His confession zinged her right in the heart, and hurt at the same time. It had never been like that with anyone else for her, either. But she hadn’t expected him to admit that to her. Especially not now, all these years later.

She still felt it, that sizzling crackle of heat that simmered between them. It was as if could she reach between them, she’d see a sparkle of electricity, that invisible, silvery thread that still bound them. She almost expected it. She feared it, because it had consumed her back then.

Walking away from him had been the hardest thing she’d ever done. Severing the bond with Carter had nearly destroyed her. It was what had kept her away from Hope all these years. The pain of losing him—of what they’d had together—had made her heart ache every day of every year.

So what was she doing here with him now? What was she so stupidly contemplating? Reopening that door would only lead to heartbreak. Was she really strong enough to walk away from him again?

He picked up a lock of her hair, turning her attention to him. “Your brain is working so hard over there it’s practically spewing out smoke.”

Her lips curved. “Maybe.”

“Why don’t you give it a rest and stop thinking so much.”

“Do you have a better idea?”

“Yeah, I definitely have a better idea.”

Tempting, but she wasn’t sure she was ready to take that next step yet. Sitting here with him and talking was one thing. Doing something about it was entirely different. Once she did, that wall she’d carefully erected would fall. Then what would happen?

“You used that line on me in high school,” she said.

“Oh, but I’m much better at so many things now.”

“So I’ve noticed.”

“Have you?” He gave her an expectant look. An irresistible smile.

She hopped off the tailgate and took a walk to the river’s edge.

Carter followed.

Fog had started to roll in, surrounding them in an eerie blanket of white smoke and sending a hush over the night.

She shivered and wrapped her arms around herself

“Are you cold?”

“A little.”

He positioned himself behind her and wrapped his arms around her, cocooning her against his chest. She felt the heat of his body, the hard shock of how much broader he was now than he’d been in high school.

They used to hang out in the park and sit by the pond. He’d pull her onto a bench, snugging her between his thighs, with his arms wound tightly around her. She’d rest her head against his chest. The two of them could sit together for hours and not say a word, just watching the geese. She’d always been so content just being with Carter.

But they were two different people now, and their lives had moved in opposite directions. During her years away from Hope, she’d often wondered what would have happened between the two of them if she hadn’t left. Would they have drifted apart anyway, or would they have stayed together?

She’d never know the answer to that, but here she was tonight, in his arms once again. And she had no idea what that meant. She had no illusions about recapturing the magic of the past, only that she wanted a night where she didn’t have to think about what once was. She knew there could never be a future for them, but why not have one night? Just the present, with no yesterday, and no tomorrow to think about.

She turned in his arms to face him, and just like the past, she knew she didn’t have to say anything. All either of them had to do was touch the other, feel the heat that had always emanated between them.

She was in a hooded sweatshirt but was still cold. Carter only had his button-down shirt on. And God, his body was warm.

“You’re not cold,” she said.

His hands drifted down her back, pulling her closer. “I’m a hot guy, you know.”

She let out a short laugh. She’d forgotten how much he used to make her laugh. She’d spent so much time dwelling on the end of their relationship, focusing only on the negative aspects, that she’d let go of everything good about him.

They had so much fun together. They always spent a lot of time talking to each other. He listened, always managed to center her when her mind was jumbled and flying off in a million places.

His hands lingered, the warmth from his fingers burning into her skin, even through the layers of clothes she wore.

She lifted her gaze to his, and as he lowered his head, she closed her eyes, feeling his breath sail across her lips.

The first touch of his lips was something magic.

Chapter 17

CARTER WENT SLOW, so afraid every movement he made would send Molly running away.

He’d waited for this all night, gauging her mood, every gaze, every turn of her head, figuring that at any moment she’d take off.

But she stayed, and now she sagged against him, her hands reaching out to grasp his arms. He tugged her close and deepened the kiss, feeling the surrender of her body. He read those signs and flicked his tongue against hers, taking in the warmth of her breath, his body tightening with the need for her he’d held in check for so long.

From the first time he’d seen her on the street, everything he’d felt for her all those years ago had been front and center. But it wasn’t just the past, it was now. He’d tried to ignore it, but Molly wasn’t someone you ignored. She was beautiful and fiercely independent, an attractive package wrapped up in a hot body. And maybe because he knew her so well, he was drawn to her in a way even he couldn’t explain.

Maybe he didn’t want to. All he knew was he was tired of fighting it.

No more. Now it came rushing forward, and it was all he could do not to pick her up and carry her to his truck, throw her down in the bed, and take her right there.

Instead, he smoothed his hands over her back, and felt her shiver.

He pulled away. “You’re cold.”

She tilted her head back. “Cold is not what I’m feeling right now.”

“You’re shivering.”

“Maybe a little.”

He took her hand. “Come on.”

He led her back to the truck, started it up, and got the heater going. Not for him, of course, because he was plenty hot.

“Where to?” she asked.

“Not to your place. It’s a little crowded.”

She let out a soft laugh. “Yeah. Let’s not go there.”

He made the drive back to his house a little faster than intended. He didn’t want to seem too eager, but he didn’t want to destroy the mood between them, either. Things between him and Molly were precarious enough as it was. One wrong word, one look, and he was sure she’d run.