Page 19 of Charm Me
“I could, but what fun would that be?” My voice was raspy and deeper than usual. She inched closer to me and I could feel her breath graze across the hairs of my beard. Every bit of me wanted to slide my hand around her neck and pull her lips to mine.
She didn’t turn away from me. Every signal she sent was begging me to touch her, to kiss her, to make her mine. I had no idea what was happening between us other than this insane chemistry that continued to draw us together. But where would chemistry leave us on Sunday when I flew back to Montana? I liked her, that I knew for sure. But just how much I liked her wasn’t yet clear to me.
I pulled back, gripped the steering wheel, and growled. It was getting progressively harder to honor her request to keep my distance. I saw her shoulders drop out of the corner of my eye. She was having the same struggle as me. If I hadn’t sat back in my seat, she would have kissed me.
I started the truck and turned my gaze back to Zoe. “Where are we headed?”
She rubbed her hands over her face, and I could see the hint of frustration in her eyes. Dammit all to hell. I was equally as frustrated, and at this rate, I wouldn’t make it through the day without kissing her.
“I think we’ll start with Grady Smith. He owns Rockledge Rafters just at the edge of our property along the river. We have a couple cabins near his base of operations, and he’s benefited greatly from my parents’ rental properties. I think he’s the best example of a great local partnership that you could look for back in Watercrest Falls.”
“Sounds good, point the way.”
It took about ten minutes to maneuver our way through the side winding road along the outer edge of her parents’ farm. It was a forested road close to the river. We passed a couple small cabins that looked occupied. “Are those the rentals?”
“Yes, a couple of them. These are almost always occupied. People love the privacy and closeness to the water. All these along the river have docks for those interested in renting canoes or kayaks from Grady. Boating on the lake at sunset is a favorite of tourists year around.”
The trees opened up and Rockledge Rafters appeared on the right. I pulled into the parking lot and parked along the side of the building. A young man about the same age as Zoe walked out the door with a huge grin on his face. Zoe’s smile grew as she hopped out of the truck and ran to give the man a hug.
“Zoe, it’s been too long since you’ve been home for a visit.”
“It’s good to see you too, Grady.” She stepped back and looked around her like she was expecting someone else. “Where’s Missy?”
“She manages the diner now. She told me you’d better swing by there for lunch. She misses you.”
“Good thing it’s on my agenda, then.” The joy on Zoe’s face was remarkable and it was a look I could get used to seeing on her more. She turned to me and waved me over. “Grady, this is Wyatt Strong, the client Daddy told you I’d be bringing by.”
I reached for his hand and his shake was sturdy and friendly. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Likewise. Mike said you were considering a similar operation on your ranch in Montana.”
“Yes, Zoe has made an interesting proposal. This is a new concept for us, and I’d like to see some of the business functions in action.”
“Well, Zoe is brilliant, and her suggestions have saved so many businesses around these parts. She won’t steer you wrong.”
Zoe’s cheeks turned three shades pinker and she shifted her face away from us.
Grady chuckled. “Now don’t go acting like you don’t know what I’m talking about. We were all ready to fold before you convinced your parents to convert some of their land and build those cabins. Tourist come here now instead of staying in Ithaca. I’ve got eco-tours scheduled daily and had to add more guides to help.”
“Sounds like you’re doin’ well, then.”
“Better than we’d ever hope for. Missy, that’s my wife,” Grady added for my benefit, “used to help me run the place, but the diner couldn’t handle the business boom without bringing someone in to manage the madness. So they hired her. Two other farms followed suit and added a few cabins to handle the demand. We’ve got new specialty shops and grocery stores in town that add to the appeal. It saved us and we have Zoe to thank for it.”
She shrugged her shoulders. Her modesty added to her attractiveness. Was there nothing about this woman that wouldn’t make me want her more? “I was just doing my job.”
“And a damn fine job it was. Come on, let me show you around.” Grady winked at me and squeezed Zoe’s arm before he led us down a path to the river.
The more I learned about Zoe, the more mesmerized I was with her. In addition to all the other things I’d already learned, she also had a heart of gold. She genuinely cared about people and it was a quality I admired most of all. I was dangerously close to losing sight of my purpose and reasons for being here and turning all my attention to Zoe.
I had no doubt her attraction to me was mutual, but I wasn’t yet convinced she wanted me as much as I was beginning to want her. Her side glances and gentle smiles in my direction were enough to drive me wild, but aside from that almost kiss in the truck, she kept her distance. As long as she did, I’d keep mine too.
For now.