Page 53 of Secrets Hidden In The Glass

Chapter Twelve

Nate drove toward the cottage while the cool breeze blew in through his half-open window. He kept Callie’s hand in his as he slowed on Route 1 and turned right, starting down the dirt road. Glancing her way, he met her gaze in the lights from the dashboard and smiled. “Thanks for coming tonight.”

She smiled back. “Thanks for the invitation. I had a lot of fun.”

“Good.” Within moments, he was approaching the cottage and easing to a stop along the edge of the crushed seashell driveway. “I believe this is your stop.”

“Yes, it is.” She took off her seat belt. “Thank you again for a great evening.”

“You’re welcome.” Getting out before she could, he moved to her side of the vehicle and opened her door.

She smiled as she stepped out. “Such a gentleman.”

“Yeah,” he said with a shrug and took her hand. “I do what I can.”

She laughed as they walked the short path to the front door and stopped in the dim porch light. “Are you sure you don’t want to come in for dessert? I washed a whole container of fresh raspberries before you picked me up this morning.”

He wanted so much more from Callie than a bowl of fruit and frozen yogurt. “It’s tempting, but how about next time?”

She nodded. “Sure.”

He settled his hands on her hips and nudged her closer. “How about dinner tomorrow night? I’m on call but we can try to make something work.”

She rested her palms on his triceps, much like she had when they stood under Molly’s awning in the pouring rain. “All right.”

“We can eat in or go out.” He pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. “Whatever you want.”

“Maybe I can cook for you this time.”

“Sounds great.” He eased in again, lingering and savoring her taste. “I should get going,” he murmured against her lips.

She let her hands wander to his shoulders as they held each other’s gazes and breathed each other’s breath. “Okay.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said, even as he came back for more, instantly taking them deeper.

She moaned and opened her mouth wider, playing her tongue with his as she locked her arms around the back of his neck.

He gripped her shirt, struggling to remember that he needed to do the right thing and walk away. But his resolve started to crumble when she made another sound in her throat and she pushed herself closer, crushing her breasts against his chest. Groaning, he clutched her ass, giving her small, firm cheeks a good squeeze. “Callie, what are we doing here? Because I don’t want to rush you.”

Her breath trembled in and out as she looked at him. “You don’t have to go.”

He studied her rosy cheeks and lips slightly swollen from his as he slid his hands up her back. “Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.” She moved to unlock her door and stopped with the key in the lock. “I don’t have any condoms.”

Thank Christ he did. “Do you want to come to my place? I’m home all night. No interruptions.”

She pulled the key from the lock and pocketed it. “All right.”

“You’re sure?” he asked again.

She gave him a decisive nod. “Positively.”

This was actually happening. He walked with her back to the Tahoe and got in as she did. Putting the vehicle into gear, he accelerated, drove the few dozen yards to his driveway, and pulled into his spot by the house. As he killed the lights and engine and met Callie by the grill, he realized he was nervous. “I wish I had wine or something other than those ugly emergency candles.”

“I don’t need wine and candles.”

But he wanted to give them to her. He’d had women in his bed since the divorce, but they hadn’t been important—not like Callie. “Ambiance never sucks.”