Chapter 7 #3
“I don’t know, Milo. This is all just a little too familiar to me, unfortunately. And I can’t help how I feel. This is like…very triggering for me.”
Another curse. “I’m really sorry. I thought Lexi and Maisie knew you better, and I’m kind of offended that they didn’t take any of that into consideration.”
And still another curse.
“Milo, it’s…”
“No, this is completely unacceptable. I was already so nervous about tonight and just wanted to do everything right, and because I listened to other people, everything’s wrong.
I…I’m really sorry. Let’s just do this another time.
Up at the lodge. No pressure. Not that there was any pressure tonight.
I just wanted us to get to know each other, and now you think I’m a perv who was just trying to get you alone.
” He groaned. “I swear I’m going to strangle Connor when I see him. ”
“Connor? I thought you said you talked to Lexi and Maisie.”
“I did, but then Connor came in to ask about the menu. Scott mentioned how much you liked the salmon, so I think that’s what they’re all planning, and…”
“Wait,” she interrupted. “How many people did you talk to about this?”
“Just the three of them. But I have no idea how many people they talked to. All I did was make the reservation, and somehow everyone figured it out. Again, I am so sorry.” He raked a hand through his hair before turning and motioning back to their cabins.
“I’ll walk you home. Or…or you probably want to eat so I can walk you up to the lodge and then I’ll leave you alone. ”
He looked and sounded positively miserable.
And for some reason, that was wildly reassuring.
“What was your plan before you talked to Lexi and Maisie?” she asked because her curiosity was mildly piqued.
“Just like I told you earlier—dinner up at the lodge and then you mentioned the whole moonlight paddle thing. That’s it. I swear.” He held up his hands like he was surrendering.
Everything about this really could’ve sent her over the edge if it were anyone else.
But if there was one thing she’d learned about Milo Keene since coming to work at the resort it was that he was possibly one of the most trustworthy guys around.
Plus, apparently everyone knew where she was and who she was with.
“Is the food already in the cabin? Is it getting cold?”
He shook his head. “Um…no. Connor’s due to arrive any minute to start cooking. He said he wanted to prepare it fresh for us or something, so…”
At that point, it was a no-brainer. This wasn’t a creepy setup. Nothing bad was going to happen. And they weren’t going to be alone for part of the night, so…
Reaching for his hand, she whispered, “Don’t make me regret this.”
His dark eyes went wide right before he gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “Never.” That gruff and tortured voice was enough to make her heart skip a beat.
Then they walked silently along the path, around the bend, and ended up at a cabin she thought belonged to one of the other owners.
“This is Jayce and Kelsey’s place. They’re the reason the resort got reopened.”
“Wow, really? I thought you and the guys just decided to take it over from Walker’s grandparents. Am I missing something?”
He stepped onto the porch and opened the door for her. “I’ll tell you all about it over dinner.”
Nora stepped inside and froze.
Music was softly playing, there were twinkly lights woven through the rafters, and there were flowers and candles everywhere.
It was the most romantic setting she’d ever seen.
“Oh my goodness…” Slowly, she moved farther into the room.
It was like a fairy wonderland. She’d never considered herself a whimsical person, but that’s what this felt like: romantic and whimsical and so damn perfect that she almost felt overwhelmed by it all.
Behind her, Milo stood unmoving.
When she turned to him, she felt suddenly shy. “This is…amazing. I…thank you. This is probably the nicest place I’ve ever seen.”
“Maisie promised to make it look nice,” he said quietly. “I wanted it to look nice for you. For us.”
Oh, wow…she could feel herself falling hard and fast, and it didn’t freak her out.
“Mission accomplished,” she said, and they both laughed nervously, probably because this was so new and a little strange considering their previous interactions.
Then they weren’t laughing. The moment felt warm and a little charged, like suddenly it occurred to her they were alone in this very romantic setting. She caught his gaze lingering on her lips, and her pulse raced.
The kiss.
Instantly, her mind went back to the kiss. It was brief but powerful, and she almost wished he would do it again so she could know what it felt like when he was fully aware of what he was doing. Would it be soft? Needy? Seductive?
Would his arms go around her so he could pull her in close?
But more than anything, she wanted to know what she would do this time as a willing participant.
So many questions.
Unwittingly, her gaze went to his lips, and it was on the tip of her tongue to almost demand that he kiss her.
As if reading her mind, Milo took a tentative step closer, and then another until they were toe to toe.
“Please don’t be angry, but…this has been on my mind since you told me about…
you know…my kissing you, and you have no idea how much it’s killing me that I can’t remember.
” He paused, one strong hand reaching up and caressing her cheek. “So…please, Nora. May I kiss you?”
She swallowed hard even as she eagerly nodded, because honestly, it was all she’d been thinking about too.
And then he touched his lips to hers, and she simply stopped thinking and let herself feel.