Free Destiny's Last Bachelor? by Christyne Butler Page B

A wall of solid muscle against her curves. Her breath caught and she found herself staring at her own wide-eyed reflection in his dark shades, suddenly wishing she’d taken a moment to put on her own glasses.
    “Why did you do that?” His words came out in a raspy whisper.
    She could feel the ground beneath her feet—at least she thought she could—but he didn’t let go of her. “Do what?”
    “Grab on to me.”
    “You told me to hold on.” Which was true, but now there was no reason for her to continue to do so. She dropped her hands and he did the same. “Thanks for helping me.”
    Dean took a step back, stumbling over the purse she’d dropped when she’d latched on to him. He bent and picked it up, taking his time rising to his full height, his gaze once again moving slowly over her. He handed her the purse. “I’ll wait out here while you change. You bringing along your little companion?”
    Priscilla blinked and pressed her clutch to her chest. Still breathless from all of this close contact, she fought to understand what he was talking about. “Oh, you mean— No, I don’t think so. I don’t really know anything about the camp and I wouldn’t want him to get lost. I had him out for a walk early this morning, so—” She stopped when she realized she was rambling. She never rambled. “I’m sure Snake will be fine in the room.”
    “Good. I won’t have to worry about my shoes, then. Don’t take too long, okay? It’s lunchtime.”
    She glanced at her watch, noting he was right. It was half past noon. “I’m sorry, am I getting in the way of your next meal?”
    “Nope, because this time you’ll be joining me.”
    Was he asking her out on a date again? “I will?”
    “Me and about fifty or so campers.” He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back against his truck. “In the camp’s dining hall. If memory serves, on Sundays the menu is mac and cheese, sliders with or without cheese, and apple crisp.”
    Confusion filled her. “Sliders?”
    “Yeah, sliders.” Dean cupped his hands. “You know, mini hamburgers? Just the right size for a kid.”
    So she’d never eaten a mini hamburger before? Big deal. Before she could think about it, she reached for his hands and gave them a quick squeeze. “They sound divine. I won’t be but a moment.”
    She let go and turned away, the prickly feeling on her fingers matching the one between her shoulders that told her Dean was watching her every step. She put a bit more swing into her hips as she walked up onto the inn’s covered front porch. Giving in to the urge to confirm her suspicion, she paused and looked back. Yes, he still stood in the same spot, his gaze fixed on her. At least it seemed that way. An unexpected smile creased her lips as she entered the inn and hurried to her room.
    Once inside, she leaned back against the door, pressed a hand to her stomach and released a deep breath. What was she doing? One minute the man was putting his hands on her with an ease and familiarity she’d never felt before and now she was flirting with him?
    She’d only met Dean Zippenella forty-eight hours ago!
    Goodness, up until last week she’d been in a committed—at least on her part—relationship. Her first long-term one since college, as her work kept her very busy. In fact, Jonathan had been the one to pursue her. Relentlessly in the beginning, but once they’d established their relationship, they’d both been so busy with their work and social calendars that they’d settled into...what? Was what she had with her ex so sedate and lackluster that he’d been compelled to find someone else, even if that someone was her sister? Did that explain why she found herself so attracted to—
    A subtle beeping came from Priscilla’s purse, interrupting her thoughts. She opened it and grabbed her cell phone. “Hello?” Silence greeted her. She could tell the call was live, but no one responded. “Hello? Is anyone there?”
    “Hey,