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“Sure.” Her hand felt delicate in mine, and I was careful not to crush the bones as I led her out to the street. “Thanks for dinner, Drew.”

“Anytime, honey.”

And I meant it. I’d dress up and eat fancy food seven nights a week if she’d be there across the table from me. I’d grown so used to life on the farm, to the daily grind of the business, that I hadn’t realized what I was missing: a life. Even the simple things, like a walk in the moonlight with Anya, brought more color to my day than I’d had in an age.

When had I become so stuck in a rut? So alone? Had I been going through the motions for so long, I forgot what happy felt like? Being with Anya was different. She made me slow down and take notice of the world around me. Noticeher.Mostlyher.

A quiet chemistry simmered between the surface with us. There, but not demanding. More of a slow burn than immediate ignition. Not a wildfire, but an ember, steady and enduring, meant to burn for years. Decades. A lifetime.

We were slowly peeling away the outer layers, getting to know each other as we shed the personas we adopted around others. The masks. I wasn’t just the grumpy farmer, obsessed with his business when I was with her. She wasn’t just the bright and friendly studio owner, welcoming to all. We had secrets. Obsessions. Good days and bad.

But I sensed more under the surface. Truths she wasn’t telling me yet. The hesitation when I asked her about her family worried me. Not everyone was close to their parents, but the way her eyes shadowed when I mentioned hers troubled me.

The breeze picked up, and Anya shivered. I shrugged out of my jacket, wrapping it around her. She leaned onto my shoulder.

“I feel like you’re constantly giving me your coat.”

“Funny enough, I’m always plenty warm around you. But it is getting chillier. Want to head home and sit with me out back at your firepit?”

“Sounds lovely.” Her voice was a gentle purr, the vibrations stroking my internal cat.

I turned on the firepit when we arrived, brushing off the bench seat. Anya settled in next to me, feet extended toward the fire. The flames flickered and danced, casting a gentle glow on her cheeks and red mouth. I extended my arm in invitation, wrapping it tightly around her shoulders when she snuggled closer. Her warm weight settled against me, the mix of her shampoo and lotion enclosing me in a floral haze that was uniquely Anya.

Her breast pushed against my chest, round and full. It made me painfully aware of the swell of her hip pressed against mine. Tendrils of longing snaked through me. I stroked a gentle finger along her right shoulder, tracing the arches and hollows.

She nuzzled into the crook of my neck, sending a lightning bolt to jolt me to attention. The slow slide of her lips along my collarbone sent blood rushing into my groin like she’d flipped a switch.

She smiled against my neck. She knewexactlywhat she was doing to me.

In one swift move, I scooped her up, dropping her across my lap so we were face to face.

Her blue eyes glittered down at me, her red mouth tempting me forward. She surged, rolling her hips into mine as I captured her mouth.

I let my hands run wild, molding her hips and the sweet curve of her ass, massaging as we indulged in a kiss that was slow and deep, full of promises for later. It went on and on, a siren song that beckoned me closer, encouraging me to wallow in her scent. Her taste.

She melted against my chest, breathing hard when we finally broke apart. I dropped a kiss on top of her head. “I should get going.”

“Should you?” She leaned back and arched a brow.

“If I come inside, I’m going to want tocome inside. I’m not sure we’re ready for that yet.”

“That makes one of us.”

I peered at her. “When we make love, it’s going to mean something to me. There’ll be no going back. I want to wait until it means something to you too.”

Her mouth opened and closed, as if I’d surprised her with my honesty.

I kissed her tenderly. “Goodnight, Anya. Sweet dreams.” I helped her up. “I’ll see you to the door.”

Her lips twitched. “All five feet?”

I wrapped her in a hug, squeezing tight. Kissing her for real was more than my self-control could stomach. Instead, I dropped a kiss on her forehead. “Lock up, honey. I want to know you’re safe before I leave.”

She slid the door closed, crossing her eyes from behind the glass as she flipped the lock. She fingered her collar, sliding her fingers along the vee of her neckline. It was a taunt. And almost more than my willpower could endure.

I sketched a salute and turned on my heel, scurrying away from temptation. Ignoring the internal voice that urged me to take her up on her silent offer. It whispered that she might change her mind if I waited too long. But I wanted things to be perfect. No barriers between us. And that meant waiting until we were both truly ready. Until she trusted me enough to share it all.

Chapter 18 – Anya