hard-working, dependable, knowledgeable people.”
Will smiled. “Elizabeth is all of those things.”
“She certainly is. Um, if you'll excuse me, I see some other people I'd like to say hello to.” He turned to Elizabeth. “See you tomorrow, dear.”
She nodded. “Have a nice night.”
Bill wandered off, and Will chuckled softly. “See you tomorrow, dear.He clearly has the hots for you.”
She rolled her eyes. “I don't know. Maybe. He’s asked me out a few times, but he’s not pushy about it.”
“So is he my competition? You should have formally introduced us so I could call him out. Pistols at dawn? Swords at sunset?”
“Oh, please. He’snotyour competition, believe me.”
“So who is, then?”
His tone was light, but she could tell he was asking in earnest. “There isn't anyone. No competition. You win by default.”
He kissed her, and when they separated, she noticed Bill watching them from across the field. She looked away, and they began to pack up their things.
