Knights from Harborside joined them as they continued their afternoon motorcycle ride. They drove out of Harborside and through other nearby towns, but her favorite part was cruising along the roads that ran parallel to the water. The group stopped at a roadside café for dinner, taking up every open table and booth.
By the time they arrived back at Chloe’s cottage, the sun was starting to set. She felt like she’d lived a month in the past twenty-four hours, and she couldn’t wait to do it again.
They walked slowly up to the door arm in arm.
“I had such a good time,” she said as they stepped onto the porch. “Everyone is so different than I imagined. I’m glad I got to know them better. Zeke told me that he used to teach special education, and he told me how he lost his job. I had no idea. I thought he’d always worked with your father.”
“He’s a smart guy, and an excellent teacher. He still tutors kids.”
“He told me. I really like him. Did you know that Dwayne called Sid to check on Snowflake while we were at dinner? I never would have imagined him doing that, unless he was really calling because he has a thing for Sid.”
“I don’t think it’s Sid. He called Steph while we were at the Taproom. She was helping Sid at the rescue today. He cares about the animals.”
She dug out her keys, and as she unlocked the door she said, “So do you. I heard you asking Baz about Shadow over dinner.”
He drew her into his arms with a longing expression. She went eagerly. It was the only place she wanted to be. “I don’t want to say goodbye to you, Chloe.”
“Then don’t,” she said softly.
His lips curved up. He touched them to hers and whispered, “What have you done to me?”
“When you figure it out, let me know, because I don’t want to say goodbye, either.”
“Then come home with me tonight. Grab whatever you need for work tomorrow and stay at my place. We’ll go for a walk by the pond, or watch television, or make love in the moonlight. I don’t care what we do. I just want to be with you.”
A warm glow of happiness flowed through her. “Okay. I need to get my laptop to check the book club forums because I just announced the new book and there will be questions. And I want to bring my photo printer. I got great shots of everyone, and I was able to sneak pictures of their hands. I can’t wait for you to see them. Oh, and I got a couple cute shots of Levi and Joey together and of Joey and her uncles—Levi’s cousins Jesse and Brent, and the other guys, of course—that I want to include when I send her the picture of the two of you. I think I’ll make her a little album.”
“She’d love that, baby. I like your nervous ramblings.” He kissed her again, slow and sweet. “Bring whatever you need. In fact, bring enough clothes for two days.”
“Isn’t it a little soon for that?” she asked, and immediately regretted it. She’d said what she thought she should say, climbing right back into that restrictive, safe skin she’d so happily shed earlier today.
Before she could take it back, he said, “I’ve waited so long to be with you, darlin’, as far as I’m concerned, nothing is too fast.”
Chapter Fifteen
CHLOE AWOKE MONDAY morning cocooned by Justin’s hard body. Very hard, she mused, feeling his erection against her ass as he spooned her. And then it hit her. It was a workday, and she wasn’t starting it in her cottage. That was a first, and it was a big deal. A huge deal. It was the mother of all deals. Her nerves tingled, and she quickly ran through a mental checklist to see if she forgot to bring anything that she needed for work. She closed her eyes, relieved she hadn’t forgotten anything, and tried to calm her jitters. She took stock of her emotions, searching for the discomfort of regret or fear, but they were nowhere to be found. There was only happiness. She reminded herself it was okay to feel jittery about staying there on a work night and allowed herself to revel in the moment. Her hand lay over Justin’s on her belly, and his breath warmed her shoulder. Her gaze moved to her bag by the bedroom door, where all her belongings had been