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“Oh, no!I’mrealizing how that sounded.Hewas a complete gentleman.Hekissed me last night and saw me safely inside the hotel before going home.Iran into him this morning and we started talking and…”Herblush deepened. “Wemight’ve made out a little in the lounge.”
Autumn’seyes lit up and she clapped her hands together. “Iknew it!Assoon asIsaw you,Iknew you were meant for him.”
“Ilike him.Alot.AndwhileI’mnot really looking for anything serious,Ido want to see where this goes, becauseIhave the feeling that men likeAdamaren’t a dime a dozen.”
“Thereare only fiveShephardbrothers, so you’d be right.”
Theyboth laughed. “Speakingof,Imet your brotherJackthis morning.”
“Didhe behave?”
“Mostly.Althoughhe did blast his siren at me andAdamlast night when he was about to kiss me by the front doors.”
“Honestly, sometimesIthinkJackis short forJackass.”
Hazellaughed. “Hewas just having a little fun.”
“That’sJack.He’sall about fun.Eversince his divorce, he’s been all about it, sometimes to the point of obsession.”
Hazellet out a breath. “Divorceis hard.Itsucks.Weall cope differently.”
Autumnnodded sympathetically. “Iget that.So,” she said, changing the subject. “Whatare you going to wear on your date tonight?”
FIFTEEN
Nervesand excitementshot throughHazelasAdamdrove through the small town, wending his way through the main streets before taking the same turnAutumnhad when she’d visited the falls.Musicplayed softly from the car’s radio, aHarryStylessong from a localTop40 station.Assoon as she’d fastened her seatbelt,Adamhad woven the fingers of his right hand through those of her left, leaving their fingers intertwined over the center console separating the seats.Shewondered if he could feel her pulse thrumming in her wrist.Shewondered if he needed to touch her as badly as she needed his hands on her.
“Bewarned,Iwasn’t expecting guests,” he said, glancing sideways at her as he steered confidently with one large hand draped over the wheel.
Shegrinned. “Arethere dirty socks on the floor?Rottenmilk in the fridge?”
Hemade a face. “God, no.Iaman adult.”
Shegave his hand a squeeze. “Adam,I’msure it’s fine.”
Hewas nervous about taking her to his place.AndGod, it was endearing.HadSethever been nervous about anything when it came to her?He’dalways seemed so confident.Overconfident, as though he knew he could getHazelto do anything he wanted.Heknew he’d had the upper hand—after all, he was older, more successful, with more money and more life experience.
Hecleared his throat softly. “Also,” he said, turning away from the center of town and towards the road that went to the falls, “Iwant you to know thatIhave no expectations.Physically,Imean,” he said, the tips of his ears turning red.
AdamShephardwas endearing as hell.
“Ijust don’t want you to feel any pressure because we’re alone at my house.”
Shesqueezed his hand again, nerves fluttering in her belly.Wasshe ready to have sex with someone new?Shewasn’t sure.Theidea was exciting, but also more than a little intimidating.DidshewantAdam?Well, duh.Obviously.
“Idon’t feel pressured,” she assured him. “Let’sjust see where the evening takes us, no expectations.BecauseAdam?”
“Yeah?”
Shesucked in a deep breath, feeling as though she were peering over the ledge of a cliff.Avery steep, very rocky cliff with churning waves below. “Ireally like you, and getting to know you has been the best thing that’s happened to me this year.Seriously.”
Helifted their joined hands and placed a kiss on her knuckles, leaving her skin tingling. “Ireally like you, too,Hazel.”Somethingflashed across his face, darkening his features for a second, but then it was gone as quickly as it had come.
Thecabin she’d seen from the road the night she’d visited the falls grew closer, and then closer still asAdamturned off of the main road, navigating hisSubarudown a gravel one.Stonespinged softly against the car.
“Wait,” she said asAdamrolled the car to a smooth stop in front of the cabin, which was larger than she would’ve guessed from the road. “Thisis your house?”Itfelt too coincidental that the cabin she’d been drawn to wasAdam’s.
“Yep.Ihad it built about ten years ago.”
