Free Hometown Hero (Hometown Alaska Men Book 2) by Joleen James

last night."
    "Nope, I'm good." At the door, he said, "Don't hesitate to call me, for any reason. I don't mind."
    She met his stare, her blue eyes full of gratitude.
    "Thank you." She went up on tiptoe and kissed his cheek.
    Her lips felt like velvet against his skin, and it took all his willpower to keep from hauling her against him and kissing her full on the mouth. Instead, he gave her a nod and let himself out.
    The air wasn't as warm this morning and the freezing temperature helped put out the fire brought on from the brush of Tawney's lips on his skin.
    Once home, he crashed on the bed, but sleep eluded him and in its place was a Vegas showgirl with a bright pink aura.
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER EIGHT
     
     
    "How do you think it went?" Tawney asked Liv. Her first dance class was done. She'd followed Liv's lead, learning the routines along with the girls. Near the end of class, Liv had let Tawney take over. The class of seven three-to-four year olds had loved Tawney. Teaching tap to little girls wasn't new to her. She'd taught little budding showgirls in Vegas for over five years. For Tawney, just seeing those little cuties dance had done things for her psyche nothing else could have. Innocent, sweet girls, eager to learn and play.
    For the first time in forever, Tawney felt like she was worth something and she didn't want to let that feeling go. These new feelings stacked themselves on the back of Rick's apology to her. She'd still been high on that apology when she'd walked into Karma Fitness that morning.
    "You did great," Liv said, taking a seat at her desk. "I knew you would."
    "Thanks. I thought it went well, too. I have some fun ideas. I'm going to Anchorage to get a couple of things I think the girls will like. Things that will inspire them to pay attention and have fun."
    Liv looked up from the stack of papers on her desk. "I like that. You have initiative."
    "Why wouldn't I?" Tawney asked. "I love to dance."
    Liv smiled. "You working your other job today?"
    "Yep, I have enough time this afternoon to grocery shop and get a couple of errands done before my shift."
    "Busy girl."
    "Thanks to you, Liv." Tawney put her coat on. "See you on Wednesday."
    "I'll be here," Liv said, her attention back on the stack of papers on her desk.
    Tawney let herself out. On the sidewalk, she paused and took in a bit hit of clean Alaska air. Her gaze tapped on the surrounding mountains, white with snow. Beautiful.
    She zipped her jacket and started for the store.
    A Jeep rolled up alongside her. Rick.
    He lowered the passenger window. "Good morning."
    "Hi." She leaned down to see in the window. "What's up?"
    "How was your class?" His jaw appeared freshly shaven, the five o'clock shadow he had after his night shift absent.
    Her heart sped up. "Fantastic." She smiled. Satisfaction replaced her crazy emotions for him. "The girls were great. Adorable."
    "I'm glad," he said, the words warm. "Want to keep me company? I'm taking a quick run to the cabin to change out the washers in a leaking faucet."
    She shook her head. More than anything she wanted to go with him, but to what end? Being with him was like a form of torture. She wasn't the right girl for him; he'd made that clear once already. "I need to grocery shop."
    "It will take two hours, tops, round trip." He gestured her inside. "Come on. You've seen the cabin before. I've done a lot of work on the interior. It would be great to show it off. And you've been nowhere since you hit town. Aren't you the least bit curious about what's out there?"
    Tawney hesitated. Common sense warred with her impulsive side. So far Rick had been a gentleman, not giving her false hope. Dare she think they could become friends? If so, she could use all the friends she could get.
    "A drive in the country," he coaxed. "Fresh air minus the smell of fish. Pristine, sparking snow, not the muddy stuff stacked up in town. Egrets so white you can't see them in the snow-covered trees."
    She laughed. A