Page 28 of Wild Promise

“You hungry?” he asked, guiding me toward the back exit.

“Not really. I had a late lunch. But give me a few hours and I’ll be starving.” I pressed my lips together before I could keep rambling. If I wasn’t careful, my mouth was going to get me into trouble.

Trouble like admitting I’d wasted an entire week dodging this date because the thought of being alone with him terrified me more than any overdue bill or angry client ever had. Or that I’d spent the last year fantasizing about him. My cheeks heated at the thought.

“Okay.” He smiled, holding the door as we stepped into the chill of the early evening. “Then I’ve got the perfect plan.”

A laugh slipped out before I could stop it. “You really weren’t kidding about making this up as you go.”

His arm hooked around my shoulders, drawing me gently to his side, and close enough for his breath to brush my ear. “I was really hoping to impress you, but I’m kind of new at this whole dating thing. So, can you please do me a favor and just play along, even if I screw it up?”

My heart stuttered.

He was trying to keep things light, but the sincerity underneath the teasing hit harder than the joke. Hard enough that instead of pulling away like I should’ve, I leaned into him even more, soaking up the warmth of his body against mine.

“Don’t worry. My last date took me to Rusty’s, so I shouldn’t be too hard to impress.”

His arm tightened around me. “Rusty’s Bar? What kind of idiot takes a woman like you to a dive like that?”

The sharp edge in his voice sent a spark of heat through me.

Was that a hint of jealousy?

God help me, I liked the sound of it. And even though this thing between us was temporary, that feeling was something I could get used to. A feeling I wished could last.

“It wasn’t a real date,” I said, smiling despite myself. “My friend Avery took me there for drinks last Saturday. We might have had a few too many.”

“That’s disappointing.” His voice dropped to a low, teasing rumble. “I was hoping you remembered our conversation that night. Or at least the part where you begged me to come over.”

Shit. There it was. The one topic I’d hoped to avoid. But instead of embarrassment clawing up my throat, something inside me loosened.

“I did not beg,” I choked out through a laugh.

“I’m pretty sure you did. I believe the exact words you used were, I want you to come over and I’m willing to beg.”

“No, I did not!” I argued, even though I remembered damn well that I had.

His laugh was bold and infectious. It traveled through me, burning away another layer of my resistance.

“It’s okay, it’ll be our little secret. I promise not to tell anyone how badly you want me.”

“Zane.” I nudged him in the side. “I was drunk.”

“Sure, I know.” He brushed a kiss against my temple before his lips grazed my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. “Doesn’t mean it wasn’t true, though.”

Damn him.

How was I supposed to survive an entire night with him when I was already fighting the urge to start begging again?

“I think we should keep alcohol off the menu tonight.” I pushed away from him and immediately felt the cold rush in to fill the space between us.

He let me go without protest, but reached out to take my hand, lacing our fingers together. “No alcohol,” he agreed. “I’m taking you on the official tour.”

“Tour? Of what?”

“Copper Ridge Resort.” He flashed me his gorgeous smile and winked. “I’ve got insider VIP access.”

“Um, Zane.” My pace slowed, and I tugged back on his hand as I scanned the area around us to see who might be watching. “I’m pretty sure I know about all our amenities…it’s kind of my job.”