Page 17 of Iggy

Olive’s skin flamed red. She could feel the heat of embarrassment creeping up her neck and set her fork down on the plate.

“Th-thank you,” she whispered. “I didn’t mean to cut myself down. That wasn’t my intention. I’m not used to being around men my age. Men who are interested in me.”

“But there are a lot of men here,” he frowned. “Are you telling me that none of the guys you went to school with ever asked you out?”

“Yes. I mean, they did. But you have to remember we were all raised like brothers and sisters. I never thought of guys like Grayson as anything but an older brother or cousin.”

“But he’s not,” said Iggy with a grin. “None of them are. So, you’ve never dated anyone? Have you ever…”

“No! No, no, don’t say it,” she said taking another bite from her plate. “I know I’m old to not have had an intimate relationship. I dated a few guys in college but it never felt right. They were nice, friendly, and we had fun when we were together but I couldn’t see myself with them long-term.”

“I understand that,” said Iggy nodding. “I had a few serious girlfriends but most couldn’t handle the life of a Marine being deployed. One was only interested in what I could give her, as long as I wasn’t around.”

“What do you mean?” asked Olive with a serious expression.

“She wanted me to give her a credit card to use while I was deployed,” he chuckled. “Thank goodness I’m not an idiot.”

“What a horrible woman!” said Olive. When her dinner was finished, she pushed the plate aside and yawned.

“You’ve had a long day,” said Iggy. “Let me walk you to your cottage.”

Olive nodded, taking his hand as he led the way, as slowly as he could, toward her cottage.

“Why are we walking so slow?” she asked.

“I’m trying to make this evening last longer,” he grinned. “I’m sorry. I just don’t want it to end.”

Olive stopped him and turned looking up at him. She’d never met a man so handsome, so solid, and so perfect to be around.

“We can walk as slowly as you want to. Maybe. Maybe we could sit out on the porch for a while and just hold one another.”

“I think that’s perfect.”

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Iggy jerked awake, Olive still sleeping in his arms on the porch swing. He looked at his watch and was shocked to see it was well past time to get up. Or at least it was according to his routine. He immediately knew why he’d slept so late.

One, was that he held the woman he’d been dreaming about for weeks in his arms. She was breathing softly, clutching his middle as if he were a life raft on the Titanic.

And two, was that the sky was dark and ominous, as if a storm were coming on fast. And it was.

“Mmmm,” hummed Olive. “Morning.”

“Morning,” said Iggy kissing her sweetly.

“That was the best night’s sleep I’ve had in years,” she smiled. “But I bet you’re sore from sitting like that all night.”

“I’m fine,” he said grinning. “Having you in my arms is exactly where I wanted to be.”

“Well, if it makes you feel better, you are the most comfortable pillow I’ve ever owned.” He laughed and she gasped. “Not owned! I didn’t mean that. I mean, I meant to say…”

“Stop,” he said kissing her again. “You own me, Olive. Whether you know it or not. You own me. Body and soul.”

“I’d rather own your heart,” she grinned.

“That too,” he chuckled. “Why don’t you shower and change and I’ll do the same. I’ll meet you back here in thirty minutes. We’ll grab some breakfast and then have a better idea of where we are today.”

“It looks like terrible weather,” frowned Olive. “Will this slow things down?”