Chapter 16

“Where are we going?” Hayley’s voice was still husky as Daniel led her out of the wedding tent. She shivered as they emerged into the evening air, and he wished he’d thought to grab his tux jacket on the way out. Instead, he put his arm around her, almost before he realized he was doing so.

“Trust me.”

“Said the serial killer to the innocent wedding guest.”

Daniel laughed and squeezed her shoulder. “There’s a nice spot down by the river. We can watch the moon come up.”

He saw her gulp at his last word, and fought the urge to do so himself. What was he doing? Hayley’d been right. They’d been much safer in that tent, on the dance floor, with two hundred people milling around. Out here, away from everyone else’s eyes, chased by the heat they’d just generated with one dance, it could be very, very dangerous.

He’d had every intention of staying on the fringes at the reception, doing his part as a groomsman and keeping track of Bryn and Gracie, but he most certainly hadn’t been planning to share a slow, hot dance with a woman he hadn’t managed to unglue his eyes from since she’d walked down the aisle in that ridiculous dress earlier.

Oh, who was he kidding?

He hadn’t stopped thinking about her since she’d rolled up in Decker’s truck a week ago and flashed her mermaid eyes and wide smile his way.

At Kyla and Decker’s ceremony he’d fully expected her to be glib and happy, so when he’d seen tears form in her eyes, and a longing expression on her face, it had rocked him.

And then dinner. She’d sat at the other end of the table looking ridiculously gorgeous, even with that strange excuse for a bridesmaid dress on. He’d practically had to tie himself to his chair when he realized he was hardly the only one tracking her whereabouts. There was more than one rodeo-Joe in the crowd with designs on getting her on the dance floor—or elsewhere, and it had really shaken him up when he’d realized how much he didn’t want to see that happen.

It must be because she was special to Decker and Cole and Kyla. Definitely. This protective instinct that had appeared out of nowhere had nothing to do with feeling…something for her. And this—this feeling that had nothing to do with protective anything as he held her lithe body in his arms? This was something he barely even recognized anymore.

But God knew he liked it.

And that was the scariest part of all.

“So this twilight walk to Whisper Creek. It’s the just-platonic-friends edition, right? We’re all done with the pretend-adoring thing?” Her eyes were mischievous as she looked up.

“Something like that.”

He steered her off the cabin path and downhill through the pines toward where the creek meandered through the property. He hadn’t walked the land in a long time, but if memory served, there was a little gazebo built on the bank, down past the guest cabins. It was a perfect place for…air.

Yes, air.

Or talking. Talking might be good at this point.

“I hear water,” Hayley said as they came through the edge of the pines. “You don’t have a secret skinny-dipping plan, do you?”

Daniel laughed tightly, trying not to picture what she’d look like naked, droplets of water sliding down her body. She pulled at the waist of her dress, winking. “After all, I’ve made no secret of how badly I want out of this dress.”

He rolled his eyes and groaned. “Don’t do that.”

“What?” She made her eyes go all innocent and wide.

They came to the edge of a slope and spotted the gazebo, painted white and strung with tiny white lights. Hayley sighed and grabbed his hand as they started down toward it, then let go suddenly, as if just realizing she’d done so.

“Wow. It’s beautiful.”

They got to the gazebo and stopped, both of them gaping at it. Someone had painted it a crisp white, then strung those little white Christmas lights all over it. It looked like a picture out of some fancy landscaping magazine now, tiny lights reflecting in the water as the dusk settled around them.

Hayley cleared her throat carefully. “It’s very…romantic.”

“I had no idea it looked like this now. Really.”

She smiled as she stepped up into the gazebo and leaned over the far railing, looking at the water pouring over the boulders below. “This might possibly be my new favorite spot at Whisper Creek.”

Daniel watched her from behind as she braced herself on the railing and let the breeze caress her face and ruffle her hair. The moon had just risen across the creek, and through the silky layers of her dress, he could see the outline of her body, making his ache in response.

“This is definitely good air.” Hayley nodded and smiled back at him. “Want some?” She wafted her hands his way.

Daniel stepped toward her, knowing he shouldn’t. He leaned against the railing beside her, trying to look at the moon instead of her profile. Trying to keep his hands locked on the wood so he wouldn’t bury them in her long curls. He was too close. He knew it. But he couldn’t seem to back away. He was playing with fire, and damn, he was about to get burned.

