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When he still hadn’t spoken after a long while, Everly made a face. “You’re not seriously worried that I might think that, are you? Come on, buddy. You know damn well that I’m only here for a few days. I’m not… Oh, wait, I get it! You think there are only two kinds of women, don’t you?”

He frowned. “What do you mean?”

She laughed, but it sounded a little bitter. “You think that there are only two categories, and all women fall into one or the other. You think that women are only for fucking or forever – go on, it’s okay, you can admit it.”

“No! I…”

She raised her eyebrows as she stepped back from him and folded her arms.

He took his hat off and ran his hand through his hair before cramming the hat back on. “Dammit! You really are calling me out on my shit, aren’t you? If I’m telling the truth… Then, yeah. Now that you spelled it out for me, I have to say that you’re right. I hadn’t thought about it before but…”

He loved the way she smiled at him. “It’s okay. It’s not a problem. You can see things however you see them. The only reason I brought it up was to make it clear that I don’t fall into either category.”

He stared at her for a long moment. His mind was racing. He’d be a liar if he said he wasn’t hoping that she’d fall into the first category – fall into bed with him at least once before she left. At the same time, for what might be the first time in his life, his mind didn’t totally shut down when he contemplated what forever might look like with a woman – with her.

She grinned at him. “Anyway, let’s move on, shall we?”

As they started walking again, he nudged her with his elbow. “Are you trying to tell me that you don’t plan to fall madly in love with me?” he asked with his best smile. “I’m hard to resist, or so they tell me.”

She laughed out loud. “Unlikely.”

He laughed with her, but a heaviness settled in his chest. He had to be out of his freaking mind, but part of him was disappointed by her answer.

“Unlikely?” he asked. “How about possibly?”

She shook her head at him. “Not gonna happen, cowboy, and we both know it. And besides, you’d run for the hills if I did.”

He wanted to deny that, but there was no point. Instead, he blew out an exaggerated sigh. “I guess I’ll just have to settle for you teaching me about how it works in the middle ground, then.”

She gave him a puzzled look.

He couldn’t resist leaning in and pressing a quick kiss to her lips. “You know, like you said, somewhere between fucking and forever.”

~ ~ ~

When they got back to the truck, Tanner walked Everly to the passenger door. Instead of opening it for her, he backed her against it, bracing his hands on the door and caging her in. It occurred to her that she should probably be worried. She was out in the middle of nowhere with him. They hadn’t seen a single person since they arrived. He could do whatever he wanted to her. But instead of scaring her, that thought sent shivers rippling over her skin.

He leaned his head to the side and smiled. “So.”

“So?”

“Did you enjoy this?’

“I did. It’s beautiful here.”

He held her gaze and said, “Gorgeous.”

This time, she didn’t push at his arm or brush him off. The look in his eyes convinced her that he meant it.

“I’m glad you think so. You know the feeling’s mutual.”

He nodded slowly. “But there’s more than that going on here, right?”

She swallowed; of course there was. This might have started out with her simply feeling flattered that the sexy bartender was into her but now … He really was a great guy. He was fun. Of course he was the biggest flirt, but he knew how to laugh at himself.

He raised his eyebrows when she didn’t reply. “Or do I have it all wrong? You can tell me if I do. It’s okay if you just wanted someone to hang out with and to show you around.”

She was shocked to see the uncertainty in his eyes. She reached out and rested her palm in the middle of his chest – which might not have been the wisest move; she could feel how solid and muscular he was, even through his jacket.