Page 54 of Unhinged

“Thanks. Everyone seems to be pretty friendly,” Hannah replied.

“Have you met many of your neighbors?”

She shook her head. “Only a couple. I pretty much keep to myself.”

Luke nodded. “Where I grew up was mostly woods. We had almost twenty acres, and I knew it like the back of my hand. I spent every season hunting or fishing, building forts and putting up tree stands. My dad and I were always out just after midnight on Thanksgiving, ready for the first day of hunting season.”

She grinned. “I can see that. My parents would never dream of doing anything like that.”

He shrugged. “It’s not for everyone. It’s tedious and time-consuming, freezing your butt off fifteen feet in the air, trying not to move too much, just waiting for a buck to wander by.”

“Sounds cold and tiresome.”

“It can be. But the thrill of the hunt is what it’s all about.” He winked at her, and she arched an eyebrow.

“Is that what they call hunting these days? Sitting in a tree drinking coffee and just waiting for a deer to wander by?”

He narrowed his gaze, but the teasing smile didn’t leave her lips. “It’s a lot harder than it sounds.”

She lifted her hands in the air, fingers spread wide, her expression playful. “I’m just saying, it sounds pretty easy to me.”

“Oh yeah?” He took a small step toward her, and her arms dropped to her sides. “I don’t think you appreciate the extent of my tracking skills.”

“I…” Her eyes darted to the side, and she let out a shriek as he lunged forward. His fingers grazed the material of her robe as she sprinted toward the living room, her musical laughter filling the air. He caught up to her just as she reached the couch, wrapping his arms around her from behind. She wriggled like a worm on a hook, laughing and pleading incoherently as he hauled her against his chest.

“Who’s laughing now?” he teased.

Her head dropped back, and a peal of laughter filled the air. He took advantage of the position, kissing the exposed column of her neck. The laugh died in her throat, and a soft sigh escaped her lips as she turned to putty in his arms.

Luke set her on her feet, then spun her to face him. Her hair fell around her face in gentle waves, and her luminous gray eyes sparkled up at him, cheeks pink from exertion. The tingle of their chemistry ignited a fire inside him that shot sparks of awareness all the way down to his toes.

Why had he ever thought she was cold and unfeeling?

Hannah was soft and sweet, and she fit him perfectly, all soft curves to his hard planes of muscle. Cupping her chin in one hand, he watched her eyelids flutter closed as he traced the contour of her jaw with his thumb. He traced one finger along the slight point of her chin, over the curve of one cheek, up to the sculpted, winged eyebrow over her right eye.

Dipping his head, he captured her mouth with his. The kiss sent a flash of heat over his nerve endings, and he shuddered at the sensation. He tightened his hold, pulling her infinitesimally closer. He increased the pressure of the kiss, loving the taste of feel of her.

With a shaky inhale, Hannah pulled away. Her forehead dropped forward to rest on his chest, and Luke banded his arms around her lower back, holding her tight. He kissed the top of her head, stirring the wisps of hair there as he spoke. “Sorry, sweetheart.”

She shook her head. “It’s just…”

It was too much, too soon, and she needed reassurance that she could trust him. Last night had opened the door, but she still had a long way to go. Whether it took days or weeks or years—he wanted to be the one to guide her. He cupped the back of her head and tipped her slightly away, catching her gaze. “We’ve got plenty of time. Not gonna rush you.”

A sweet smile lifted the corners of her mouth. “Thank you.”

“Nothin’ to thank me for. But,” he dipped his head and searched her eyes, “I do want to see you again.”

“When?”

“Soon. Dinner tonight?”

Lower lip still caught between her teeth, she let out a soft exhalation and nodded. “Okay.”

“Good. I’ll pick you up around seven. Wear a dress.”

One sleek brow shot toward her hairline. “What do you think this is, 1950? Why do I have to wear a dress?”

“So I can check you out.”