Page 13 of Silent Heart

Going to the Tavern was out of the question. I didn’t go there on principle, and just because I had a small crush on my new neighbor didn’t mean I would entertain the idea of going to the hole-in-the-wall bar. The same jackasses who I went to high school with frequented the place. They slept around, knocked each other up, spread STDs, got married some of the time, and divorced just as quickly. While the locals might rub elbows with the rich, even bringing them to their secluded dive bars like the Tavern, the lake folk left with hangovers, while the locals stayed to repeat the cycle. I saw how lame it was ages ago, and my feelings on the subject never changed.

Looking at Kole, I doubted very much he was the adventurous cidiot jonesing for a trip down County Road 3 with a local girl like me.

But still…. There was something about this stranger, though I couldn’t put my finger on what made him different.

The way he watched me, even when he wasn’t directly looking in my direction, excited me. The glimpses of the man behind the stony, silent exterior, intrigued me. And holy cow, that body turned me on, unleashing the wildest fantasies in the dead of night.

Small crush? Minor attraction? Yeah, I had a full-blown infatuation with my neighbor.

I grabbed a frosty mug from the bar. What was the worst thing that could happen? If we had a fling, I could lose a few extra hundred bucks. In the grand scheme of things, it didn’t matter. And if things were awkward, if swimming lessons were canceled, I could sleep an extra hour in the morning.

I should see if there is something there with him. I was in my mid-thirties. This was the time of life to do exciting things. I didn’t want to look back on this era of my life and regret that I hadn’t reached for every star. That was why I was going back to school. Who said I couldn’t have a second career? No one. I got to choose. Who said I couldn’t have a summer romance with the neighbor? Again…no one.

I’m doing this.Before I could change my mind, I walked over with the fresh microbrew.

“How did you like your beer selection tonight?” I asked, stopping a healthy distance away and keeping the other side of the two-top between us.

Those unwavering blue eyes studied me. “Hoppy.”

“Yeah, that’s an IPA for you.” Taking a deep breath and trying to calm my nerves, I opened my mouth—and began to babble. “Well, since I worked a double, I’ll be cut first tonight. There will still be a couple of hours before bedtime, so I might go do some fishing. Do you fish?”

“You asked me that this morning.”

I stifled a groan. I should cut my losses and run. “Your answer was inconclusive.”

Kole tipped his head to the side, considering me. “I’ve fished.”

“Have you gone fishing in the dark?”Good job with the not lame thing, genius.

“No.”

Seeming to chew on that answer, while really trying to judge how to extricate myself from the situation, I hummed, “You don’t know what you’re missing.”

“You’re right, I don’t.”

Those words were a challenge. They dripped with something entirely different in nature. It was dark and seductive. He pulled me in with that focused stare, daring me to back down.

And damn me, I couldn’t. “I could show you.”

He studied me.

The air around me felt thick, every second stretching out like hours as I stood there, my hands clasped so tightly they ached. My heart hammered in my chest, each beat a heavy thud that seemed to echo in the silence. Crap…I wanted this. I could feel the sweat on my palms, dampening my fingers, and my breath came shallow and quick, catching just a little each time I exhaled.

“Maybe. Someday,” he finally answered.

It wasn’t a yes or no. “Okay then,” I stammered and quickly fled the area.

Orders needed taking, food and beverages were delivered, payments were collected—and the next half hour passed quickly. Someone else had delivered Kole’s meal, so I was able to avoid contact with him.

I’m going to have to go over there.I was a professional. I could do this.

And then tomorrow, I would see him shirtless…again.

My cheeks flamed.

Dropping my gaze to the floor, I hurried to the four-top with the fresh milk for the sweet little girl in pigtails. For a child diner,she was better behaved than many adults. After setting her refill down, I turned sharply but threw a smile to the mother. I would have to see if I could dig the toddler up a cookie or something special—

A hard touch snaked around my wrist. I was yanked sharply to the side.

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