Free Love Promises (Sully Point, Book 4) by Nicole Smith

took him through the plans. Eric was impressed by
their goals, and that they were actively doing something for the Sully Point
area. He'd like doing something for others that would help and make a
difference.
    Sam dropped Eric off back at the cabin. As soon as
Sam was gone, Eric grabbed some clothes to wear to dinner and took them to his
car. He was on the phone to Maggie as he started driving toward her apartment.
    "I'm on the way over," he said.
    "Now? Okay, I need to clean some stuff up
first."
    "Are you doing some kind of craft
project?"
    "How do you know--Sam! Yeah, I was."
    "Keep it out. I want to see what you're
into."
    She agreed and they ended the call. The rest of
the drive Eric spent reminding himself to be sound impressed no matter what her
arts and crafts project looked like. He'd never really liked homemade projects.
    Maggie opened the door to him a few minutes later.
Her curls were sticking out in all directions, like she had spent time tugging
at them in frustration. He walked in and set his extra clothes on a chair, then
turned to grab her and kiss her. He'd wanted to do that all day, and the kiss
deepened as he felt himself falling into that great feeling of closeness to
her.
    At last he lifted his head and gave her a big hug,
lifting her off the ground. She started laughing.
    "What are you doing, you crazy man?"
    "Loving you," he said without thinking.
    Then they both froze as it registered what he'd just
said. Maggie slid through his arms to land on her feet and stare at him.
"What did you say?"
    "Uh, yeah. That wasn't what I was expecting
to say."
    "You must be one impulsive guy," she
said with a bit of a smile.
    He frowned. "I'm not, though. I usually think
things through very carefully. But since knowing you, I'm breaking all my
rules."
    "And does that bother you?" she asked
tentatively.
    He looked at her and smiled. "Not at all. It
surprises me, but I like it."
    "Good."
    He looked past her to see a quilt spread across
the sofa. "What's that?"
    "It's a Christmas gift for Joshua, Sam and
Anna's little boy."
    Eric walked over and lifted a corner of the quilt
to examine it closely. He was surprised at the professional looking quality of
it. "Maggie--this is good. Really good. The stitching is exquisite. You
did it by hand?"
    "Most of it, yes. I just finished the satin
edging today. It was a pain to do. Here, I'll show you Jennifer's." She
spread another one out and he stared at it.
    "How long have you been quilting?"
    "Oh, gee, probably since I was twelve or so.
My grandmother taught me."
    "Is quilting the only craft thing that you
do?"
    "No, I'm into other stuff. Decoupage, macrame,
cross-stitch, really any kind of needlework, a few others. I find it very
relaxing. I've always had a busy mind, and this type of work settles me down. I
bet it's like playing the guitar is for you."
    He nodded. "Yes, that makes sense."
    She folded up the quilts and put each one in a
tissue paper-lined box. "I'll wrap them with the others nearer to
Christmas."
    "More quilts?"
    "Nope. But don't ask me what. I want the rest
to be a surprise," she said with a grin at him. She stacked the boxes in a
closet, and then asked him if he wanted anything to drink or eat.
    "I had lunch with Sam at the Diner, so I'm
all set. There's only one thing I want right now, something I've been thinking
about for hours."
    A rosy blush crept across her cheeks, and she
said, "I have had a few thoughts myself."
    He walked across the room to her and picked her up
in his arms. As he walked to the bedroom, she reached a hand up to caress his
face. That one touch of her hand set him on fire.
    They undressed quickly, looking into each other's
eyes. There was a steady, strong flame of desire that grew until they were
lying next to each other on the bed. Suddenly he was kissing her passionately,
his hands running over her body.
    As she kissed his neck, he murmured softly,
"I love you, I love you."
    She stopped for a second. "Really?"
    "Yes, really. What do you