“So.” Her voice was shaky. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a moonrise. It’s beautiful. Truly.”

“Just part of my gallant-groomsman repertoire.”

He was close enough to hear her breath catch, could almost swear he could feel her pulse race, though he wasn’t actually touching her. He had to back off. Now. Before he acted on impulse and did something they’d both regret.

Instead he pushed away from the railing and found his hand sliding its way into her hair before he could stop himself. It was so silky, so soft. He raised his other hand, ran it along her jawline, buried it into her hair, watched as her eyes closed at the touch of his fingertips.

Her hands came up between them, fisted, but as he leaned down and kissed each of her eyelids, he felt her fingers loosen, felt her palms spread and trace his chest exquisitely, painfully slowly. His thumbs caressed her jaw, edging closer and closer to her lips, and he could feel her pulse flipping as her breaths came shorter and shorter.

“Daniel?” Her voice was barely audible, a whisper through swollen lips.

He leaned closer, kissing the spot on her earlobe that he knew had nearly turned her into jelly on the dance floor, teasing this time with his tongue. “Yes?”

“I think you are killing me.”

His tongue made tiny circles along the edge of her ear, making her gasp and fist his shirt in her hands. “Do you want me to stop?”

“God, no.” She arched her back as he pulled her earlobe into his mouth and nibbled gently with his teeth.

“Because I will. Say the word, and I will stop.” He slid his hands down her back and cupped her, caressing downward, downward as he kissed her neck. God, she felt good, smelled good.

She squirmed in his arms, sliding her hands around his body to pull him closer. Through her dress he could feel her body warming deliciously, and the heat in his own was building to a peak he hadn’t felt in a very long time. Maybe ever.

He smiled against her lips. “Hayley?”

“What?”

“Told ya you’d melt.”

Then he finally touched his lips to hers, and he heard her sigh as he tasted the sweet raspberry of her lip gloss, felt her sag in his arms as he angled to deepen the kiss. His hands longed to explore her entire body, starting with the jawline that led to the cascade of curly hair falling loosely down her back.

He stifled a gasp as he felt her hands slide up his sides and over his chest. He’d expected confidence, surety—but instead her touch was tentative, slow, enticing. And hot. Her hands were so damn hot they left a path of flames. She traced the lines of his pectorals, then ran her hands up over his shoulders and into his hair, pulling him closer.

As they sunk into the kiss, barely breathing, he had the startling sensation that for the first time in forever, he wanted this. Wanted more than this. Wanted more than hot kisses in a moonlit gazebo. Wanted less clothes and more touching. Wanted all of her. Wanted it now.

But apparently the feeling wasn’t mutual.

Just as he started tracing his fingers along the neckline of Hayley’s dress, she pulled back, catching her breath. Even in the moonlight he could see the color in her cheeks, the fever in her eyes, but instead of resuming the kiss, she slowly let her hands slide down his torso. Pulling out of his embrace, her face looked stricken.

“What’s wrong?” He was mystified. That kiss had been completely mutual. He had not imagined the heat between them. That he knew.

She crossed her arms, and his heart sunk at the action. What the hell?

“I’m sorry, Daniel. I—I can’t do this.”

He shook his head slowly. “I don’t understand.”

She sighed. “I’m not sure I do either.”

“Well, that’s not helpful.” He lifted her chin gently with his fingers, forcing her to look into his eyes. “What just happened here?”

She closed her eyes, scrunching them shut as she blew out a breath. “God, Daniel. I just can’t do this. I’m…it’s not right.”

What?

“It felt pretty right to me.”

“That’s the problem.”

He shook his head. “Enlighten me.”

“Dammit.” She turned and walked toward the railing. “You’re too good.”

“And that’s a problem why?”

“I mean…ugh. I don’t know what I mean.” She crossed her arms again. “You’re a really nice guy.”

“Ouch.”

“No, I mean it. You’re way too nice. Way too good. Not the type to do—this.”

“By this, you’re referring to—?”

“This kissing thing, this dancing thing, this—this flirty, hot, knock-my-socks-off-and-drag-me-to-bed thing.”

“I’m not sure whether to be offended or not here.”

