Page 90 of Tinder Embrace
I shook my head. “Nope.”
“It’s simple. Playing defense hasn’t worked. Now it’s time to go on offense.”
“How?” I asked.
“I’ll start making noise around town about wanting to sponsor a recall election,” Zander said. “See who bites.”
“Everyone knows Zander and I are frenemies,” Gwen added. “It’s perfect. Too juicy an opportunity for whomever has been pulling strings behind our backs to finally step out into the light.”
“You really think it’ll be that easy?” I asked.
“Probably not,” Gwen acknowledged. “But at this point, it’s worth a try.”
Gwen left to talk to the sheriff, Zander trailing her. Eve excused herself to return to the check-in table.
“I’m still pissed,” Davis rumbled in my ear, holding me like his favorite teddy bear.
I turned in his arms, wanting to see his expression. “Yeah. So, that was new…”
He scowled. “I’ve worked hard not to react like that anymore. To control my anger and channel it better. I got carried away. I’m sorry, Bee. Your life, your choice.”
“True,” I said, watching his expression. “But I’d like to think we’re building a life together, which means you’re part of the equation.”
His shoulders relaxed, seeming relieved that I wasn’t upset over his outburst.
“Bee, I’m probably more like a math textbook: full of problems, but if there’s a chance we can solve them together, I’m in.”
“Careful, Davis. I’m rubbing off on you. You’re getting cornier by the minute.”
“Correction: I want you to rubonme, and I’m gettinghornierby the minute,” he growled softly in my ear, squeezing my butt for emphasis.
I groaned, helpless with laughter. A few months ago, or even weeks ago, I wouldn’t have imagined Davis being this playful. This talkative.
“What kind of monster have I created?” I moaned softly, letting my love shine as I grinned up at him.
“Just your very own Beast, one who loves you to distraction,” he promised softly, capturing my mouth in a long kiss. His palms cupped my chin, more delicate than a breath of wind and twice as loving.
Soaking in the certainty that he loved me, I let the head rush take me, not caring that we were kissing in front of the whole town, and, inevitably, my students.
No matter what obstacles life threw at us, I had my very own soft place to land.
Epilogue
Sophie
We’d lucked into a gorgeous morning for ballooning, clear and still. It promised to be a hot day later, but the morning launch had been blessedly cool. Every year I took my crew up for flights as a thank you, and this morning I’d coaxed Gwen out for a ride. I’d warned Davis that we might fly over the farm if the atmospheric winds held. I could only be glad that this time, my burner was functioning perfectly. There was no risk of crashing.
And it wasn’t only Davis’s farm anymore – I’d also called it home for the last nine months.
“Is that the farm?” Gwen sidled closer to lean against my side of the basket.
“Yes, but I think we’ll fly a little north today.”
“Oh.”
Gwen sounded disappointed, and I looked up from my propane tank. “Problem?”
She shook her head, her innocent expression making me immediately suspicious. “Nope.”
