Page 76 of One Southern Summer

An air of disbelief cloaked them. “What did you say?”

“I said, ‘you first.’ When you let go of the burden you’re carrying, maybe I’ll drop mine too.”

“I have to go.” She stood and dusted off the seat of her shorts. “I’ll see you around.”

Anguish lodged in his throat. He stood and chased after her. “Avery, wait.”

He caught up with her on the path.

She whirled and faced him, eyes glittering.

“Please, don’t run away. Not again.”

“I’m not running.”

“Oh, but you are.” He inched closer. Blood roaring behind his ears. He forced himself to move slowly, like he was approaching a skittish, wounded animal. “I’m not the enemy. Don’t you see? You’re beautiful and smart and you’ve been hurt deeply. I get that. But all I want to do is see you thrive.”

So, that wasn’t exactly true. Maribelle had preyed on his weakness. Convinced him to make an offer they all suspected Avery wouldn’t refuse. As he stood in front of her, his eyes roaming her gorgeous face, the desire to kiss her overwhelmed him.

“Why do you care so much about me, Cole?” Her voice was barely above a whisper.

Because I love you.

He couldn’t go there. Not yet. Even if it was the absolute truth and his reason for chasing after her. The reason he’d never stop pursuing her. Gently, he lifted his hands and cupped her cheeks with his palms. She grew still. His heart climbed into his throat. But she didn’t pull away.

“You are one of the most incredible women I’ve ever known. Please, please stop letting the world tell you that you’re not enough. Let go of the burden of other people’s opinions and walk in freedom.”

She tipped her chin up. He braced for rejection, fully expecting her to push him away. He’d planned to respect her reaction, whatever it was, and calmly walk her to her car.

Again, she stayed. Those fathomless blue eyes searched his face. Her hands found their way to his shoulders. He couldn’t last two more minutes with those lips full and pink and plump and oh so kissable in front of him. Those long curls that his fingers ached to tunnel through tickled the backs of his hands. He was a good man, but he wasn’t perfect. She was too tempting to resist. Her eyes fluttered closed and her lips parted. Her breath hitched, drop-kicking the last of his self-control into the lake like a punter in an Alabama-Auburn football game.

“I’m going to kiss you now, Avery Lansing Crawford, like I’ve wanted to for a couple of decades now.” He meant to say all kinds of things, but she angled her head to one side and leaned into him. Then his hand slid into her hair and his mouth claimed hers. She tasted sweet and she was warm and she molded her body to his. The silky feeling of her hair twined through his fingers and her palms gliding from his shoulders to the nape of his neck as he deepened the kiss confirmed that holding Avery in his arms was the best thing he’d ever done.

Chapter Thirteen

Cole’s lips on her skin made her feel alive again. His kisses sent delicious shivers down her spine as he found the delicate skin behind her ear then left a scorching trail back to her mouth. Oh, she wanted to be closer. This moment needed to last forever.

But it couldn’t. This was Cole. They were supposed to be in a professional relationship, not careening down a dangerous path like two reckless teenagers.

Not that she didn’t want to be a tiny bit reckless. He’d awakened something in her. A passion she hadn’t believed could be rekindled.

Reluctantly, she pulled back, her chest heaving.

His grin stretched wide, confirming he felt the same.

“Wow,” she whispered, tracing her fingertip along the outline of his swollen lip.

Cole groaned then captured her hand in his and delicately kissed each fingertip. He’d kissed her. What had he said? For a couple of decades he’d wanted to do that?

Why had he waited?

She surveyed his features, memorizing the curve of his mouth and the planes of his cheeks. The tone of his skin had transformed to a tawny shade in the gathering twilight. She’d known him for years, but tonight she saw him through a different lens. They’d launched out of the friend zone and catapulted straight into something more with that epic kiss.

Desire glittered in his eyes and she let her gaze drop to his mouth. They should talk. Map out a plan. Except she didn’t want to spoil the moment by labeling whatever this was sparking between them. She leaned in, brushing her lips against his. Going back for more. He splayed his hands on the small of her back and deepened the kiss. She let him, sliding her hand slowly up the curve of his bicep then squeezing. All her worries about co-parenting and expenses and finishing an intimidating project slipped away. Warmth exploded in her chest. He tasted faintly of chocolate with a tinge of salt. His affection for her breathed life into the wounded places of her heart. The parts of her that, if she was honest, still stung from Pax’s rejection.

Wait. Was she ready for this? Dating and romance and wow, she had her children to think about. Sure, this rollercoaster ride of emotions was fun and boy, could he kiss. But this was Cole. They’d joked about a relationship before, but should they really take this leap? Panic flooded in. She inched away, set her palms on his muscular chest then pressed gently, putting some much-needed space between them.

Cole frowned and he palmed the top of his head. “What’s wrong?”

---