Chapter 4

4

ALLIE

“ E ight ball, corner pocket.”

I watch in awe as Damon leans over the pool table, making the last shot effortlessly.

Back Pocket is a dark basement pool hall lounge done up like a speakeasy. It was just a five-minute walk from the restaurant, and honestly, it’s the perfect activity. For the past hour, Damon has been teaching me how to improve my game while kicking my ass. But he’s not competitive about it at all.

Somehow this feels like yet another really good sign.

Best of all, he won’t stop touching me. Every time we pass each other as we move around the table, his fingertips slide into the back of my hair, or his palm wraps around my hip and gives it a little squeeze. He’s turning me to melted butter, and I don’t know how much more I can take.

Once he sinks the eight ball, Damon flashes me a giant grin. “One more game?”

“Sure.”

“Another drink to go with it?” He nods to my empty lemon drop martini glass.

“No thanks. More than one in this heat would be risking a migraine.”

“Got it.” He looks down at the table for a second, lost in thought, then nods. “Rack ’em up, I’ll be right back.”

By the time I’ve got the next game set up, he’s coming back with two tulip glasses filled with something pink and sparkling. “These don’t have any booze in them. Just fresh fruit and fizzy water. Nutrition and hydration in fancy form.”

“Perfect. Thank you.”

I’m overwhelmed at how thoughtful he is. Many men would be out the door like a shot if they discovered a girl came with limitations and baggage. Instead, Damon simply ramps up his already stellar level of care. It’s…sexy…how comfortable I am around him. I would never have expected that. It’s like I’m discovering things about my physical side and his at the same time.

Somehow, I manage to sink one ball off the break and follow with my best game of the night. Damon takes every excuse to stand behind me, adjusting my form, and helping me to line up each shot.

“If you keep helping me like this, I’ll beat you someday.”

“Good.” His eyes sparkle as his hand slips down to caress my lower back. “I like a challenge.”

I take my shot, and the ball hovers right on the edge for a long heartbeat before dropping in.

“Nice work.” He hugs me from behind, kissing the top of my head.

As he circles the table to line up his shot, I ask, “Oh, hey – when we were out behind the diner, did you say something about being a firefighter?”

“Yeah.” He makes an easy shot, then grins. “I’m a volunteer firefighter with the VFFT.”

“The what?”

His chuckle is dark and rich. “We pronounce it vift . It stands for Volunteer Firefighters of the Triangle – Old Hemlock Valley, West Stoneburg, and Cedarville.”

“So that’s why you have medical training.”

“Yes. It’s also why I’m always excited to learn more about health and wellness. Every single thing I learn is another bit of knowledge to help people, you know?”

My heart melts further at how kind he is. Damon is pure goodness, through and through.

We finish the game and our healthy cocktails. “Hey.” Damon sets down my empty glass, then pulls me into his arms. “Have you ever been kissed in a pool lounge before?”

I don’t want to admit that until tonight, I’ve never really been kissed beyond a few tentative pecks after two awkward first dates that didn’t go any further. “No, I haven’t.” My eyebrow raises. “Is that considered an acceptable activity in such a wholesome mountain town?”

“I think sometimes people have to get a bit dirty.” He backs me up three steps until I’m against the wall, then kisses along my collarbone while holding me close. Being pinned with his huge frame makes me feel tiny. He’s quickly revealing his sensual side, and the way he treats me… I’ve never felt this way before. Safe. Secure. I know if anything went sideways, Damon would help me take care of it.

My fingers thread through the back of his hair as he holds me so close my breasts brush gently against his chest. My shoulders swivel back and forth until he chuckles and grips my hip firmly. “I know,” he breathes. “I feel it too, gorgeous.”

Looking up, I see so much in his eyes. Burrowing my face into his neck, I kiss along his warm skin, breathing in his rich, cedar fragrance. My nipples ache, and my core tightens.

“So fucking hot.” He captures my lips in a kiss that actually makes the backs of my calves quiver. The heat that washes through me doesn’t make me feel weak and unsteady. This warmth is more like a glow – like sunshine, but sexier.

I love the way Damon makes me feel comfortable and completely on edge at the same time.

He’s got the hot mountain man thing down perfectly – plus he’s a firefighter as well? Unbelievable. Grasping the back of his sculpted shoulders, I want to cling to him just to see how our bodies would fit together if we were alone.

Our lips part as he kisses me more deeply, his hunger sending ripples of lust between my legs. My soft moan makes his fingers clench against my skin until he suddenly breaks off the kiss. “I forgot,” he whispers. “I think we’re in public.”

He steps back, straightening up to his full height. Then he bends down to tip up my chin with his finger, giving me a short, polite peck. “I should probably get you home, since you work so early.”

“I guess so.”

Our conversation is even more animated on the way home, and all too soon we’re standing in my doorway.

I don’t want him to leave.

“Ah, yes, the all-important good night kiss.” Damon strokes back my hair, then slides his arm around me. “I think I’m supposed to play it cool, but make sure you know how much I like you. Oh, and I’m supposed to leave you wanting more.”

“Oh, you are, are you…”

He snorts. “That’s according to those so-called expert dating articles. I read a few of them a few years ago, mainly for shits and giggles. How about I just do whatever I want instead?”

“Sounds good.” I really do want him to do whatever he wants. Anything. Everything. All . My entire body truly craves his touch.

Damon clasps me close against him, his left hand pressing against my lower spine. His right hand drifts up my ribs, then slips into the front of my dress as he kisses me softly. Luckily, his huge bulk is blocking us so that nobody can see.

“So fucking sexy,” he mutters, as his thumb strokes over my nipple, his palm caressing my skin gently. “Not to be crude, but you have the most incredible tits I’ve ever seen.”

I’d laugh, except he chooses that moment to kiss me deeper, causing a fiery, lusty heat to coil low in my belly. Then even lower. He pinches my nipple for a second, just enough to make me gasp, then his hand springs out, skimming down my waist before hovering right at my hip bone. For several head-spinning seconds I’m positive he’s going to reach under my skirt.

But after one more soul-stirring kiss, he steps back, clasping my hands in his. “I need your number, angel.”

We pull out our phones and create new contacts. I smile when I see him file my number as Allie Angel.

“Just as an FYI, I’m going to be really busy tomorrow and can’t always answer if I’m up on a ladder or have my hands covered in drywall dust.”

“And I’m not supposed to use my phone at work unless I’m on a break.”

“All good. We’ll talk soon.”

He takes three steps away, then darts back for one more kiss that leaves me twitching and breathless. Then he kisses my forehead. “Sleep well.”

I laugh to myself while slipping inside. Sleep well? It’ll be a miracle if I sleep at all after the best date ever.

Damon definitely likes me. And he clearly wants me as much as I want him.

I just hope that I can keep myself from overheating or glitching out. With work and firefighting, he’s too busy for a girlfriend who’s an energy drain. I’ll have to do my best.

Because I definitely need to feel a lot more of his heat.