He tried to read her expression, but she’d pulled invisible shades down over her eyes, and he had a feeling it wasn’t the first time she’d used the technique.

After a long, silent moment, she turned toward him, straightening her shoulders. “I’m not a long term bet, Daniel. I’m short, not-so-sweet, and outta here before you say good morning. That’s what I do. That’s what I’m good at.” She sighed. “And oh, God, do I want to do that with you right now, but I can’t. I won’t.”

“Because?”

“Because you deserve better—and I can’t promise you better.”

“I see.” He crossed his own arms, not sure what to make of the roiling feeling in his gut. “How’s that strategy work for you generally?”

“It works just fine most of the time, as long as I keep my head on straight. But this—this kissing? Not helping.”

“Because—”

“Because I like it.” She put her fingertips to her forehead, scrunching her nose. “And I can’t. I really, really can’t.”

He backed up a step, giving her space. Apparently he wasn’t the only one completely rocked by one kiss. Or two. He wasn’t sure whether that was good or bad at this point, however. “So where does that leave us?”

“We could pretend we were drunk. Things got out of hand, yadda yadda.” Her hands flailed gently, and he wasn’t sure whether he should be amused or genuinely frustrated.

“I’m not drunk.”

“I’m not either. That’s why I said pretend. It could work.”

“Really.”

“It’s just an idea. Or we could just pretend it never happened.”

“Really.”

“Stop saying really. I’m trying to get us out of a bad situation.”

He took another step back, trying not to smile. She was completely adorable in her flushed, discombobulated state, and he had done this. He’d broken through a set of armor that he’d be willing to bet was steel-plated. Maybe titanium.

But it was time to tread carefully, nevertheless. His own emotions were on overload, but nothing had felt so right in a long time.

He took a breath. “What if I don’t think it is a bad situation?”

“Oh, it is. It most definitely is. You do not want to go here with me.”

He chuckled at her dramatic distress. Then he stepped closer, then closer still. She didn’t back up. He saw her breath catch and watched the color rise in her cheeks as he tipped her chin up with one hand and ran the other along her cheek and into her hair.

“You know, Scampini, you talk a good game, but I think I do want to go here with you.”

—

“I’m pretty sure that pot’s already clean.” Jess grimaced as Hayley plopped a shiny pan back into the dishwater after breakfast in the main lodge Monday morning.

She stared at the pot. Had she already washed it? She couldn’t remember.

“I, um, saw a spot. Did you get the table wiped down?”

“You did it three times already. I think it’s as clean as it’s going to get.”

“I did not.” Hayley tipped her head. “Did I?”

Jess nodded carefully. “Yes, and you just put the Cheerios in the refrigerator and the milk in the cereal cupboard.”

“Did not.” She opened the cupboard. “Omigod, I totally did.”

“What’s wrong, Hayley?”

“Nothing. Nothing’s wrong. It’s Monday morning, we had a lovely wedding this weekend, the sun is shining, no one’s been eaten by a bear, and the honeymooners are off to paradise.” She dumped the newly shinier pan onto the drainboard for Jess to dry it. “It’s all good.”

“Mm-hm.” Jess strolled across the room to put the pan away. “Is there anything left on Kyla’s list, or have you already done it all?”

“I just did a few things.” Hayley shrugged, not wanting to admit she’d been up since four o’clock this morning, when she’d finally given up on sleeping. No one had to know she’d taken the opportunity to use a boatload of nervous energy to wipe down all of the outdoor furniture and sweep the porches before she’d saddled up her favorite Whisper Creek horse for an early morning ride—in the opposite direction she and Daniel had walked two nights ago.

Jess put a gentle arm out to stop Hayley as she headed to scrub down the island. “You already washed the island. Twice.”

“I did?”

“Hayley. Sit down.”

Hayley felt her shoulders drop. “You sound like me when you talk like that.”

“Good. Now sit.” Jess pointed at a chair, pouring a cup of tea and setting it in front of Hayley. “I’d give you coffee, but I think you’ve got enough running through your veins already this morning.”

“Thank you.” Hayley took a grateful sip, but her feet were tapping on the floor, counteracting the calmness she was trying to project. “I’m just trying to make sure we get everything done so Kyla doesn’t have to worry about things.”

Jess raised her eyebrows. “I’m pretty sure that whatever Kyla’s doing right now, it has nothing to do with worrying about us.”

