Page 42 of Bourbon and Bluebells

“I’m not laughing, I’m impressed.” He tightened his arms around her waist and pressed a kiss into the side of her neck, loving the way she shivered when he did. “Impressed, and maybe a little bit turned on.”

She looked up at him over her shoulder and laughed. “Are you making fun of me?”

“No, I’m deadly serious.” He reluctantly let go of her and stepped away. “But after last night and this morning, I’m not going to pounce on you again just yet.” He looked around. “I’mjust here to be useful. Put me to work. Tell me what you want me to do and I’m on it.”

She smiled and looked down at her clipboard again. She had a sheet for each room, and she handed him one markedspare room.“If you really want to help, you can take inventory in there.”

“I’ll be happy to.” And he wasn’t just being polite; he liked the idea of helping her settle into her new place, liked the idea of being part of her life.

She looked hesitant as she asked, “Are you sure? I know this isn’t a fun visit for you. If you prefer, we could go out. We could go sightseeing, go down to Baker Beach, see the water and the bridge?”

He went back to her and wrapped her in a hug as he pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Maybe we can do that tomorrow. I came to help you get settled into your new place.” He smiled. “Well, I came to see you. But I want to help you get settled in. If we’re all done by tomorrow, then maybe we can go to the beach, go for a walk, go sightseeing. But that’s not why I’m here.” He smiled when a thought struck him. “Not that I’m saying I don’t want to do any of those things. But it’s okay; if we don’t get the chance this time, I’ll just have to come back next weekend.”

A rush of warmth spread through his chest when she grasped the sides of his shirt. “I’ve been trying not to think about that. I’ve been telling myself that all I can do is make the most of today – and tomorrow, while I’ve got you. But I can’t help wondering what happens next, where we go from here.”

He reached up and brushed his fingers over her lips before leaning in for a kiss. “I’m the same. I don’t know where we’re going, but I do know that we’re going somewhere.”

They stood there staring into each other’s eyes for a long moment before she laughed and said, “For now, you’re going into the spare room and I’m going into my room, and we’re getting this place unpacked.”

~ ~ ~

As they sat eating breakfast in the little nook by the window on Sunday morning, Alyssa wanted to pinch herself. How did her life get to be this good? It was hard to believe that she was here, in her new, amazing apartment with … Was Bentley her new, amazing man? She’d love for him to be, and he acted – and talked – as if he’d like that too. But they’d both steered well clear of any mention of their parents – any mention of their imminent status as stepsiblings.

She stopped with her fork halfway to her mouth when she realized that Bentley was watching her with a small smile playing on his lips.

She laughed, feeling self-conscious. “What? What is it? Do I have spinach between my teeth?” All her planning and organizing for this weekend had included a run to the grocery store to make sure that she had drinks and nibbles for the evenings if not the means to make dinner, and everything she needed to make omelets – given that she had a feeling they might need to build their strength back up in the morning. She’d been right about that, too.

Bentley smiled and reached for her hand. “No, nothing like that. I was just watching you, wondering what you are thinking about. You look happy, but you look kind of pensive too. Want to tell me about it?”

She stared at him for a long moment. Did she really want to tell him that she’d been wondering if he was her new man? Sheswallowed; she might as well, it was the only way she was going to find out.

She nodded slowly. “I am happy, and I was just thinking, wondering …” Her heart started to beat faster – was it a bad idea to tell him that she was wondering where this was going? She didn’t want him to feel that she was putting him under pressure.

He reached across the table, took hold of her hand, and gave it a squeeze. “I’d guess that you’re wondering the same thing that I am.”

She should have known. She should have trusted him. Even though that might be a strange thing to think after knowing each other for such a short time, it was true. He’d already proved to her that whenever she hesitated, he was right there on the same page with her.

She gave him a rueful smile. “Can I be a chicken this time and ask you to go first?”

He laughed. “I don’t think it’s being chicken. You can ask me – no, tell me – to go first anytime you like. I don’t ever want you to feel like you have to go out on a limb, to put yourself or at least your feelings, on the line for me. I want to do everything I can to reassure you.”

“Aww, I still stand by what I said that first night.”

“What’s that?”

She grinned. “You’re amazing.”

He laughed. “Thanks. As far as I’m concerned, you’re the amazing one. And that brings us back to what we were both wondering. I think you’re so amazing that I want to spend more time with you. I’ve already told you I’d love to see you again next weekend. I’ll come here if you’ll have me, or I’d love for you to come to Napa if you want.”

“I’d love to.” She bit down on her bottom lip. “But that kind of brings up the elephant in the room, doesn’t it?”

“It does, and I think it’s time we brought it up anyway.”

Her heart started to beat faster. “And?”

He smiled. “Don’t look so worried. I’ve been thinking about it a lot and I don’t think there’s any reason we shouldn’t just tell them.”

Alyssa sucked in a deep breath. “You don’t?”

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