Free Tidal Falls (Wounded Hearts Book 1) by Jacquie Biggar

her ear, his pulse rioting when she leaned in to his touch like a purring cat.
    “What are we doing , Nick?” The soft yearning in her voice made his chest tighten even as his thighs hardened in reaction. Good question, what were they doing?
    He tugged the bottom of her ear before reluctantly letting go, satisfied as a visible shudder coursed through her. He sat back and contemplated whether to give the easy answer or an honest one. “I suppose we're here to enjoy this fabulous meal.”
    Easy , it is.
    T he server arrived with impeccable timing. “Brought together by the powers that be, I think a toast to good old Ty is in order, don’t you.”
    She gazed wordlessly at him for a lon g moment. Disappointment turned her mouth down at the corners and wiped some of the sparkle from her eyes. He was about to throw caution to the wind and admit how much he wanted to be there with her when she straightened her spine and tossed her head before replying, “You’re right. A toast then, to a perfect meal.”
    She lifted her glass to touch his with a faint ting before taking a sip of the fruity tasting wine. “This is nice. A relaxing evening with a friend, no expectations.”
    Which one of them was she trying to convince? She could call what they had together friendship all she wanted, but it wasn’t going to change a damn thing. Nick wanted her, and he was prett y sure she wanted him back.
    He wanted to tell her about his past. He just didn’t want to bring it up right now. Not with her looking like a dream come true in the softly flickering light. Tomorrow. He’d tell her tomorrow, for sure.
    “Nick, tell me something about you I don't know.”
    Startled at how close their thoughts coincided, he kept it light, wanting to see that sparkle again, “Well let’s see now…I shave in the shower. Kill two birds with one stone right? And I abhor broccoli, actually anything green. If we were meant to eat green shit, we would be walking on four legs, that's my theory.”
    “Nick!” She chuckled, her lips tilting up so that her cheeks rounded out like two plump apples, and her eyes crinkled at the corners. “Don’t tell Jess that, vegetables are very good for you. Makes a body strong, you know.” Then, as her gaze wandered over him just long enough to make him sweat, “Okay, maybe not everyone needs them.” She admitted, admiration glinting from her glorious eyes. “And what you do in the shower is your business. I was talking about something from your past. Do you have any brothers or sisters? Are your parents still alive? Have you ever been in love?”
    It was easy to think they were two people out on a date, enjoying each other’s company with no obstacles between them. He only wished that were true. “You should be a reporter. Okay seriously, I thought I was in love—once. It never worked out.” His hands fidgeted with the wine glass. “No brothers or sisters. My old man ran off years ago, no loss there. And my mom lives in a senior’s condo in Florida. She loves it; they have weekly Bingo nights, craft nights, singles nights. She never has time to get bored, it's good for her.”
    W anting a chance to hold her close, he stood. “I'm not nearly as smooth as Romeo there was, but give me a chance and I'll try not to step on your toes?” He hadn’t danced in years, and hoped like hell the music would be slow.
    Hesitating only long enough to stop his heart, she smiled, and grabbing onto his hand, pulled him out to the floor as a great old song his mom loved, “Till We Meet Again”, by Doris Day began to play.
    S he settled his arm securely around her waist and holding his other hand close between them, rocked from side to side, doing interesting things to his equilibrium.
    “Listen for a minute. Do you hear that?” She hummed along with the melody, her sweet voice stroking him from the inside out. “That’s what we’re going to move to.” She nodded towards an older couple he’d noticed her watching