Her hands were shaking, and she wasn’t sure if it was still from the cold water or from being caught in such a compromising position when it had seemed to be just her and Gabe and the rain, or maybe both.

The sky was growing dark in the east, and it occurred to her she hadn’t eaten since breakfast. The shakiness in her hands could also have something to do with the ravenous hunger sweeping over her.

She released a tired breath. “This sucks.”

“I’m sorry, Olivia. The road seemed all but deserted. I didn’t think we’d have company. If there’s anything I can do…”

This whole thing was her fault, not Gabe’s. And she didn’t want him beating himself up over it. “There’s one thing maybe.” She forced a lightness into her tone she didn’t yet feel. “I don’t know about you, but I haven’t eaten since breakfast, and I’m the queen of stress eating. If you’re hungry, it just so happens the world’s best shake-and-burger joint is down the road a little way. Maybe we could circle another time or two, then if we don’t see him, grab something to eat and check back in a little bit?”

“Olivia Graham, you know how to speak my language.” He cocked an eyebrow, his gaze dropping to her lips before he turned his attention to the road. “In more ways than one.”

Chapter 7

A half hour had passed since Olivia had abruptly shimmied off his lap, and Gabe’s blood was still running hot. It could very well be seventy-two and sunny instead of fifty-one and drizzling. Considering he’d come closer to drowning in chilly floodwaters than he wanted to think about, he debated offering Olivia the kudos she deserved. Considering how their short make-out session had ended, he wasn’t convinced he should. It wasn’t just those remarkable lips or the body that sent his thoughts in a thousand wild directions. There’d been something exceptionally real and raw in those few quiet, unexpected minutes.

And a part of Gabe that had been slumbering the last several years had stirred to life to salute with a hell yes.

The tree-house-size shake-and-burger joint she’d suggested was the takeout-only sort that seemed to thrive in small towns. Even before Gabe got a whiff of grilled beef spilling out into the parking lot, he knew he wouldn’t leave disappointed.

As they’d waited for their order, Olivia had admitted to working here at the Dairy Freeze for two years when she was a teen. Gabe could envision a younger version of her working behind the window, her striking red hair drawn up in a ponytail sporting one of the blue ball caps embossed with cheeseburgers, handing out white paper bags stuffed with greasy burgers, and that smile of hers sending a town full of guys into a tailspin.