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He draws a deep breath, unmoving. A slow country song drifts down the street from the barn, and he pulls off his hat. “In that case...Dance with me?”

I nod, and with succinct movements, he puts his hat back on and tugs me into his arms. His left hand splays out at the small of my back while his right takes my hand in his and holds it at the side of us. I rest my fingers on his bicep, his height too great for me to comfortably rest against his shoulder. Our bodies settle a few inches apart.

“This okay for a first date?” he asks.

“More than okay.”

We sway in time with the music, Archer leading me slowly on the sidewalk. A few voices chatter quietly nearby across the street, but most people are nearer to the Library and Town Hall, leaving me and the cowboy almost entirely alone.

As the moments pass by, he pulls me closer. He releases my hand to hold both of his around my waist, and I do my best to hold my fingers around his neck as he ducks closer to be nearer to me. His chin rests against my temple, his whiskers prickling my skin as a soft humming comes from his chest in time with the music.

The sound vibrates against me, and I close my eyes, compelling myself to remember everything I’m feeling physically and emotionally as I dance with Archer.

The strength he exudes and the protection I feel in his arms is everything I’ve ever wanted—and everything I need.

I pull back a degree, staring up at him. His eyes are soft as they sweep across my features, and only then do I realize...his protection isn’t everything I need.

There’s a greater desire simmering.

When Archer’s eyes shift to my lips, I know he wants the same.

His breathing shallows. I can feel it against my chest as our movements stop, though he holds me close.

“Will you break up with me if I kiss you on our first official date?”

My head swirls. “I might break up with you if you don’t.”

His curved lip is my undoing. To experience this moment in reality, so far beyond my daydreams, is almost more than I can handle.

His hands slide up my hips, arms, then shoulders, resting near my jawline as he cradles my face in his fingers. His shoulders are raised, great masses I want to explore, but I cling to his arms to steady my swaying legs.

He slides his fingers farther behind my neck, then pulls me close as he leans down.

I tilt my head to the side and part my lips in preparation. The last thing I see before I close my eyes is his brow furrowing, and his eyes reflecting a sheer, eager desire for me.

Juliet

Archer’s first kiss is soft, a brushing of his lips on mine. He pulls back, hovering just above my mouth as if he wants to revel in what has just occurred. But the longer he keeps away from me, the more I want him—the more I need him.

I raise one hand to rest against his chest beneath his unzipped jacket. As if the movement gives him permission, his lips return to mine. This time, they linger, pressing more firmly.

I slip my free hand beneath his jacket and slide it up his back, my fingertips relishing the feel of his firm lines and ridges.

A soft release of his breath tickles my cheek. He parts from me for a second, then resets the kiss, soft, yet strong. Gentle, yet firm. He’s reserved and controlled, but I don’t want him to be. I want more. I want to breathe him in, soak him in.

I want the fire I was promised in his gaze.

I reach up, sliding my fingers down the sides of his beard, then up through his hair, and a soft mumble comes from his chest.

His hands move down to my hips, and he coaxes me backward. I follow his lead, unafraid of stumbling with his capable guidance. The lights in the trees above sparkle behind my eyelids, then slowly fade to blackness. I flick my eyes open to see he’s led me back into the alcove of a dark shop window.

Now, tucked in the shadows away from prying eyes, his large figure conceals me from the street, and our inhibitions slowly unravel.

He deepens his kiss. His mouth moves faster, with more intentionality than ever, and I melt into him, responding with a fervor and hunger of my own.

I expected nothing less from his kiss.

It’s flawless.