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She shook her head slowly. “I don’t want to talk.”

He slid his fingers into her hair and pulled her head down. When their lips were almost touching, he said, “You’re a smart lady. I can think of better ways to spend our time alone.”

She laughed. “Me too, but since I don’t think that joining the mile-high club would be a good idea when there’s a chance thatAshton could come back at any moment, we should save that for tonight. For now, kiss me.”

He didn’t need to be told twice. He claimed her mouth in a deep, searing kiss. He loved the way she kissed him back. It was the same each time – she started out hesitantly, as if she wasn’t sure of herself or of him. But she allowed him to coax her and within moments, she kissed him back as if she had no doubts about what she wanted – and what she wanted was him.

He stroked his fingers over the nape of her neck, and the way she moaned made him rock his hips. The feel of her ass on his lap had him digging his fingers into her hips. She grasped at his shoulders and moved with him. He slid his hand down the back of her jeans and squeezed her ass, making her gasp and move against him more urgently.

He reluctantly withdrew his hand and lifted his head. “Shit! I don’t want to stop, but you’re right, we don’t want Ashton coming back out and seeing me doing what I want to do to his mom right now.”

She let out a short laugh. “No. We shouldn’t risk it, but he’s going to have to have an early night tonight.”

“It’s the sensible thing to do. He’s had a big weekend. He should get to bed early.” He squeezed her ass again. “And so should his mom.”

They both started guiltily when Bear’s voice came over the intercom. “We’re going to be starting our descent here soon.”

Tanner smiled. “I think that’s his way of saying I should come get Ashton.”

Everly nodded. “Thanks. It was so kind of Bear to let him sit in the cockpit with him, but I like the idea of Ashton sitting back here with us so that Bear can focus on landing us safely.”

She slid off his lap, and Tanner got up to go and fetch Ashton. He knew that in his active-duty days, Bear had dealt with much worse distractions than a small boy peppering him with questions from the right seat, but he still wanted Ashton to come and sit with them for the last part of the flight. He didn’t know what to expect when they landed, and he wanted to be sure that Ashton was glad he was there.

~ ~ ~

Ashton helped Tanner load the bags into the trunk of the car. Then, they stood and watched as the plane took off again. Ashton waved like crazy when it taxied by them on its way to the end of the runway.

Tanner pointed. “Look, Bear’s waving back.”

Ashton waved even more enthusiastically. “Bear’s cool!”

Tanner gave Everly a wry smile as he said, “He is. He’s a great pilot, too.”

“He showed me how to fly the plane. He even let me hold the controls.”

Tanner chuckled. He couldn’t blame the kid for being so enthralled. He’d felt the same way the first time that Bear had let him sit in the right seat. “That’s awesome. Do you want to be a pilot now?”

Everly couldn’t help but laugh at the look her son gave him as he said, “Duh! No. Bear’s cool, being a pilot’s cool, but not as cool as being a cowboy. I’m going to be a cowboy – just like you.”

Her heart melted in her chest. It was that last part – he wanted to be just like Tanner. She closed her eyes briefly, hoping like hell that she wasn’t making a huge mistake here.

“Come on, let’s get home,” she said. “We still need to get things ready for school tomorrow.”

“And you need to call Mel, Mom. Don’t forget to call her. She doesn’t need to pick me up from school.” He grinned up at Tanner. “Tanner’s going to get me.”

It felt strange to see Tanner in the passenger seat of her Camry. He looked much more at home behind the wheel of his big truck. Not that she was complaining – she was so glad he was here.

He looked out the window at the rolling hillsides covered in grapevines. “So, this is where Xander grew up, huh?”

“You mean Ava’s Uncle Xander?” Ashton asked.

“I do. I know him.”

“Oh, that’s right. You were SEALS together, right?”

“That’s right.”

Everly slowed the car as they approached Grady and Hannah’s cottage. It felt strange to just drive by, but she didn’t want to take up too much of what was left of the evening.