Page 55 of Where the Heart Is

‘It’s a gift.’ She smiled, but there was no levity in his gaze.

‘I mean it, Mila. You were the only person back then who got me, and I’ve never forgotten. Which makes what we did last night …’ He shook his head and looked away. ‘Last night was incredible but I’d never want to hurt you intentionally and—’

‘Hey, nobody’s getting hurt. We had an amazing night, we’re still friends, so let’s leave it at that, okay?’ She squeezed his hand, relieved when he squeezed back.

But he hadn’t lost the tension in his shoulders, his back ramrod straight, and when he looked back at her, she could see he was conflicted.

‘I know we joke around a lot, but I want you to know you’re special to me.’

Her chest tightened and tears inexplicably sprung to her eyes, so she did what she did best: deflect with flippancy. ‘Right back at you, lover.’

CHAPTER

33

Sawyer managed to sound engaged by asking questions as Mila took him on a tour of her farm-stay project.What’s the rate of occupancy required to break even? How long until you turn a profit? Who’s your competition in the area?He asked all the right things but barely registered her answers, because all he could focus on was the curve of her neck, the line of freckles below her right ear, the way her ribbed singlet clung to breasts he’d explored at length last night …

Man, she’d blown his mind.

He’d had enough one-night stands in his life and knew what to expect. Once the initial attraction got sated with sex, the awkwardness set in, and he couldn’t wait to extract himself and get away.

But that hadn’t happened with Mila. Not that he’d expected to treat her as a one-night stand, but he’d thought things could get messy afterwards and he’d find himself bolting for the motel. Instead, they’d spent an incredible night talking and cuddling and snoozing between three bouts of memorable sex, and now strolled around the farm, back to their usual banter.

He couldn’t get enough of her.

Which meant he was screwed, considering he’d be leaving some time in the next week.

‘Are you even listening to me?’ She snapped her fingers in front of his face. ‘I know I kept you up all night but come on, a guy like you should have stamina.’

Another thing he loved, her ability to make light of their time together and not tiptoe around it like something to be avoided. He wasn’t a complete idiot and had thought having sex might change their friendship, but he should’ve known Mila wouldn’t let that happen. She’d always been there for him, had this way of propping him up when he needed it most.

‘A guy like me?’

‘Now you’re just fishing for compliments.’ She snorted and punched him on the arm. ‘I was asking what you thought about the idea of getting a few animals to keep the kids entertained.’

‘Kids? But we’ve only had one night together. Aren’t you thinking too far ahead?’

Shock widened her eyes for a second before she groaned. ‘You are such a pain in my arse.’

‘And what a fine arse it is.’ He grinned and she slugged him again, but this time they ended up play-wrestling until they were breathless, her hands pinned behind her back, her body pressed against his. ‘Now this is more like it.’

He heard her sharp intake of breath, felt the exact moment she relaxed into him. ‘I thought last night was a one-off?’

‘Do you want it to be?’

He didn’t.

He wanted her, all of her, for as long as he could have her.

Seeing her passion for the farm-stay project, how she came alive, vindicated his choice in helping her out. He’d done the right thing, even if he couldn’t tell her about it.

But last night changed everything.

He wasn’t just investing in her business; he’d become invested with his heart too.

He couldn’t see a future for them—or maybe he didn’t want to think that hard right now—but for however long he was in town, he wanted to be with Mila.

‘What I want is for us to christen the first cottage.’ Her eyes darkened with passion as she arched a brow in provocation. ‘You up for it?’

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