Page 33 of When You Blush

I frame her face in my hands and devour her. She tastes like sugar and every dream I’ve had for six long, brutal months.

Christ.I’ve missed touching her.

When I come up for air, I rest my forehead on hers. “Should I apologize for that?”

“I hope you won’t,” she whispers. She hasn’t opened her eyes.

“Let’s head back,” I say, reluctantly pulling away from her but keeping her hand in mine. “Before I strip us both naked and fuck you right here where anyone can see.”

She laughs, bites her lip, and grabs her pack. “I’m not into that, Blake.”

“Yeah, well, me neither, but I’m damn tempted.”

Hiking back to the car takes half the time since it’s mostly downhill, and we spend a good portion of it jogging. Not quite as fast as if I were doing this alone, but it’s a good pace, and when we reach the parking lot, we’re both panting pretty hard.

We walk around, catching our breath. She stops by an older SUV that’s seen better days.

“Thisis what Tucker found for you?” I ask her, eyeing the dent in the rear door.

“Yep. This is it.” She opens that dented door andtosses her pack inside. “I have to buy an air freshener. It’s a little musty.”

“Is it safe?” I scowl at it and then at her. “I’m pretty sure you can do better than this, Harper.”

Her eyes narrow on me. “If you think it’s a heap, take it up with your brother. I bought it from him.”

“You bought it from Brooks?”

“Yes. It runs great. It’s not brand new or fancy like that Mercedes over there, but it’s reliable, andI didn’t have to deal with it.I cannot stress to you enough how much I hate car dealerships, Blake. It’s a thing for me, okay? So no, it’s not pretty, but it’s what’s on the inside that counts.”

She laughs at her own joke, and I can’t help it. I cage her in against the car and kiss her again. She’s smiling against my lips, and when I pull back, I don’t even pause. “I want to take you out to dinner tonight.”

Her smile doesn’t slip. “I could eat.”

“I’ll pick you up in two hours.”

“Okay, I’ll text you the address. Don’t think I didn’t catch the wholesend me that pictureso you could get my number thing you did. You didn’t outsmart me, Dr. Blackwell.”

I can’t help but laugh at that and lean in to kiss her forehead. “Got me. Hey, it worked. Shoot me that address, and I’ll see you in two fucking hours.”

“I’ll be ready.” She smiles, and I walk to my car.

When I turn back, she’s gaping. Because I’m standing by the Mercedes she pointed out before, and it makes me laugh.

“Show-off!”

I smirk. “Get in the car, Harper. I won’t leave until you do.”

She shakes her head, sinks into her driver’s seat, and pulls out ahead of me.

Two hours later, to the minute, I pull off the highway and onto a driveway that meanders back through some trees, and then a clearing opens up to a huge log-style mansion that has me blinking in surprise.

Thisis where she lives?

I pull up in front of the double front door and cut the engine, then climb the stairs and ring the doorbell. A few seconds later, she opens the door, and my jaw goes slack.

She’s in jeans and an oversized pink blouse that falls over one shoulder, leaving it bare.

I want to sink my teeth into her there.