“I’ll put those in the bedroom,” he said.
When he took them, their fingers brushed and she wondered if this electricity between them was stronger simply because of the timeline. At the moment, she didn’t care.
She moved to the couch, sat down, tried to collect herself, but his kisses had shifted something inside of her, making her realize how ready she’d been tosettle.For so much less than she deserved.
Beckett returned, joined her on the couch. She shifted so her knees were tucked to the side and she was angled toward him. He took her hand, ran a finger over her knuckles.
“You’re a very special woman, Presley Ayers.”
She watched him trace over the light veins on the back of her hands. “You’re pretty cool, yourself, Beckett Keller.”Understatement.
The intensity and the feel of his hands on her lingered like a ghost but she liked this, too. She liked sitting with him, chatting, touching, and looking at each other. Being seen. She was very interested in taking their combustible chemistry all the way but she also wanted to know him. Learn more about him. Laugh with him. Make him smile.
“Do you have a deck of cards?” she asked.
His eyebrows drew together. “Yes.”
“Grab it,” she said, smiling at his suspicion.
Beckett got up, went over to a dresser against the wall next to his bedroom. The drawer squeaked when he pulled it open. He was back quickly, handing her the cards and taking his seat.
“It’s not strip poker,” she said.
He plucked them from her hand. “Never mind, then.”
She laughed, took them back. Taking the cards out of the package, she shuffled, then laid the deck on the cushion between them.
“Ace to six, you ask me a question, seven to king, I ask you.”
“How come you get an extra card?” Beckett stretched his arm along the back of the couch, pulling one knee up so he was angled like her.
“Women always get more. It’s polite.”
He laughed, played with a lock of her hair, sending a shiver over her skin. “Hmm. That sounds right. Okay. You draw.”
She turned over a four.
He grinned. “Why did you book a trip that involves hiking?”
That was fairly safe. “I thought it would show Emmett I could enjoy some of the things he likes; that it might strengthen our relationship.”
Even when he frowned at her, he still had little happy creases at the corners of his eyes. “Some things aren’t worth the work.”
True. “But people should be, right?”
“Sure. If they’re willing to meet you halfway.” His gaze went to the cards. “My turn.” He turned over a two, met her gaze with another grin. “If someone were to plan a trip for you, what would be your ideal?”
She rubbed her hands together. “Oh. I like that question.” She tapped one finger against her chin. “I actually really love looking at the water and I don’t really mind the boat. So, maybe a pretty place on the water but with access to cute mom-and-pop eateries and gift shops. I love to shop. I love to browse, try new foods, and get a feel for the character of new towns. Especially small ones where everyone seems to know everyone.”
“Hmm. That sounds like fun. Not what I expected.”
“You thought something with a spa package?”
He laughed. “It crossed my mind.”
“Don’t get me wrong, I’d be all over that.”
Beckett’s gaze heated. He leaned forward, used the hand on the back of the couch to cup her neck and pull her closer for a kiss.
