Page 25 of Tinder Embrace
I’d caught them getting handsy in dark corners a time too many lately. Brady’s professional restraint seemed to go out the window when he and Eve were alone.
She dissolved into giggles, glee in her expression as she shook her head sheepishly. “Solid instincts, Sophie. No notes.”
When we'd demolished our pizza, Gwen called us to order to discuss the upcoming spring festival.
"I've got twenty-three pilots from Washington and neighboring states signed up to fly," I said. "Joe agreed to bring the propane truck to the field at McDonald High, so we'll take off from there, then return to refuel after our flights."
"The artist's market will open later in the morning. So far, we've got about thirty different vendors," Eve said.
"Good." Gwen nodded. "I'll manage countermeasures."
Izzy shook her head. "I can't believe that's something we even have to worry about," she grumbled.
Gwen wrinkled her nose. "That's the city we live in, apparently. I'll be glad when whomever is working against us realizes we're not going to back down."
"You think that'll happen soon?" I asked, hopeful.
"Probably not until someone's in handcuffs," Gwenanswered.
"I don't understand why anyone would go to the lengths they did this fall and winter to sabotage community events."
"Revenge. Sour grapes. Take your pick," Eve ticked off her ideas on her fingers.
Gwen shrugged. "At least the local business owners are happy with us. Receipts were up twenty percent this year over last year for the slow season." She smiled at me. "And now we have Sophie leading the charge on our Balloon Escape. It's going to be great."
The fire consumed the logs, turning to embers while we talked, until it was difficult to see Gwen and Izzy across the fire. The low rumble of Davis's quad broke the silence that had fallen after we wrapped up town business. As much as I was enjoying the peaceful night and my friends’ company, Davis’s arrival was a wake-up call. My heart thumped, and every sense went on alert, anticipating him.
Izzy pushed to her feet. "I think that's my cue. Good night, all."
"Same," Eve said with a yawn.
I gathered our cups and trash while Gwen put out the fire.
Davis glided to a stop and nodded to me. "Ready?"
I thrilled at his easy invitation. "Night, everyone," I said, sliding onto the ATV behind Davis after tying our trash bag to the back rack.
"Good night," my friends called.
If they exchanged knowing grins in the darkness as I wrapped my arms around Davis, I was determined to ignore them, sure it was just a trick of the dying light.
Chapter 10
Davis
Sophie wrapped her arms around me for the ride back to the house, and it was all I could do to hold back a whimper as her warm curves snuggled behind me. A verymanlywhimper, of course. Really, more of a grunt.
The more time I spent with Sophie, the harder she was to resist. But I had to try. Hooking up with her would only end in heartache.
My relationships were few and far between, and usually painfully short. I'd get busy with work and forget to text or call and inevitably piss off the woman I was dating. Or we'd go out, and I'd be in a mood and things would end badly. Just because I couldn't stop thinking about Sophie didn't mean things would be different. They'd probably be much worse.
If I screwed up with her, I'd still have to see her every week at the farm. Jo’s disapproval would be a drop in the bucket compared to the pain of being left in the cold by Sophie. She brought life and warmth everywhere she went. Her laughter, her teasing, her attempts to bring me out of my shell – I was becoming addicted.
Now that I knew how she tasted, had heard her tiny moans of approval as we kissed, even hearing her laughter floating down the hallway would be like taking a knife to the heart. She’d be just out of reach, yet always around. A recipe for agony if ever there was one.
I parked the quad under the small carport designed for that purpose, and Sophie slid from behind me with a quiet “good night.”
I followed her inside, wanting to prolong my time with her. "How about some tea?"