“True. I don’t want Ma to worry, then.”

“Hayls.” Jess pulled out a chair and sat across from Hayley at the tiny breakfast-nook table. “I’ve never seen you like this. Was the kissing that good? Or that bad?”

Hayley felt a flush creep up her neck and onto her cheeks. “I never even said we did kiss.”

“Honey, when you two walked back into the tent, even the minister was onto you.”

“Stop it.”

“It’s true. But then Daniel left, and you squirreled yourself away in the cabin, and then you took off on Twinkle for most of yesterday, so it’s all very mysterious.” Jess suddenly put down her teacup. “Did you two do more than kiss?”

Hayley put her fingertips to her eyebrows, trying to rub away the headache that had chased her since yesterday morning. “I never should have danced with him.”

“Oh, no. You did do—more.”

“No! We didn’t!”

“You looked gorgeous dancing together! And you seemed to be having fun. Weren’t you?”

“Yes. We were. Two singles at a wedding, determined to keep each other from getting entangled with anyone else.”

Jess laughed softly. “That sounds very logical, in its own very strange way.”

“It was working just fine for the dancing part. And the walking part. But just a piece of advice. Never let a man walk you to a riverside gazebo all lit up with white lights if you don’t want your head to go spinning in crazy directions.”

“Uh-oh.”

Hayley sighed, remembering how he’d cradled her jaw like she was made of the finest porcelain, how he’d murmured words in her ear that had turned her knees to hot wax, how he’d run his fingers through her hair and held her so close she could swear their heartbeats matched.

“Was it—awful?”

“No. It definitely wasn’t awful.”

“So what, then, had you up spraying down lawn furniture at four o’clock this morning?”

Hayley tapped her fingers on the table and blew out a frustrated breath. “The fact that it wasn’t awful.”

“Ahh.” Jess nodded slowly. “So now you’re freaking out because Hayley ‘date-’em-and-dump-’em’ Scampini does not fall for men who could possibly rock her world for more than a six-to-twelve-week period.”

“Thirteen.”

“Pardon me.”

Hayley sighed. “What have I done?”

“Well,” Jess laughed, “I think you’ve behaved like a completely normal woman faced with a hot, funny, smart guy who gets you.”

“Somehow that is not comforting.”

Jess raised her eyebrows. “So how did you leave things?”

“I told him it was a mistake. He deserved to know that. I’m not a good bet.”

Jess put a gentle hand on Hayley’s. “Just because you never have fallen in love doesn’t mean you never could.”

“That’s what scares me.”

“So you’re going to give up a whole week of being with him, just so you don’t risk getting in any deeper?”

“Deeper is bad.” Hayley shook her head. “Shallow was way bad enough.” She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “He’s got kids, Jess.”

“—who are adorable.”

“Completely, but I don’t know how to play that game. He is most definitely a package deal.”

Jess tipped her head and raised her eyebrows. “Wrapped up in a pretty nice package, though.”

“Seriously. Plus, there’s the small matter of two thousand miles between us.”

“People do long-distance relationships all the time.”

“I don’t.”

“You don’t do any-distance relationships. At least not yet.”

“Because that works for me. Always has.”

Jess nodded slowly, swirling her tea. “Do you remember when we were here last year and it was so obvious to the two of us that Kyla and Decker were just mean to be, even though they’d pretty much just met?”

“This is not that.”

She leaned forward. “This is completely that. You can’t plan this stuff, Hayley. Just because it’s not convenient and not expected and not necessarily even wanted, here it is. This amazing, gorgeous man has been practically dropped in your lap, and he’s just as attracted to you as you are to him. There is no way you’re going to be able to ignore that, as hard as you try.”

“I’m not ignoring it. I’m just trying to be logical about it.”

“Love isn’t logical, Hayls.”

“This isn’t love!”

Jess tapped the table as she got up. “Well, as I see it, you’ve got two options. One is to stop over-analyzing everything and just see what happens. Life has a way of working itself out.”

“I’ll go with Plan B. I’m not big on giving up that much control.”

“All right, then Plan B is to run around the ranch playing Cinderella for the rest of the week, ignoring a perfectly wonderful Prince Charming who waits only five miles away—and then spend the rest of your life wondering what might have been.”

She tipped her head. “Your decision.”