Page 42 of Pretty Relentless

“What do you say, Miss Rutledge? Care to commemorate this night with a picture?”

There’s slight hesitation in her response, but she nods. I hold up the camera, the screen pointed at us so we can see, and prepare to snap the picture. Only, you can’t see much of the pink sky, since we’re facing it. “Let’s stand,” she suggests.

I wrap the blanket around her shoulders, and we turn so we’re facing south. I step behind her and hold the phone out. Angling it up so we get the northern lights behind us, I snap a few shots. Her scent hangs in the air, all sweet and alluring. Ittickles my nose and makes me want to bury it in her neck. Or her hair. Or somewhere else I have no business thinking about right now.

When our little selfie photo session is complete, I slip my phone back into my pocket as Ava lets out a yawn. It’s late, and even though I’m having one of the best nights of my life just because she’s here, I know the time has come to take her home. “Do you have all the pictures you want?” I ask.

She’s still standing close, and when she turns to face me, our chests touch. With coats, we can’t exactly feel anything, but it’s still electrifying. A zing of a current slides through my veins and I reach out. My right hand caresses her cold cheek, and I swear she leans into my touch just a bit. Ava licks her lips once more, and my eyes zero in on them. Lush, plump, and ripe for kissing.

I want to taste her so damn bad.

My thumb traces a gentle line across her lower lip and her eyes flutter closed. Her mouth is slightly open, and the warm puffs of air have stopped. She’s holding her breath, waiting.

She’s waiting for me to kiss her.

Slowly, as to give her plenty of time to stop me, I lower my head and lightly brush my lips across hers. Again, I allow her the chance to pull back or end the kiss, but when I feel her gloved hands grip my coat, anchoring herself to me, all bets are off. My lips are a little more urgent as I gently deepen the kiss. Her mouth opens, allowing my tongue the opportunity to delve inside, to taste her.

Ava leans closer as I shift my hand to the back of her neck. The angle allows me to deepen the kiss without letting it get carried away. Her grip on my coat is tight, and I feel the gentle sway of her body into mine. I realize right here and now, standing in the middle of an open space, the northern lights beautifully on display above us, this is the perfect kiss.

The first of what I hope will be many.

Even though I don’t want to, I slow my lips and slightly pull back. Resting my forehead against hers, we both suck in deep, greedy breaths of oxygen. The cold of night long forgotten, at least for now. The feel of her body pressed against mine, her face touching me, has my blood in my veins hotter than the Fourth of July.

“Wow,” she whispers, her breath warming my face.

“Yeah,” I reply, clearing my throat and trying to get my bearings. Just one kiss from this woman has completely scrambled my brain.

Her face is flush, and I hope it’s from the heat of the moment and not from embarrassment. There’d be nothing worse than her regretting the kiss I thought was outstanding. “We should probably get back,” she whispers, gazing up at me under her eyelashes.

“It’s late.”

She nods and slowly releases her grip on my coat. When she takes a small step back, I let her go, hating the instant wave of longing and coldness washing over me. I want her back in my arms, my lips pressed to hers.

But I’m in no rush.

Where’s she’s concerned, I have all the time in the world to make sure I get this right.

I pack up the picnic basket and set it up on the tractor fender, while Ava folds the large blanket from the rock. When I have it added to the tractor load, I turn and extend my hand to assist Ava.

“Thank you,” she says, her bag and blanket thrown over her arm.

I take them both while she climbs up the steps and gets herself situated. Handing off her items, I climb up and take the seat. Ava sits on my leg, just as she did on our trip out here, andwraps the smaller blanket around her legs. I start the tractor and let it warm up a few moments before putting it in gear.

The return trip to the barn is uneventful, and I’m pulling the tractor inside before I’m ready. Now that I’ve had my lips pressed to hers, there’s a heavy buzz of desire swirling through the air. Plus, I’m enjoying the hell out of getting to know her, and I’m just not ready for our night to end.

As I lock up the barn, she places our belongings into the back seat of my truck, and before I know it, we’re heading back to town. I can’t help but steal glances her way, because she’s wearing a content little smile on her lips as she watches the scenery pass us by. Sadly, I’m pulling into her driveway when I’d much rather take a drive around town—hell, the county—just to draw out our night a little more, but I know I can’t.

Our time together has come to an end.

“I’ll walk you to your door,” I offer, releasing my seat belt and climbing out. I retrieve her bag and blanket from the seat and walk beside her as she makes her way to the front door.

“Thank you,” she says after releasing the locks. Brown eyes sparkle up at me. “I had an amazing night.”

“I’m glad,” I reply, rocking back on my heels.

She turns to step inside the house but pauses just before crossing the threshold. “Gavin?”

“Yes?”

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