He’s tender, gentle, as his lips sweep over my own to the other corner to tease and tempt some more.

I sigh as he brushes his nose over the tip of my own, then he sinks into me, his lips moving over me in the sweetest dance I’ve ever experienced. His tongue brushes over my lips, then slips inside my mouth, not to plunder but to simply tease and slide across my own.

All too soon, he backs away. I open my eyes to find his gray ones on fire. We’re both breathing hard, and in this moment, I want nothing more than for him to strip me bare and take me right here on the couch.

But instead, he pulls me into his arms and holds me close, kissing my hair. “You taste better than I imagined.” His hand caresses my back as he supports me against him, and we sit here, watching the fire.

“So do you,” I reply softly.

His hand stills for a moment, then resumes its journey across my back.

“You’re not staying the night,” I inform him sternly.

“No, but I’ll stay until you fall asleep.”

I lean back to look at him, pulling my fingertips down his cheek. “You don’t have to do that.”

He pulls my fingers to his lips and kisses each one in turn. “It’s my pleasure, sweetheart.”

He tucks me under his chin, and we sit in silence. I don’t want to fall asleep. I want to stay here in his arms, fully aware of him holding me, for as long as possible.

I’m not convinced this isn’t a dream brought on by a caffeine crash and too much work.

Ty continues to caress my back and plant small kisses on my head until the warmth of the fire and wine lull me into a deep sleep.

I am not a morning person. Early-morning swim training during high school and college just about killed me. I’m a firm believer that nothing should ever happen before 9:00 a.m..

Ever.

I moan as I turn onto my back and realize that I’m on the couch, covered in the brown blanket from my office. I grin, brush my hair off my face, and stare sleepily at the ceiling, remembering my evening with Ty.

It was . . . surprising.

I can’t believe I told him about the books. I haven’t told anyone I know in fear of its getting back to Jack, giving him a whole new set of reasons to freak out and come after me for more money. Only my agent, publisher, and Cary know about my success as an author.

I can’t explain why it was so easy to confide in Ty, except that I was still deep in a writing fog and he exudes safety. Confidence.

I naturally trust him, and that alone is enough to put me on edge because trust isn’t something I’ve ever given easily.

I sit up and toss the blanket aside, finding a note on the nearby ottoman.

Lo,

I hope you slept well. Thank you for letting me stay. Next time, you’ll be waking up in my arms rather than to a damn note.

Ty

I fold the note with a grin and then make my way upstairs to pull on some jeans and a long-sleeved shirt, along with a green scarf to ward off the early-fall chill. If I’m going to be productive today at all, and I need to be with a deadline looming in just three weeks, I will need coffee.

The kind with chocolate and sugar, all in a really, really tall cup.

A smile hovers on my lips as I drive to the café in the heart of downtown. Drips & Sips is an early-morning hot spot in Cunningham Falls. Businesspeople stop in for pastries and drinks on their way to work, and others hold meetings or just pop in to sit and read the newspaper while they enjoy their coffee.

Things are in full swing when I saunter inside to the smell of freshly baked muffins and coffee. Just the scent of the place energizes me.

“Hey, Lauren.” Cara Donovan is smiling widely as she joins me in line.

“Hey, Cara. How are you?” I grin back at her, but keep my walls firmly in place. Cara is a nice girl, but we don’t exactly run in the same circles.

“I’m good. I thought I’d grab coffee before heading to the grocery store.” Cara is a beautiful woman. She’s much shorter than me, with pretty blond hair and hazel eyes. She and I grew up together. “Want to join me?” she asks, surprising me.

“Oh, I don’t want to intrude,” I murmur.

“Trust me, I’d love some company.” Cara laughs as we approach the barista to order our drinks. “Now that I’m living with all those guys out at the ranch, I welcome girl talk whenever I can get it.”

“How are things going out there?” I ask after we gather our drinks and pastries and make our way to an empty table by the window. Cara moved out to the Lazy K Ranch with Josh roughly two months ago.

“Good.” She takes a bite of her huckleberry scone and sighs in happiness. “How are you?”

“I’m fine.” I hesitate, then decide to forge ahead. “Cara, I’d like to clear the air.”

“About what?” she asks, surprised.

“Well, I just want you to know that I’m sorry for all the hell Misty put you through when you were first dating Josh.” I frown as I fiddle with my fork, not meeting Cara’s gaze. “You didn’t deserve that.”

“Lauren, you have absolutely nothing to apologize for.” Cara rests her hand on my arm. “Misty’s a bitch. It doesn’t make you one.”

I shake my head in frustration. “Well, she’s certainly not my friend anymore.”

“Why was she your friend in the first place?” Cara takes a sip of her coffee.

“She really wasn’t. She and Sunny work together, and Sunny’s my cousin, so it’s always felt natural to hang out with her.” I shrug, not sure how to explain my poor choice in friends further.