His face slowly came into focus as if she’d blacked out or something. Maybe she had. She was delighted, at least, to see that he looked as flustered as she felt. His heavy-lidded gaze, flushed cheeks, and ardent expression made her want to grab some seconds.
But he was easing away, putting space between them. Only inches, but it felt like miles as cool air rushed between them. She instantly missed the feel of him against her.
The look on his face shifted, making her remember the way he’d kept her at a distance when they’d met—had it really only been ten days ago? Anxiety squirmed into her heart like a worm into an apple. Did he regret the kiss? He’d just turned her entire world upside down with his mouth.
“I didn’t intend to do that.”
“Don’t you dare say you’re sorry, Wyatt.”
He stared at her for a long minute in that inscrutable way of his.
She steeled herself for his rejection. Braced herself for the hurt that would follow.
“Go out with me.”
She blinked. Okay, she hadn’t seen that coming. “You aren’t seeing enough of me now?”
He drew his knuckle down her cheek, leaving a wake of warmth. “No.”
She could point out that he was only visiting Bluebell. That he had a life that was far away. That she was tied up here. But she couldn’t even think past the feel of his touch.
“So, on this proposed date . . . Where would you take me?” As if that would factor in at all.
His mouth twisted into a smirk. “Not putt-putting.”
She tilted her head at him.
His gaze roamed over her face as if searching for something. “I think I’ll surprise you.”
“You seem to be very good at that so far.”
“Are you free tomorrow night?”
“I have a dress fitting for my brother’s wedding at three, but I’m free after that.”
“When’s the wedding?”
“A week from Saturday. Levi’s fiancée flies into town tomorrow, and I should go ahead and warn you that it’s Mia Emerson.”
“Who’s that?”
Grace blinked at him. “Mia Emerson, the actress.”
He shook his head.
“Into the Deep? Twelve Hours? Lesser Days?”
“I’m more of a reader, I guess.”
“But the wedding’s top secret, because . . . paparazzi, so you have to keep it under your hat.”
“Paparazzi, top secret, got it. You know, we’re getting way off subject here. So, tomorrow night . . . Six o’clock work for you?”
“Tomorrow night, six o’clock.”
“It’s a date then.” His lips lifted in a grin, then he eyed her wound. “Now we’d better get that knee patched up.”
* * *
Darkness pressed in, the moonlight glowing dimly through the curtains in Wyatt’s room. Somewhere on the lake a boat’s motor hummed as it passed by. What were they doing on the water past midnight?
He turned on the mattress, the bed squeaking in a familiar way. Sleep wasn’t coming again tonight, but this time the blame fell on Grace.
The hike had been unsuccessful in one sense but highly productive in another. He hadn’t been lying when he told her he hadn’t planned the kiss. Conversely, he’d had every intention of keeping their relationship platonic for all the reasons he’d focused on since his arrival.
But sometimes a man just had to go with his gut. It didn’t make sense, Grace and him. But he’d never clicked with a woman the way he clicked with Grace.
And that kiss had all but sealed his fate.
He loved that she hadn’t tried to hide what she felt. She was so responsive, so genuine. Her ragged breath. That needy little gasp. The way her fingers tightened in his hair until his scalp stung. Like she was as surprised as he, as helpless as he, against the rising tide of want.
How could he shut it down after that kiss? How could he give up something he hadn’t known he’d needed until the moment his lips were on hers? He wasn’t one to throw caution to the wind, but he was going to spend time with Grace. He was going to know what made her tick. And he was going to kiss her again.
After bandaging her knee they’d returned to the business of hiking, and he hadn’t kissed her again. As quickly as that first one had taken off, he decided he’d better slow things down.
Being with Grace soothed his soul. Thinking of Grace was like floating on water. Relaxing. Tranquil. Wyatt’s weight sank into the mattress, his eyes growing heavy as thoughts of Grace consumed him. And when he finally fell asleep, the nightmares didn’t come.