Chapter 3

3

HARPER

S taring at the photo of a beautiful wildflower meadow on my phone, it feels like my heart actually skips a couple of beats. His text about the car being an easy fix was sweet, but then this photo… I've never had a man send me flowers before, even like this.

I glance up when I hear Nikki and Jocelyn laughing. "There she goes again," Nikki says with a grin. "She's all freaked out about her big date and it hasn't even happened yet."

My sigh is loud and long as I flop back against the couch. With the dining room table completely covered in notes and a large map of Old Hemlock Valley, we've been taking our coffee breaks in the living room.

It's such a beautiful house. The unbelievable forest and valley view from the huge dining room window is particularly amazing. The pilot who owns the place is away for two months, and rents it out occasionally, so we got lucky. It's much nicer than the inn right downtown. Plus, it gives us more privacy while we work.

"Do you know what you're wearing?" Jocelyn asks eagerly, sitting at the other end of the couch.

Nikki leans forward in the easy chair. "Yeah. We didn't get a long look at the guy, but Griffin seems like a steady, hard-working, normal dude. You don't want anything too fancy."

"He must have already noticed you're really pretty." Jocelyn sips her coffee while she stares at me carefully. "Maybe put your hair half up so it doesn't block your face."

"I know I should delve into all of the psychology and nonverbal communication stuff we've learned." My eyes roll slightly. "But I don't want to. I feel like… I don't know. Maybe it's cheesy, but I feel like I should just let nature take its course and try to relax?" My traitorous left ring finger finds its way to my teeth. It's the only nail I can't stop biting when I'm stressed. Yanking it away from my mouth, I take a slow breath. "Although I do want to try to seem less nerdy. I don't want him to know that I'm a geeky book addict who's never even been on a date before."

Nikki's chin jerks up. "Really? Never?"

"No. But…um…" I can already feel myself blushing, and looking down, my hands are trembling. "We definitely clicked last night, so I think things are going to go well. As long as I keep it together."

My friends glance at each other, then finally Jocelyn says, "We couldn't help noticing that the two of you were standing on the porch for a while before you came in. Then we were all consumed with work, and I didn't want to pry." Her eyes twinkle. "But are we allowed to ask if he kissed you goodnight?"

I don't need to answer. My flaming cheeks do it for me.

"Amazing! We've only been here a few days and Harper already got herself some!" Nikki's laugh rings out around us. "I was wondering if one of us would run into a hot mountain man. Well, not me of course…"

Jocelyn and I laugh. We're at the age where most people are already dating a fair bit. But Jocelyn and I are both quite shy, and Nikki has sworn off dating until she's at least twenty-five. According to her, relationships are always useless before then, because nobody takes women seriously until they're nearing thirty.

"Honestly, I think a practice relationship might be good for you." Nikki jumps to her feet. "What time are you meeting him?"

"He's picking me up at six." The clock on the wall says five-fifteen, but I've already showered and done my make up. I just can't figure out what to wear to save my life.

"Pretty early," Jocelyn says, nodding. "I like it."

"Where are you going?" Nikki asks.

"Jim's Pizza on Main Street. It looks like a quiet place."

"Perfect." Nikki jumps up and grabs my arm, dragging me to the guest room.

When we first arrived, we drew straws to see who got which room. I got the cozy little guestroom, Nikki got the main bedroom, and Jocelyn is sleeping on the fold-out couch in the TV room in the basement. She says she prefers it down there because it's quieter.

The next forty-five minutes is a blur as they make me try on several outfits, fuss with my hair, and add a bit more smoky eyeshadow.

"Do we think she needs a little lip gloss?" Jocelyn stares at me with the analytical eye of a surgeon.

"No gloss." Nikki grabs my lipstick, dabbing a touch of it on her finger, then bouncing it slightly across my lower lip. "Her lips can't look sticky. He can't be afraid to kiss her." She fusses with my hair one more time, then steps back. "Perfect. Casual, but pretty, and dressed up enough that he'll know you're excited about the date."

I have to say, they did a good job. Nikki's navy dress with a slight royal blue filigree pattern is incredibly comfortable. Paired with Jocelyn's slouchy, leather boots and my plain black jacket, I look like a relatively sharp, normal young woman, not a slightly obsessed study nerd.

There's a tap at the door, and we all look at the hallway clock. "A minute early," Jocelyn murmurs. "That means he's eager to see you."

When I go to answer it, the other two scramble to sit on the couch, attempting to act casual but leaning back into the couch way too much to pull it off.

The second I open the door and our eyes meet, a swarm of butterflies starts dancing some sort of forbidden boogie in my lower belly. Griffin looks devastatingly sexy in black dress pants, a black button-down shirt, his thick hair pushed back a bit. Although his muscular frame is slightly more concealed in this outfit, the thick curve of his shoulder is clearly outlined as he leans on the doorframe.

"Wow," he breathes. "You're even more gorgeous than yesterday."

He holds out three small mixed bouquets of flowers — bright Gerbera daisies, fuchsia Peruvian lilies, lavender, and a few little white and yellow carnations. He looks in and grins at the other girls on the couch, who are clearly listening to every word. "I figured that three lovely ladies should each have some flowers to brighten their week."

I was already stunned by the photo of flowers he texted earlier. Real flowers? For a first date? And he included my roommates? This feels serious already. It's amazing and unsettling at the same time.

Jocelyn jumps to her feet to gather the bouquets. "That's incredibly thoughtful of you, Griffin. Thank you." She shoots me a pointed look.

"Thanks bunches," Nikki calls out. "Get it? Bunches ? We'll get these in water for you, Harper. Have a great time."

"Yes, thank you, that's very sweet." I grab my purse and take his arm. It feels like I'm floating out the door and across the porch, then I blink in disbelief. My car is in the driveway, next to Griffin's. "How did you?—"

"Two older brothers and a lot of vehicles. You'd be amazed at what I can get done." He grins. "Your car's old suspension shook the starter connections loose. We had it fixed in less than an hour."

"Thank you." At the door of his car, I turn to face him. The part of me that follows written instructions to the letter is floundering without a shred of guidance. "I should tell you something." My voice is so soft I'm surprised he can hear me. "I've never been on a date before. So if there are any rules or anything I should be aware of, or if I do anything wrong, please just tell me. Okay?"

His hand lands on my hip, then the other tangles into the back of my hair. "There's only one rule, Harper." His deep, rough voice is quiet as his warm breath drifts across my ear. "And that is that we have a good time. If you don't like anything, or want to change anything, just say so. You're completely in charge of this entire evening. Got it?"

I start to nod as his lips land on my cheekbone. "I shouldn't have stolen a kiss last night before I took you on a proper date." His voice is even smokier when he speaks so quietly, making me feel the vibrations in my inner thighs. "But I couldn't resist you. Even now, I shouldn't be thinking of kissing these perfect lips before I feed you. And yet I am."

A wave of resolve flows through me. If I act timid right now, it's going to set the tone for our evening. But if I let him know I'm interested, everything's going to be smoother. All I have to do is let my actions say what I don't have the words for.

Turning my head quickly, I catch his lips against mine. Once again, it takes just a few seconds for our soft, almost innocent kiss to turn savage.

When Griffin's lips part slightly, I feel transformed. Captivated. At one with the universe. My body has taken control of my mind and is desperate to explore this incredible sensation.

And I already know that I want to be at one with him , if you get my drift.