Chapter 3

Emily knocked once, then let herself in at his call.

The cottage was more homely than she expected. She followed the faint smell of cooking through a cottage that felt well-lived-in with a distinctly masculine feel. There was no hint of a woman's touch. He turned from the stove as she stepped inside the kitchen. She wore a fresh dress, her hair brushed and a touch of make-up.

“You clean up well,” he said.

“So do you,” she replied, taking him in. Crisp shirt, sleeves rolled up, still unmistakably him, there was a more polished edge to his rugged core.

“Hungry?”

“Starved.”

“Good.”

Dinner was a simple roasted chicken and salad and better than she expected. They sat across from each other at a small table, the space between them narrowing with every exchange.

“Do you often rescue strangers and invite them to dinner?” she asked.

“Only the ones who wander into my woods.”

“Lucky me.”

“Lucky you.”

She smiled, but didn’t look away. Holding his gaze felt natural now, but no less dangerous.

They talked easily, her trip, his work, neither saying too much, both saying enough. The conversation dipped and lifted, threaded with the expectation of what might come next.

“You’re not what I expected,” she said at one point.

“From a man with an axe?”

“From a man who fixes cars and sells chairs in a village market. I feel like there’s more to you, I just can’t think what it might be yet.”

“We’ve all got a river of secrets flowing through us.”

“I haven’t…yet. But I’m planning on changing that quite soon.”

He didn’t reply; he just stared at her. It was unsettling and arousing in equal measure. Emily felt it again, that same low pull and spreading warmth.

Dinner finished without either of them quite noticing. He stood first, collecting plates; she felt a flicker of uncertainty in him. She followed him into the kitchen, stopping close enough to feel the heat from him.

“You don’t have to stay,” said AJ, not looking at her.

“I know.”

When he turned, Emily didn’t hesitate. She placed her arms around his neck, rose onto her toes and kissed him. He pulled her body against his and kissed her harder. But Emily still felt some hesitation in him.

She pulled away, running her hand down his shirt, she said, “What’s wrong? Don’t you want this?”

“Yes. But are you sure you do?”

She slipped her sandals off and then took a step back. Holding his gaze, she pushed the thin straps of her summer dress off her shoulders and let it fall to the floor. He tried to keep his eyes fixed on hers, but his willpower deserted him. She wore no underwear and was now stood naked before him.

When his eyes wandered down her hourglass figure, she knew she had him.

“I presume the bedroom is this way?” she said, not waiting for an answer before wandering off towards the staircase.