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I’ve kissed guys before, of course. I’ve even dated a few guys more than once—Digger Hayes being one of them, total mistake.

I’ve just never been touched or kissed this way. Kissing Taron makes me understand what the songs and books and movies are about. Now I know why people lose their minds and do crazy things for other people.

His soft lips are on my cheek, and his warm breath is in my hair. “You smell good.”

“You taste like peaches.” I touch my lips with my tongue.

He presses his together a few times. “I like it. You’ll have to make some for me.”

Stepping away, I go to my laptop.

“Sawyer thinks a store is a waste of time. He says we have enough to do around here without having a bunch of tourists poking around in everything.”

Taron sits beside me on the floor so our legs are touching. “What do you think?”

“I think it’s a potential goldmine. Everybody wants organic products, visitors want souvenirs… I think they’ll pay top dollar for this stuff.”

With a few clicks, I show him the research I’ve done on cosmetics and all-natural products and the growth in the market.

He studies it all with an interest that makes me fall for him a little more. “Is this what you want to do?”

“Dolly Parton says you’ll never do a whole lot unless you’re brave enough to try…” I feel self-conscious quoting my icon. “Anyway… I like a challenge.”

“I bet you do.” He smiles at me with something like pride in his eyes, and I feel so excited and optimistic that he believes in me.

“Is that why you joined the military? For the challenge?”

“I don’t know.” He slides a piece of hair off my cheek. “I didn’t have anything else in mind. All my friends were signing up. I figured I’d go and keep my eye on them.”

“Who are your friends? Besides Sawyer, I mean?” I want to know everything about him, how he can come into my life so quickly and feel so seamless, so irreplaceable.

“Patton, Martin… We call him Marley.”

My nose wrinkles. “Why?”

“He loves Bob Marley, and I guess…” Taron blinks down, seeming embarrassed. “He smokes a lot of pot.”

A laugh bubbles in my chest at his protectiveness. Or maybe it’s just the fact of him here, sitting in my room, talking to me this way.

“I love Bob Marley, too.”

He reaches for my computer and types something quickly. A few clicks, and the song “Is This Love” starts playing. Just as fast, he’s on his feet, pulling me up with him. I’m wrapped in his arms, and we sway to the beat of the reggae tune.

It’s like the lyrics are revealing my thoughts. Is this love that I’m feeling? Taron’s hand slides along the hem of my shirt, finding the skin of my lower back. When he touches me, my eyes close. I dissolve into the words. I want to know now…

Lifting my chin, I search for his mouth, and he kisses me again. Our lips seal together, and his palms flatten against my back, holding me securely against his hard body. I feel the hardness below his waist, and my head gets light.

My hands rise to his cheeks, and I drag my nails through the sides of his beard. He lets out a low groan. A soft moan rises in my throat as a response.

We’re moving faster. I’m off my feet. His hands are under my butt, and I wrap my legs around his waist. My nipples harden against his chest. I want to pull off my shirt and feel his skin against mine. I want him inside me.

My head is a fog of want and need and primal instincts when a loud banging on my door makes me yip.

“Noel!” Sawyer’s voice is loud outside. “It’s late. Turn the music down.”

My feet hit the floor, and I drag Taron to the window by his wrist. I’ve never needed my brother to tell me to go to bed, but I think it’s a good thing he did tonight.

“You’d better go. Tomorrow comes early, and it’ll be just as hard as today.”