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Tate had known she could create beautiful arrangements. The work she’d done for this wedding was amazing and he couldn’t wait to see her designs for the Founders’ Day festival brought to life.

His grumbling stomach pulled him from his internal musings, and he headed over to the table where the leather binder with all the hotel amenities sat. Fifteen minutes later dinner was ordered and he had a glass of champagne in his hand.

“Knock, knock,” he said before turning the handle to the bathroom.

“Come in. Oh, you’re already in here. You know you’re supposed to wait for permission to enter.” Kelly’s voice didn’t hold any hint of annoyance, just humor.

“I figured you wouldn’t mind so much when you saw what I have in my hand.” He held up the flute filled with champagne.

“Hmm, on this occasion I’ll forgive you. Do I have to get out? Is dinner here?”

Kelly standing, the water sluicing from her body, bubbles in tempting places on her gorgeous flesh, was a vision he would love to see.

Again, his body sprang into action. He really needed to get himself under control. “Um, what did you ask?” With his mind full of a wet, naked Kelly, he’d completely blanked on what she’d asked him.

“Is dinner here yet? Do I have to get out? And can I have my drink, please?”

“Oh, right. Umm, no, dinner will probably be another forty-five minutes, the kitchen is busy so you don’t have to get out. And here.” He held out the glass for her.

“Thanks.” She took the glass with one hand and kept hold of his hand with her other. Her eye contact remained locked with his, and he tracked the movement of the glass as she brought it to her lips and took a delicate sip. Kelly still hadn’t released his hand, and he wasn’t in any hurry to lose contact with her.

“You know what?” she said conversationally as she placed the glass down on the tiled ledge behind her.

“What?” he answered. If it was what he thought, he was okay with it.

“I’m lonely.” Tugging his hand, with more strength than he expected, he tumbled toward the tub.

Tate could’ve stopped himself from falling into the water, but he didn’t because he wanted to be with her as much as she wanted to be with him. What he did though was maneuver himself so he didn’t crack his ribs on the edge of the porcelain tub.

Water splashed up and over the sides, landing on the white tiles with a loud splash. Kelly’s giggles filled the room, and he grabbed her face with both hands. “You are so going to pay for that, Ms. Turner.”

“Really? How do you plan to punish me, Mr. Prentice?”

“Just you wait and see.” He lowered his head and open-mouth kissed her. Both of them moaned at the contact, and Tate knew in that moment that he’d found his home with Kelly. Now all he had to do was convince her that they belonged together.

Chapter Sixteen

“Macy, did youget my email about the workers at Prentice Peach Farms?” Kelly asked as they sat in a back booth at Betty Lou’s Diner.

Work was starting the next day at the farm and Kelly wanted to make sure that she followed through on her promise to Tate to keep the disruption to his father to a minimum.

“Yeah, I’ve already talked to the guys who will be doing the work. They can’t guarantee there won’t be a lot of noise, but they’re going to do their best to make sure that Trenton isn’t disturbed.”

“Good. I know Tate will be there to oversee as well, but he also has to make sure the harvest is still on schedule.” Kelly couldn’t help the smile that stretched her mouth.

Their weekend away had been wonderful, especially the night of the wedding. After she’d pulled him into the bath, he’d gotten out and stripped off his sodden clothing before getting back in and set about “punishing” her.

A rush of warmth pooled between her legs and she shifted on the chair. With both so busy over the next week and half, the chances of hooking up again was slim. Tate would want to spend as much time with his dad as he could now that he was back home.

“Well now, I certainly recognize that look,” Macy commented with a laugh.

Kelly’s grin widened and she shrugged. “I had a good weekend.”

“Tell me more.”

As much as she wanted to tell her friend, she also wanted to keep it quiet. What she and Tate had was new, and she didn’t want to spoil it by telling everyone. Oh, she knew telling her good friend wasn’t like she was standing in the middle of town center with a bullhorn and broadcasting for all to hear. But she still didn’t want to become the subject of the town’s gossip, so keeping quiet was going to be her plan.

She motioned with her hand that her lips were locked up tight. Macy rolled her eyes. “You’re no fun, Kelly.”