When they arrived at the inn minutes later, Cord parked in the lot; they went immediately to the onsite restaurant and were seated near a window. Shallie felt good, not a hint of any doubt. It was easy to tell that this place was special. The predinner drinks were lovely; Shallie had perhaps the most delicious Chardonnay she’d ever tasted, and Cord said the local craft beer was “exceptional.” After that, they shared an appetizer of sustainable Pacific shrimp and scallops, followed by creamy mashed potatoes, salmon and asparagus. She said she made no exceptions for meat but would be pescatarian tonight.

Dessert? Although Shallie said she couldn’t, Cord asked for two decaf coffees and an order of the fruit tart special to split.

Shallie told him—and it was the truth—that this was one of the best meals she’d ever had, not adding that the company was a large part of that.

“I hope this will be one of the best nights you’ve ever had.”

She didn’t respond or meet his eyes, but she hoped so, too…

THEY RETRIEVED THEIR bags and walked toward the front desk to check in.

And right there in the lobby, she dropped her purse and bag, slipped both arms around his neck and kissed him—briefly but it was enough to arouse her.

When they entered their room, Shallie felt as if she was an inexperienced twenty-year-old again, despite her marriage and a short-lived relationship or two, and all the times she and Cord had been together. Throwing their bags on the floor, they surged into each other’s arms and he kissed her deeply. She kissed him back with the same passion, and they tumbled onto the bed.

Until these recent weeks with Cord, she hadn’t kissed any man since before her divorce from Rob.

She and Cord were gentle the first time. They slowly removed each other’s clothes. She’d already kicked off her heels, which had never been all that comfortable, anyway.

The intensity of kissing and touching continued, and it wasn’t long before she took him in her mouth. His excitement had the same effect on her. Then he brought Shallie to a climax unlike any she’d ever had—she was sure of it.

This was good sex, which only continued to get better.

Then they took the conventional approach, with him on top, and that worked for both of them, too.

He sighed, stroking her breasts, kissing her lips. “You know what I think this means?” he asked. “Not just this, but every minute we’ve spent together?”

“What?” And she couldn’t help sounding a little breathless, anticipating his response.

“That I’m in love with you. Completely, deeply, truly in love. And maybe…”

“Maybe I’m in love with you?”

“Yeah,” he replied. “Is that possible?”