Free Run to You by Rachel Lacey Page B

finished eating.
    The sun had dipped below the mountaintops, and their table was lit by a votive candle. She sighed as she stared into its flickering depths. “If this were a real date, you would so be getting lucky tonight.”
    *  *  *
    Ethan choked on his wine. “That is a damn shame,” he said when he’d finally regained the ability to speak.
    Gabby giggled. She was tipsy, maybe a little past tipsy, and it only made her even sexier.
    He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “I wouldn’t have pegged you as the type to put out on the first date.”
    Her eyes widened, and her pretty lips pursed. “Well, I’m not.”
    “I bet guys have gone to a lot of effort to woo you, Gabby Winters.”
    She gave him a puzzled look.
    “Come on. What’s the most extravagant thing a guy has ever done to get your attention?”
    She frowned, then her eyes brightened. “There was one guy in college who sent a dozen roses and some chocolates after our first date.”
    That might be romantic by college standards. “How old are you?”
    “Twenty-seven.”
    “Please tell me some guy since college has done something more romantic for you than have flowers and chocolates delivered.”
    “I guess my dating life is boring. Sorry.”
    “Well, shit, don’t apologize. Absolutely nothing about you is boring, so the problem definitely lies with the men you’ve dated.” And he really wanted to change that for her. He wanted to show her just how desirable and amazing she was, how a real man should treat her. But with the attraction simmering between them, he was already toeing a fine line he didn’t dare cross.
    She shook her head, and a lock of hair fell across her face. She swiped it back. “No, I think it might just be me.”
    “Not a chance. You’re exceptional.” He leaned closer. “You’ve probably got your dream date all planned out in your head. Tell me.”
    Gabby’s breath caught, and she sucked her bottom lip between her teeth. “This is pretty nice. This restaurant.”
    “It’s nice. But I want to know your most romantic fantasy date.”
    Her eyes fluttered shut. “The beach,” she said softly. “Candlelit dinner on the beach, just the two of us. And afterward…you know.”
    “Sex on the beach,” he said.
    Her lips curved in a smile, and she nodded. “And maybe even skinny-dipping. I’ve always wanted to go skinny-dipping.”
    “Goddamn, Gabby. You are the opposite of boring.” And holy hell, he was so turned on right now, his whole body ached with it.
    Her eyes flew open, and she pressed a hand over her mouth. “I can’t believe I just told you that.”
    He grinned. “That was hot. You are hot. And if a guy doesn’t tell you so, then you need to show him the door.”
    She ducked her head with a shy smile. “Thanks.”
    Gabby’s smiles were his weakness. They gave him a boost like a PowerBar after a long swim. When she smiled, she projected all the sweetness that made her so irresistible but with a hint of something wicked beneath, like she had a naughty side she rarely let anyone see.
    “I have an important question.” He said it with absolute seriousness, even though his intent was to lighten the mood. And shift the conversation so that he’d be able to stand up from the table without embarrassing himself.
    “Okay.”
    “Pie or ice cream?”
    She giggled again, and the sound of her laughter was definitely not helping the situation in his pants. “This place does a mean pecan pie, but the ice cream shop around the corner is pretty great, too.”
    “I’ve always been partial to ice cream,” she said.
    “All right then. Ice cream it is.” While he paid the bill, she went to the ladies’ room. He met her downstairs and took her hand to walk back outside.
    The night was balmy, not too hot or too cold and not even all that humid. A perfect night for strolling down Main Street with a pretty girl on his arm.
    “This is awfully romantic for pretend.” She leaned against him, and at