AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“And having four sisters is bad?”
“I’ll try and explain. My oldest sister, Aspen, has been in love with the Chief of Police forever. They were hot and heavy in high school, but then she took off for Dallas. She’s been heartbroken for a decade, but she’s too stubborn to realize he’s heartbroken, too.” Although with my sister now in town, things are going to change whether she wants them to or not.
“I’m the next oldest and, obviously, I’m perfect.”
Cole inclines his head. “Naturally.”
“Then comes Lilac. She’s an environmental engineer who doesn’t understand emotions.” He chuckles. “I’m serious. She can’t understand sarcasm. I’m fairly certain she was adopted.”
“Wait. Lilac West is your sister?”
“According to Mom and Dad. Do you know her?”
“She’s on the board to choose who wins the contract to build the community center.”
Of course, she is. If it involves Winter Falls and the environment, Lilac has her hand in it.
“Uh oh. Are we being inappropriate by having dinner together? Are you using me to get to my sister? I hate to break it to you, but it won’t work. You’re welcome to try, though.” I waggle my eyebrows. “I have suggestions for how you can try to influence me if you need a list.”
His eyes heat. “I think I can figure out a few ideas on my own.”
My belly warms and a delicious tingle spreads from my chest down my abdomen to my core. I bet he has a few ideas.
“But first I want to hear about the rest of your family.”
My nose scrunches of its own accord. He does? In my experience, no one outside of Winter Falls wants to hear about my family. He reaches across the table and begins rubbing circles into my hand with his thumb.
“I like to know a woman before I take her to bed.”
Oh boy. I shiver at the vision of him naked in my bed.
He smirks. “I’m glad we’re on the same page.”
I throw my rulebook – which clearly forbids me from getting involved with inn guests or out-of-towners – out of the window. My inhibitions aren’t far behind it. I want this man and I haven’t wanted a man in a long ass time. I haven’t had a man in even longer. Screw it. I deserve to get what I want this one time.
“My page says we skip the rest of the getting to know you portion of the evening and proceed to the portion where we make use of the nearest bed.” I wave my hand toward my bedroom. “I happen to know there’s a perfectly good bed not more than twenty feet away.”
He stands and pulls me to my feet before drawing me near. “It’d be a shame to let a perfectly good bed go to waste.”
I shiver at how husky his voice has become. “A damn shame.”
