Free Nyght's Eve by Laurie Roma

wasn’t sure of
still.
    And that meant he had a lot of thinking to
do.

 
    Chapter Five
     
    There
she is...
    Dare saw Evie walking with her four dogs down
by the pond as soon as he pulled into the drive heading toward the boarding
house. Without thinking, he bypassed his turn off and continued on until he
found himself parking near the pond. It was late in the evening and the stars
were beginning to fill the sky overhead as the sun sank into the horizon. He
turned off his bike, getting off of it to walk toward her. All four dogs ran
forward and he bent down to greet them even though he couldn’t seem to take his
gaze of Evie’s face.
    Twilight seemed to suit her.
    She joined them at a more sedate pace, almost
as if she were hesitating, but he couldn’t really blame her for that. He’d been
an ass yesterday. Hell, he’d been an ass every time he was around her. It was
as if he just couldn’t help himself, but he’d try.
    Damn it, he’d try to act normal around her
now...even if it killed him.
    That was one thing he’d come to terms with on
his ride. Since the moment he first saw Evie, his desire for her had been
sparked, and those flames just seemed to grow each time he was with her. There
was something about her that drew him. It wasn’t just her appearance. No, it
was more than that. Not only was she beautiful, she was also dedicated, hard
working and cared deeply for others. His respect for her grew with each bit of
information he learned about her, and it made him want to understand her
better.
    Embrace
the suck.
    He mentally snorted as he repeated Nikita’s
advice to himself. If he was going to try and get on with his life, then there
was no better time than the present. He wanted Evie. Now, he just needed to figure
out what the hell to do about it.
    Evie watched Dare, conflicted by the feelings
bouncing around inside her. When she saw Dare park, her first instinct was to
turn around and head the other way, but she didn’t like the thought of
retreating. She wasn’t that kind of woman. It frustrated her that she couldn’t
seem to get a handle on him, though. One minute she was practically melting
with lust, then the next she wanted to smack him across the face.
    It was...confusing.
    His presumptuous statement yesterday had put
her back up, but it had also been gratifying to know that he also felt whatever
strange attraction she did. Not that she would act on it. Evie knew that Dare
wasn’t a man that wanted happily ever after, and that was exactly what she was
looking for...no matter how elusive it may be.
    She had been alone for so long that it was
enticing to just give any relationship a try, but she couldn’t make herself
settle no matter how hard she tried. In the past, Evie had dated men hoping
that her feelings for them would develop more, would deepen.
    Only, they didn’t.
    For years, she had thought something was
wrong with her. That she was cold and selfish just like all her exes had called
her. She knew they resented the time and dedication she gave the rescue center
and the search and rescue team, but what no one seemed to understand was that
they weren’t just a hobby for her. Those things were an integral part of who
she was.
    She wanted to feel the all-consuming passion
that she saw in other couples around her. For years, Evie had witnessed the
power of love. How it inspired, how it made people stronger. Evie knew that she
had family who loved her, but that wasn’t the same as having a lover who was
also a real partner. Someone who would always put her first. Her parents had
loved each other completely, and Evie wanted to find that for herself.
    But a little part of her questioned if she
truly deserved that kind of happiness...
    “Hey, you okay?”
    Evie blinked up at Dare, who stood in front
of her, gripping her shoulders gently. “I’m fine. Sorry, I just zoned out there
for a second.”
    “I heard you were out on a rescue today. You
must be tired.”
    “I am, but I still need to