Page 53 of True North

“Harry, what if it doesn’t work out? It’s a small town. What if?—”

I slam my mouth over hers. Those words, they’re mine. I swallow them down, extinguishing the sentiment they hold. The thoughts I am sure are ramping up in that incredible brain of hers are whisked away. She slides her arms around my neck, and I run my tongue against the seam of her lips.

She opens, and I sweep in, loving her like I’ve waited ten whole years for this.

And I have.

We both have.

Heat licks my spine, sending my cock harder, my hold on her tighter.

I break away, remembering where we are.

Louisa stares up at me, lips swollen, chest heaving.

“Harry, I?—”

I nudge her nose with my own. “I should take you home.”

“Okay...”

I brush my fingers over her cheek, tucking the waves of blonde hair behind her ear. Her lips part, as if my simple touch has her drowning.

Not just me, then.

Even after all these years.

To my surprise, she starts walking for the restaurant. I follow her after a beat, watching those hips sway with every step. Her long blonde hair falls in waves down her back, swinging in time to her elegant stride, the hem of her dress skimming the back of her thighs.

Hell.

If she wasn’t the only woman in the world I’ve ever wanted, this could be highly inappropriate. When she slows at the locked restaurant doors and slides her key into the mechanism, I catch up, wrapping myself around her.

I have no intention of going upstairs tonight, but I sure am going to make the most of this moment. Louisa’s hand stills on the door handle as my lips graze her neck. She spins in my hold and takes my face in her palms. Dipping, I kiss her with everything I have. Like the floodgates that have been held back for so long have finally burst with a hard, all-consuming motion.

Louisa breaks the kiss. “You should probably leave,” she utters.

“I should.” The words are a rasp.

Now that I have held her, even the thought of walking away and leaving her for a moment burns. I don’t want to go home. Hell, Ma’s probably wondering what’s takin’ so long.

“Harry,” she says, hands resting on my collarbone. “You told Rosie about the ranch yet?”

I straighten.Way to change the subject, darlin’.

“Nope. Not yet.”

“Oh, I thought. Well, maybe I could give you two a hand to settle in? Help Rosie set up her new kitchen. It’s kind of exciting.”

I shake my head, huffing a chuckle. “She would love that. But it’s a state secret ’til next month, okay?”

“Sure. Night, Harry.”

She pushes through the doors and turns back to lock them up. As she ascends the stairs, I stay standing on the sidewalk like a lovesick fool. Remembering the last best memory I have of her here.

“You have to take me to Mama’s. It’s not a real date, we’re not really goin’ steady without the table for two by candlelight, Harry.”

Louisa’s head rests in my lap. I sit against the headboard of the truck parked at the lake. The stars overhead shimmer, and I still can’t believe the most amazing girl I’ve ever met agreed to a date.

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