The first time River had seen him, Easton had been wearing a dark T-shirt and worn blue jeans. Maybe he knew how good that particular combination looked on him, because he’d never looked as gorgeous as he did right then, biceps flexing with dangerous appeal just from his hands being stuffed into his pockets. Even from this far away, River could tell he was going both shoulders on her. And it worked too, because she wanted to be pressed against that tall, strong body, those arms around her.

“What’s all this for?” she asked, inhaling the deep, luxurious scent of evergreens and cedar wood.

Easton cleared his throat uncomfortably. “I’m not all that great with this stuff. Thought about taking you out for a nice meal, but you’ve been kicked out of pretty much everywhere in town.”

“Har har,” River said, rolling her eyes at him. “I’m only technically not allowed back at the resort.”

“I didn’t want to share you.” This time, Easton’s voice was stronger, surer. “I know they all want to see you, but I want you the most.”

River closed the distance between them, and only then did she realize his beard had been trimmed down neatly, leaving his smile visible to see. Reaching up to brush her fingertips along his jaw, she knew she didn’t want to share him either. And in a couple of hours, she was going to have to give him up completely.

“You’re very handsome, Easton Lockett. I know why the reporter gave you such a hard time. You probably broke her heart.”

Those kind brown eyes gazed down at her, the usual warmth replaced with a heat that River could feel down to her toes.

“Was the walk too rough?” he asked in a low voice, hands finding her hips.

She shook her head, because she would have hopped on one foot to get to him, to have this night with him. “No, it was perfect,” she promised, unable to keep her palms from sliding up his chest.

“Are you hungry?”

“Definitely.” At first, she misunderstood, reaching for him and drawing him down to her. Easton bent his head willingly, his arm wrapping around her waist and lifting her up on her good toes. When they pulled away to catch their breath, he smiled against her lips.

“I meant actual food,” he told her. “Come on.”

River let him draw her to the campfire, where their dinner waited. Upon seeing what he’d prepared, River slipped her hand into his, delighted.

“You ordered pizza. Pepperoni and pineapple. I can’t believe you remembered that.”

Easton’s fingers threaded with hers. “Not much I’m going to forget about you, sweetheart.”