Page 59 of Against The Tide

“Do you like him?” Iris asks excitedly, running to where I’m standing with a small pink rose pushed into her bun. “Isn’t he cute? He is, isn’t he? And he brought you the flower from Doc.”

I look beyond her to find Rhett standing by his Jag, parked behind Jo’s pickup, too perfectly hidden away because I had no idea he’d returned after leaving early this morning. Last night was the first time I’ve slept with another man beside me in eight years, and it was wonderful.

“The rose is for you, Mommy.” Iris takes it from the miniature horse and holds it up to me. “It’s red for love. Pretty, right?”

Taking it from her, I twirl it between my fingers, unable to conceal my happiness and the warmth that’s filling me.

“She’s beautiful,” Rhett murmurs beside me, tipping my chin up so that our gazes meet. “It’s not a date unless you bring a girl flowers, right, champ?”

“Right,” she squeals excitedly beside us, jumping up and down in my peripheral vision.

It’s probably the worst moment to get emotional and teary. I know it is, but the gesture is sweet and cheesy all at once. My lungs pinch with how full my chest feels.

“I needed this. Thank you.” He doesn’t realize how this small surprise has helped me compartmentalize all the issues going around my head. All this talk of time, and really everything that I’ve always wanted is right in front of me right here and now.

“I want to make you happy, sunshine, and I know that you need time, but I’m not giving up. Today, tomorrow, next week, month, or year, I’m still going to be here. Wanting and needing you.”

“The here and now is pretty damn great, Doc.”

I focus on the way his entire demeanour practically lights up. Everything about him is so striking. The sharp lines of his jaw that are softened by his pink lips and golden stubble taunt my fingertips. The depth of his stare makes me want to free-fall into him.

“It is, huh?”

We’re so close, and every cell of my being is yearning for his kiss as his eyes shine into mine. Bright, warm tropical waters that soothe over every broken inch of my soul, making me forget that my heart has ever been crushed.

“You know”—Iris taps his arm—“you can kiss my mommy. I saw you do it already.”

With a deep guffaw, Rhett plants a kiss on my forehead and each of my cheeks, whispering into my ear as she carries on squealing beside us, “I’ll keep it PG for now.”

“Good idea,” she replies, sending us all into a fit of laughter.

“What do you think?” Rhett sits beside me on the picnic blanket while Iris paddles in the shallow stream.

“It’s a stunning view.”

Without looking away from him, I lean closer. I want him to kiss me again. The feel of his tongue licking over mine is addictive, and I’m salivating at the mere memory of it.

The sound of my heart thrums in my ears as he smiles down on me, doubling up its pace when he meets me in the middle, his lips brushing mine with an audible hum that vibrates through me.

“Are you flirting with me?”

“Is it working?”

There’s no point in denying it, and besides, he’s always been honest with me, up-front and straightforward in his intentions. It’s what makes it so difficult to keep Rhett at a distance. There are no games or duplicitous designs.

“What do you think?”

“I think I’m out of practice and breaking a sweat.”

“Avery, Avery…Avery, think about it this way, I brought you here because I want to spend more time with you. I want to get to know you in every possible way because to me you are a strong, intelligent, and gorgeous woman.”

He kisses me softly and briefly, then pulls back, staring into my eyes. There’s no other choice other than to believe every word he whispers, because it’s all there is in his gaze. He looks at me with awe and want, and I feel it deep inside me. A flame licking at my insides. I’ve never yearned for the physical touch of words as I do for Rhett’s. It’s a nonsensical need that is completely out of my control.

“You’re an unexpected possibility I didn’t see coming, and every moment I spend with you, I want more. I’m always going to want more when it comes to you, sweetheart.”

“What if one day you don’t?” It’s the one thing that keeps plaguing me, even when all I want is to live in the moment with him.

“That’s never going to happen.” He presses a kiss to my head. “The only thing I ask is that you trust me, Avery.”