bidder was a sensitive topic indeed. One he’d prefer to avoid for the remainder of the night.
“Is something wrong?”
The question—spoken in Justine’s sultry voice—took Burke by surprise. He’d been staring blankly at the salad before him, not even seeing it really. But at her question, the spring lettuce came into sharp focus. Burke looked across the table to catch Justine’s inquisitive gaze.
“Are you worried about playing my fiancé tomorrow? With my granddad?”
He nodded with a little too much enthusiasm. “I think we better solidify our story.”
“You’re right.” Justine pierced a heap of greens with her fork, lifted it to her lips, then paused. “But first, let’s get one thing settled. You agree that Piney Falls is an exceptional place that should be preserved in its current state. Right?”
He forced out a nod. “Right.”
“Thank you.” An easy grin took over her face. “I can get passionate about things.”
He’d noticed that. “I kind of like that about you,” he admitted.
Justine’s eyes went wide, and her face flushed a warm shade of pink. “Hmm.” A tiny chuckle snuck from her tight lips as she tucked a curly blonde lock behind one ear.
He did like her passion; he liked it more when that passion wasn’t aimed at hating something he did for a living.
“Burke?”
Heat stirred in his belly at the sound of his name on her lips. The pleading look in her eyes as she tilted her head in question.
“Yes?”
“Do you think I’m horrible for lying to him? I just…I think it would hurt him worse to know that I lied, you know? That I got desperate enough to stop him that I’d concocted some tall tale…” She shook her head. “It’ll hurt him if he finds out. That’s why I’d rather just...avoid it.”
Burke nodded. “That makes sense.” Did it ever. He was doing a similar thing himself; what Justine didn’t know about the property, in this case, wouldn’t hurt her. “And no,” he added. “I don’t think you’re horrible at all.”
Her expression shifted, easing into a soft and beautiful smile. “Thanks.”
And as Burke returned that smile, considering the heap of trouble this could summon, one question ran through his mind. Just what had he gotten himself into?
Chapter 10
If there was a contest for most unique and unsuspected date, this one should be in the running. Sure, Justine mused as they pulled into her driveway, she and Burke had gone to dinner—nothing unique there. It had more to do with the circumstance surrounding the date. And the bulk of their conversation, which was arranging details to support the hoax of their engagement.
“Thanks again for dinner,” she said as he slowed the car to a stop in her driveway. Her porch light flicked on, illuminating the space between them as she unbuckled her belt.
Burke did the same. “My pleasure. I’ll, um…” He nodded her way. “Get your door.” With that, he cranked open the driver’s side and stepped out. Once his door was closed, Justine’s mind shot back to the moment they’d shared on the rooftop. She’d cuddled up to him, inhaled the scent of his heavenly cologne, and enjoyed his touch as he warmed her arms with his masculine hands.
There’d been an instant, just before the waiter announced himself, that Justine sensed he might kiss her, but she couldn’t be sure.
Her door creaked open, and Burke offered his hand. “Thanks.” She curled her fingers around Burke’s jacket where it rested over her shoulders as she took his hand.
Once Burke closed the passenger door behind them, he offered his muscular arm as if he’d done it a million times. The truth was, Justine had taken hold of that arm a few times now. She did so again, careful to keep his jacket from falling. It felt nice. Familiar. And oddly right.
Stop. It’s wishful thinking, Justine. And maybe it was, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t give in to it for a while, did it? Burke was caring, interesting, and sensitive. And they had something in common where family was concerned. That is, that neither had a lot of family to speak of. And lastly, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt a spark of romance. The sensations were powerful, euphoric even, and she wanted more than that tiny taste on the rooftop.
“Well,” Burke said at the top porch step. “I think we’re all set for tomorrow night.”
Justine released his arm and turned to face him, feeling shy suddenly. “Yeah, I think so.” She nodded.
So did he.
Say goodnight, Justine, before it gets awkward. “Thanks for