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She burst out laughing, and Eli’s brow furrowed.

“Did I say something funny?” he asked.

“Um…no,” Beth began. “But seriously? You’re just going to stand there looking like…like…”

A mischievous smile played at his lips. “Like what?”

A chill ran up and down her spine, one that had nothing to do with her unfortunate can-opening incident. Every single nerve ending felt like it was simultaneously ice cold and on fire.

“You’ve seen yourself, right?” she asked. “Like, there are mirrors in your home? Because you’re a beautiful specimen of a human being, and you should come with a warning label or something, okay?” She crossed her arms haughtily over her chest, wet cotton plastered against her increasingly sensitive skin.

“Beautiful?” he asked with mock confusion. “Can’t say anyone’s ever called me that before.”

He took a step closer, close enough that she could smell him mixed with the part of her drink he wore. Close enough to touch him…and for him to touch her.

He was baiting her. She knew it, and he knew she knew it. He was leaving the ball in her court, letting her decide where they went from here.

“Well, you are.” She jutted out her chin, trying still to play at defiance, but what was the point in playing any longer?

Her skin begged to be touched.

Her lips demanded to be kissed.

And her heart? Her stupid, traitorous heart? It needed him to be the one to do it all.

“And sexy,” she whispered. “God, Eli. I think I might actually explode if you don’t kiss me, like, right now.”

Beth didn’t wait for him to react. Instead she threw her arms around him and took what she needed. And when he pressed his strong hands to her waist, his lips parting to invite her in, she knew right then and there that she was a goner, head over heels in love with this man.

They somehow made it back down onto the blanket, Eli’s shirt lost in the shuffle.

She straddled him, her knees pressed against his hips as she kissed his lips, cheeks, nose, eyes, the line of his jaw. She wanted to touch and taste every inch of him, but a tiny voice in the back of her head felt the need to interrupt.

You know you’re outside, right? Like, out in the world for all to see?

But could all really see?

“Eli?” she asked, her voice breathy as she paused in the middle of kissing his neck.

“Yeah?” His voice came out hoarse.

She stared at him, teeth grazing her bottom lip.

“Does anyone come to this spot other than you and your brothers?”

His devilish grin returned.

“No…and Boone is helping Casey’s parents at the tavern this afternoon and evening.”

“And your other brother? Ash?”

Eli laughed. “Wherever he is on his tour, which is nowhere near Meadow Valley, I doubt he’s even awake yet.”

Beth’s eyes widened. “On tour? Your brother Ash is Ash Murphy?”

Eli groaned. “Yep.”

“The country singer,” she added, no longer a question.