Wild Men of Alaska Collection - By Helmer, Tiffinie Page 0,101

away summed it up.

“I like you, Cub.”

“Good. I like you too.”

“But I’m not good for you.” This was way too soon. What had she been thinking?

“Shouldn’t I be the one to decide that?”

“I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Ditto. By the way, I’m a fan of the movie Ghost too.” Cub said it in joking, but Gemma couldn’t help the shiver that slid over her.

“What is it?” he asked.

“Do you believe in the afterlife?”

“So, the deep part of the date has arrived.” He tried to steer the conversation back to the lightheartedness without success. “Okay, yes, I do.” He cleared his throat. “After my wife died, I felt her. She was there, holding my hand, helping me through the worst of my grief. It was so hard to realize that while I worked in Search and Rescue the one person who meant the most to me was beyond my ability to save.”

Why couldn’t she fall in love with this man? There was so much to love about Cub. And that was before adding in his amazing physique. How had he not been scooped up? Could it be that he’d been so in love with his wife that other women weren’t a consideration until now? How had he picked her to begin his journey back to the land of the living? Why couldn’t she have met him before Lucky, but then would that really have mattered? She knew Lucky would have stolen her heart regardless at what time in her life he’d appeared.

Where did that leave her?

“I have something to tell you.” Unable to stop herself, she let it all out. Everything. Ending with her heartache. Their ice cream melted and was forgotten by the time she’d finished filling him in on the craziness her life had become. Cub regarded her with rapt attention, his mouth partly open in awe.

“So this guy, this Dreamweaver, is real to you?”

She nodded, not believing that she’d really spilled her guts. What must he think of her now? A hot wave of embarrassment flooded her face.

He fell back in his chair, looking a bit stunned. “Really?”

“Yes, really.”

“Fascinating.” His brows lowered. “And you love this man?”

She nodded again.

“Well, aren’t we a pair?”

She choked on a laugh. “Got any advice?” Other than therapy, she silently added.

“Since I’m not one who is great at taking advice, I can’t really hand it out.”

Her laugh came much easier this time. “You really are something special, Cub.”

“Yeah, I get that all the time.” He motioned for their check. The waiter rushed right over to hand it to him, and Gemma realized they’d been talking a while. In fact, they were the last ones left in the restaurant.

Cub dropped enough cash on the table to cover the tab and leave a healthy tip. He helped her into her coat, his hand guiding her at the small of her back as they exited the restaurant. The ice was slick underneath their feet, and she slipped. He grabbed her arm, holding her close to him as they slipped and skated their way to Cub’s truck, laughing like children. She was suddenly very glad she hadn’t canceled.

Cub held the door open for her, and she turned before climbing in. “Thank you for dinner. I really enjoyed myself and hope that I didn’t dump too much on you.”

He glanced at her lips and then back to her eyes. “I’m the one who should be thanking you.” His thumb came up and caressed her bottom lip. Slowly, as though to give her enough time to move away, he leaned down to kiss her.

His lips settled softly on hers. They were slightly cold from the night air, but quickly heated as they moved against hers. Wisps of wanting surprised her with the desire to sink into him and forget.

What kind of woman could feel something like this for two separate men?

He moaned against her mouth, and the vibrations did funny things to her insides.

Last time she’d kissed Cub, Lucky had messed with the temperature in her house. Tonight, nothing. Could she be doing this because she wanted to evoke a response from Lucky? Cub’s response seemed to all be in working order.

“You’re drifting again.” He tilted his head up, his startling blue eyes searching hers. “Your Dreamweaver?”

“I’m conflicted.”

“So am I. Maybe we can try and move on together?”

Two emotionally taken people trying to make a relationship work? “At least we’re on the same page.”

Cub chuckled. “Let me take you home.” He helped her hike into the huge 4x4 truck,