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He tightened his arms around her, quickly losing the battle. “What do you want?”
“I want you to kiss me.”
He lowered his forehead to hers, resting it there for a moment before softly rubbing his nose against hers. Her breath against his lips drew him closer, and he lowered his head, about to play out what he’d imagined. He was millimeters from taking her bottom lip between his. All he had to do was close the distance. Soft, sweet contact, and then—
Adelia jerked back and looked down. At their feet stood a border collie, nuzzling its nose against her legs. She crouched down and petted its black and white fur while it licked her face.
Oliver glanced over and noticed they’d left the front door wide open.
“Hey, I know you,” she said as she stood and took the dog’s leash, which was dragging behind him, and led him out the door to the porch.
Oliver followed with curiosity.
“Tony? Is that you?” Adelia asked a man standing across the yard, dressed as a skeleton, of all things.
“It’s me,” he chuckled through his mask. “Funny seeing you here. My nephew is a few houses down, but Lucky here got away from me.”
Adelia was all smiles as she turned to look at Oliver. “This is Tony. He lives up the beach from the lake house.”
Tony gave a nod and a wave.
Oliver nodded, realizing Tony and his dog were the ones in the blackmailer’s photographs, and he was instantly suspicious.
“Not staying at the lake anymore?” Tony asked Adelia.
“Not right now. Staying with a friend.”
“Well, I need to get back to my nephew. Good to see you again.”
“You too.” She crouched down and petted the dog once more. “Bye, Lucky. Be a good boy.”
She waved as they walked away, then gazed over at Oliver with a smile and a tilt of her head. Obviously, she wanted to go back inside and pick up where they left off.
Oliver shook his head, and Adelia frowned. He hated to disappoint her, but he’d already confused things enough by nearly kissing her. Thank God they’d been interrupted by that dog.