Falling for the Grumpiest Protector
Page 153
I follow her gaze. "Tomorrow it belongs to Oakridge."
"Exactly."
Something about the comparison makes me smile. Two places that shouldn't have much in common. Except maybe they do. People come hungry. Not always for food. Sometimes they just need somewhere to sit for a while.
Maddy's shoulder rests against mine. "I'm glad I get to see it."
I turn toward her. "So am I."
Her eyes meet mine. The rest happens without much thought. I set my water down and kiss her. She turns into me, one hand sliding along my jaw. There's nothing tentative about the way she kisses me now. Nothing careful. I love that.
When we part, she stays close. Her thumb brushes the edge of my jaw. "Hi," she says softly.
I smile. "Hi."
She kisses me again. Slower. My hand settles at her waist. For a minute, the farm disappears.
Then my phone rings. Maddy closes her eyes and smiles against my mouth. "Don't answer."
"Tempting."
She opens her eyes. "But you will."
"Yeah." Her thumb moves once along my jaw. "Go. I'll be here."
I kiss her again before reaching for my phone. It's one of the produce suppliers. The call takes longer than I want it to.
When I come back, Maddy is standing near the loading dock with her phone in her hand. Something about her expression makes me slow. "You okay?"
Her head comes up. "Yeah. It's work."
"Everything all right?"
She hesitates. "Just something I need to deal with."
I nod. "All right." For a second, she watches me. Then she slips her phone into her back pocket and reaches for my hand. "Walk me to my car?"
I lace my fingers through hers. "Come on."
Her car is parked near the main building. The farm is almost empty now. Maddy stops beside the driver's door. "What time do you need me tomorrow?"
"Eight."
"I'll be here."
"Good."
She smiles. "Big day."
"Yeah."
She looks past me toward the farm. "It's going to be great."
"You sound sure."
"I am."
I believe her. Maybe because she says it like there's no other possibility. Maybe because she has a way of making me believe things I wouldn't have let myself believe a few months ago.