Page 93 of Enticing Her Love

“No. I’m just wondering if that date is in lieu of our nights of debauchery?”

He cocked a grin. “What’s the matter, sweetheart? Suddenly the idea of using your toys alone isn’t quite as fulfilling as the real thing?”

“A lady never tells.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

FLYNN HAD BEEN hiking in Salvation Falls many times and had spent time in the town, but it felt different, more alive and interesting, being there on that sunny Saturday afternoon with Sutton. She was as enamored with the lake and the two-story brick shops, funky signs, and colorful murals on the sides of buildings as he was. They’d been there all morning, making their way through the shops along the main streets, chatting and holding hands. They stopped at Bite Me, the café he’d told her about, for lunch and shared a basket of sweet potato fries with their delicious sandwiches. Based on the smile that had taken up permanent residence on Sutton’s beautiful face as they walked out of the café, he knew getting out of town had been the right choice. It had taken them a little while to trust that they could be openly affectionate without worrying about work, but now it was second nature for both of them.

“I’m stuffed,” Sutton said as they reached for each other’s hands.

He leaned in for a kiss, loving having the freedom to do it and being able to look at her without second-guessing his own expression for the sake of others. “Too stuffed to hit the bookstore? It’s right around the corner.”

“I’m never too full to walk around a bookstore.”

As they headed down the street, the rumble and roar of motorcycles rang out, and a pack of them came over the hill. They watched as about two dozen bikers wearing black leather vests drove past.

“They’re Dark Knights, like Levi,” Sutton said excitedly.

“How can you tell?”

“They have the logo on the back of their cuts. Is there a chapter nearby?”

“Yeah. The Salvation Falls chapter has a huge presence here. They do a lot for veterans, kids, and the community as a whole.”

She tipped her chin up. “I like this place even more now. I’ll have to mention it to Levi.”

“Is there a chapter on the island?”

“No. He’s still a member of the Harborside chapter, so he goes back for their meetings. They’ve been a big part of his and Joey’s life. They helped him through some rough times.”

“From what I hear, they do that for a lot of people.”

They headed around the corner, and her eyes lit up the way he’d hoped they would when the sign for the bookstore that took up half the block, the Imaginarium, came into view.

“Now, that’s a bookstore,” she exclaimed. “Look at the sign. It’s gorgeous.” The sign was a work of art, with colorful flowers, funky houses, and long-limbed trees peppered with funny-looking animals and animated people reading in different positions.

“The same local artist who painted some of the murals on the buildings made it. Denver Whiskey. In fact, he’s a Dark Knight.”

“He’s really talented. I’ll have to ask Levi if he knows him.”

Flynn pulled open the door to the bookstore and followed her in.

Her gaze danced over the large number of displays, aisle after aisle of books and reading chairs and comfortable couches that formed conversation pits. “Did Denver paint those signs, too?” She pointed to the elaborate signs hanging above each aisle, indicating the genres shelved there. They featured the same style of people and animals as the sign out front.

“Yeah. Pretty cool, huh?”

“They’re so fun. I bet they have a great kids’ section here. Maybe I can find something for Joey and Hadley to take with me next weekend.”

“How old are they again?”

“Joey is nine going on twelve, and Hadley is four and wants to be a writer, just like Jock.”

“That’s wicked cute.”

“They both are.” She smiled up at him. “You might be in trouble. I could spend all afternoon here.”

“That’s just one more reason we’re so good together. Go. Shop to your hearts’ content. We’ll find each other by nightfall.”