“Only one way to find out,” Natasha said, gesturing toward the front. “It might be somebody who heard about these chocolate-dipped strawberries.”

Laughing, Serenity shook her head and started toward the front. Her pulse skipped when she looked through the peephole and saw Gabriel standing there. She snatched the door open. “Gabriel! What are you doing here? I thought you weren’t coming back until Sunday.”

“I changed my mind.” Gabriel stepped inside and curved his arm around her waist at the same time his mouth connected with hers.

He kissed her with an urgency she returned. Had it been only four days since she’d felt his lips on hers? Tightening his hold, he continued to plunder her mouth, and her body started to tremble. Through the haze of desire, she heard dishes, remembered she wasn’t alone, and jumped back.

He stared down at her curiously. “What’s the matter?”

“Nothing. I forgot for a moment that Natasha’s here. You want to come into the kitchen?”

“Nah. I don’t want to interrupt. I just wanted to see you for a few minutes to let you know I’m back.”

Serenity smoothed her hair down. The man’s kisses had the ability to rob her of every brain cell. “And you never did answer my question.”

“I wrapped things up sooner than I thought.” His hand made a slow pass down her back as he nuzzled her neck. “What are you doing this weekend?”

It took a moment for his words to register because she couldn’t concentrate with his tongue and lips on her. “Um…” Her head dropped back and her eyes slid closed. “I don’t have anything planned. Why?”

Gabriel lifted his head. “I thought we could drive down to Napa on Saturday for your wine train tour, dinner, and anything else you want to do, then come back Sunday.”

Serenity waged an inner debate for several seconds. Was he planning for them to share a room, and was she ready for whatever happened? Staring up at his handsome face, she answered her own questions with a resounding yes. She was ready for everything he wanted to give. “I’d love to go. Do you want me to make the reservations?”

“Nope,” he said, dropping a kiss on her nose. “I’ve got it. I’ll call you to let you know the itinerary. Tell Natasha I said hi.” He stepped back onto the porch and, after gifting her with one more spine-tingling kiss, loped across the yard to his house.

She closed the door and leaned her head against it for a moment to calm her racing heart. Once she felt in control, she went back to the kitchen. “That was Gabriel. He just stopped by to let me know he was back earlier than expected.”