Free Seized by Love (Love in Bloom: The Ryders, Book 1): Blue Ryder by Melissa Foster Page B

turned her attention back to the easel, painting flower petals falling from the flowers in the vase. Blue painted a window behind the vase that looked so real she could practically feel the sky beyond.
    “Where did you learn to paint like that?”
    “Just something I picked up in school. Who knew that architecture skills carried over to art?”
    They painted together, teasing each other and laughing, while talking about families and friends and life on the Cape. Lizzie set her paintbrush down to watch Blue paint. His dark brows knitted together and his jaw clenched. He was usually so relaxed that seeing him so intent on the painting was almost like seeing a whole different person. She imagined it was what he must be like when he worked without anyone else around.
    She stifled a yawn, her long day catching up to her.
    “I kept you up too late last night.” Blue set down his paintbrush and pulled her in close, pressing a kiss to her forehead. She loved the intensity of their wild kisses as much as the tenderness of his softer ones, and even though she knew they could only share this one date, she wanted to enjoy every second of it, of him.
    “No. I’m okay.” She looked at the painting and realized he’d painted two string gardens beside the vase. They were drawn in perfect perspective and looked strikingly similar to two of her favorites.
    “Are those mine?” she asked softly.
    “Yes. You told me they were your favorites the day I came in to buy the aloe vera plant.”
    “But that was months ago. You remembered?”
    He rubbed the back of his neck, inhaling a deep breath before finally answering. “Lizzie.” He met her gaze with an intensity of heat and honesty that made her whole body warm up. “I don’t think there’s a thing you’ve told me that I haven’t remembered.”
    Her heart ached with desire and longing. Blue was, without question, the most honest man alive, and no part of her wanted to put distance between them again. But she knew she had to. She reached for his hand, wanting to enjoy their closeness for the rest of the evening. Even if she couldn’t have him forever, she’d take one night. One night of tender kisses that made her head spin, and the most perfect date she’d ever been on. And then she’d go back to the way it was.
    ***
    BLUE KNEW HE was in too deep the moment he’d first pressed his lips to Lizzie’s, and he had no desire to swim to the surface. When they left the restaurant, Lizzie climbed into the truck and moved beside him without his urging. Everything felt natural and right, just as he’d known it would. He felt closer to her than he’d ever felt to a woman, and as they drove away from the Paintery with their painting propped against the seat, he didn’t want the night to end.
    “I had a great time tonight,” Lizzie said. “It’s been so long since I’ve been on a date. I had forgotten how much fun it can be to connect with someone.”
    “Me too, and I knew we’d hit it off. No matter how many times you refused to go out with me, I always knew we’d end up together. I think that’s why I never told Sky that I’d asked you out and that you’d turned me down.”
    “Oh God.” Lizzie gasped. “You didn’t tell her either?”
    He laughed and shook his head. “You didn’t tell her? I thought girls talked about everything.”
    “Usually we do, but I never told her that you asked me out. I didn’t want to feel pressured into accepting.”
    “And I didn’t want her to pressure you.” He hugged her against him and kissed her again. He hadn’t worn his heart on his sleeve for years, but with Lizzie, there was simply no other way to wear it.
    “See how alike we are?” he said. “I know it’s late, and you’re probably too tired, but I have something else planned if you’re—”
    “Blue, I don’t want our date to end either, so whatever you had planned is great with me. Tomorrow’s Sunday, and I usually take the day off, so I can rest