“Considering your first-aid training and how prepared you were to walk into that flood, am I right to assume there’s no need to wonder about the safety factor of heading away from the crowds in a public park at night?”

Gabe chuckled. “I wouldn’t say that goes for any park or even all sections of this park, but this area’s pretty well traversed. And it’s not that late yet.”

After a second, Olivia gave a little nod. “I’m good with that answer.” She slipped her arm underneath his and locked her hand around his waist just above his jeans, her thumb tracing his side just over his shirt.

They walked in silence along the trail for a few minutes before she spoke again. “Is it too forward to tell you that I love the way you feel against me?”

“Ahh, no, definitely not.”

She laughed softly and tucked her head against his shoulder. “Good, because I do. And it’s not just that you’re tall and fit and—you know, that sort of stuff. I just feel like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be when I’m close to you.”

If she could’ve said anything else to hit home like that, Gabe wasn’t sure what it could be.

As far as he could see ahead and behind, they were alone on the trail. Gabe stopped walking and turned to face her, brushing the tips of her knuckles across his lips. “It’s that way for me, too, Olivia. I don’t know how or why, but the first time I saw you, something about you felt so right. I guess that’s why everything rose up in me to declare it was otherwise—so much so, I almost panicked and left you stranded at that garage with that asshole.”

“You’re forgiven for that. Almost.” She traced her thumb along his lower lip, then with her other hand, she pressed the flat of her palm against his abdomen smack-dab between the button of his jeans and his belly button.

An inferno of heat raced up and down his abs, and his cock struggled to salute against the fabric of his jeans. Stay cool, man. “Almost?”

“Yeah, almost. But if you spend a few minutes kissing me, I bet it would morph into full forgiveness.”

“I’d be good with that, but fair warning, there’s something else on the verge of morphing here too.” He pressed her back against the base of a thick tree a few feet off the trail. Her purse thumped against his side as she locked her arms around his neck. Rather than holding back, this time he let himself be free, drawing her tightly in toward him and opening his mouth fully to hers. She met him with the same eagerness, their tongues and hands as ready to join in the dance as their bodies.