“Your pops sounds like a great guy.”

“He’s the best. You should meet him.”

Now, I’m the one smiling. Holly wants me to meet her dad. That’s the type of thing boyfriends do.

If I were her boyfriend, I’d also lean down to kiss her right now. With our faces only inches away, her big brown eyes locked on mine, it’s tempting.

The silence grows thick between us as our breaths mingle in the close space. Hints of her honeysuckle scent tease and entice me, the warmth of her body turning my muscles into liquid lava.

Her lips part, and she gasps in a small breath. “Ben, I …”

“Yeah?” My hand starts to rise to cup her face.

But then she turns her head and leans away from me. “I think our soup is cold.”

That’s not the only thing rapidly cooling down in this cabin. Still, I let her go.

“Don’t worry about it. That’s what we have a fire for.” I walk over to the table, grab our soup bowls, and then crouch in front of the fire to return the contents to the original pot. Repositioning the pot over the flames, I realize we’re low on fuel. “You give this a few stirs while I grab some more wood.”

Her smile is toothy and excited as she eagerly reaches for the spoon handle.

I pull my jacket off the coat rack and slip my feet into my boots, not bothering to tie the laces when I’m only going as far as the porch.

The cool air hits my chest and creeps into the exposed seams of my shirt. Quickly, I gather an armload of split wood, balancing it on one arm as I pull the cabin door back open and shut it behind me, doing my best to keep the heat from escaping.

Holly is still by the fire, standing now, with her hands held out for warmth. The sight of her there, in her bulky sweater that hangs low over her leggings, cheeks flushed from the heat, short chestnut hair tucked behind her ears, I can’t do anything but stare. This situation feels so right, like fitting that last little piece into the puzzle you’ve been working on for weeks. Spending time with her settles me but also sets my heart racing.

We’ve both cut ourselves open tonight. Been vulnerable with each other.

Greedy bastard that I am, I crave more.

I want to claim her as mine. I want to hold her at night when we fall asleep, kiss her in the morning, talk to her every day, worship her body, and have her explore mine.

Question is, does she trust me enough to give me a chance?

HOLLY

“You don’t have to do that. I can get this.” Ben comes up beside me at the sink, trying to take the sponge out of my hand.

I dodge him and flick some suds his way. “Nuh-uh. You cooked. I clean. Go pick out another movie.” Besides, I need something to keep my jittery hands busy.