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An addiction.

“How about just once?” I lie through my teeth like it’s second nature.

“Okay.” Her lashes lift, and she studies me like we both have a secret. “Just once.”

26 Cole

I stand out front of the tasting room, watching Delilah jump around the field. Torturing myself with the sight of her in frayed jean shorts and a white tank top with little cherries all over it. Her long blond hair waves around her shoulders.

Fucking hell. I try to tear my eyes from her, but it’s impossible. She’s stunning. There isn’t a man on the planet who could say no to her.

I stride down the steps and meet her in the middle of the field. “What are you doing?”

“Measuring.” She laughs and stretches out her arms. In her right hand is a clipboard and a pen. “Three gigantic leaps for the launch party.”

“You know, there’s a better way to do that.” I lean closer. “It’s called a tape measure.”

She laughs. Pats the pocket of her apron. “Got one.” She tilts her face to the sun, amber eyes sparkling, and asks, “Can I show you what I’m thinking for the launch party?”

“Got time,” I grunt. I’ll be late to the Coop, but who the fuck cares? What’s one more day off-balance?

I’ve been off-balance since I met her. Since we slept together. It’s only been three days, and every damn night this week she’s been in my bed. Fact of the matter, I’m fucking starved without her.

“Over here.” Delilah grabs my hand. I let her lead me further into the field, walking me like a dog on a fucking leash if I’m honest.

“Okay, let me walk you through it.” Arms splayed to the field, she moves one hand to the west. “Hassie will do a pop-up hat bar over there.” A hand to the east now. “We’ll have the band and the bar over there. I’ve already talked to Warren, and he’s going to come up with a signature whiskey cocktail.” Her head tilts. “In honor of your father.”

“Then…” She spins and shimmies to the right, pointing at a spot further back, shielded by evergreens. “If it isn’t too much stress on some of the animals, I thought we could bring out some of the rescues and set up a donation center for the sanctuary.” She smiles. “In honor of your mother.”

My chest feels tight. Too goddamn tight.

“What do you think?” Her teeth worry her lower lip.

“I think…it sounds like you have it handled.”

But the frown on her brow only deepens. “Cole? Do you think Ezra has too much faith in me?”

I can hear the nerves in her words, the doubt that she can’t do it. But that’s where she’s wrong. With Delilah’s infallible determination and charm, I have no doubt she’ll make the launch party a success.

“Ezra has faith in no one.” I go to her, giving her my eyes so she can see how much I believe in her. “The fact that he trusts you to do this says a lot.”

“I’m trying to pull this off, but what if I fail? What if I let your family down? What business do I have doing this when all I’ve ever been is a…a dancer.”

“A dancer doesn’t have anything to do with it.” I step closer, fitting a hand to her cheek. “You won’t fail. If anyone can do it, it’s you.” My gaze roams over her, hoping she believes me.

“Really?”

“Yeah, darlin’. Really.” Every last inch of my body buzzes as I pull her completely into my arms. Soft. Sweet. Warm.

“Cole.” Palms on my chest, Delilah pulls back slightly. Eyes streaked with worry. “Should we be doing this? Out in the open?”

“I don’t give a damn what people say or think.” The truth. We’re not a commitment, but I’ll be damned if I’m keeping her a secret.

She whimpers as I nip at her bottom lip. That desperate sound jerks my cock and has me deepening the kiss. Delilah clings to me as I let loose a low moan in her mouth.

Never enough. Fucking never.

Something tells me ending this at the end of the summer is going to be harder than I thought.