Page 16 of Bewitching the Firefighter

Out of nowhere, my cousin’s twin boys zoom around us, chasing each other before disappearing into the kitchen.

Maddie storms past. “Give me back my toothbrush! Hi, Mr. Lincoln.”

The boys giggle from the playroom. “Boys, give your sister her toothbrush back. Now.”

“Yes, sir.”

Maddie marches past, triumph in her eyes as she holds the toothbrush in the air. I chuckle as the boys follow her, scheming on their faces.

Zane joins us in the living room, where Linc hands him the bottle of bourbon.

“Thanks.” He eyes both bouquets of flowers, nodding his head. “Have time for a drink?”

“Not this time, Zaney. We’ve got somewhere to be. Rain check?”

“You bet.”

A subtle breeze blows across the water, the stars bright in the sky, the moon hiding from view. My fingers tap the stem of the wineglass as the server sets down three generous plates in front of us.

“Thank you.”

“My pleasure.” He nods at Lincoln, then disappears inside the restaurant.

The torchlights cast a soft glow on Lincoln’s features, accentuating his jawline as we sit on the floating dock tethered to the bulkhead pier.

“These are the specials that our chef is working out before we open. Would you like a little of each?”

When I nod, Linc plates butternut squash ravioli, pieces of a wagyu filet flight, and some seared halibut. I try the ravioli first. “Ohmigawd. This is delicious.” I practically growl in food ecstasy as the taste of parmesan and garlic kiss my tongue. Lincoln watches with interest.

We’re at Lakehouse West, an unopened restaurant that sits right on the water of Lake Indigo.

His smile is infectious. “I’m glad you like it. Mason and I spent a year trying to find the right chef. We went to Chicago at a friend’s recommendation and met with several people until we found the right fit. Luckily, we enticed her back to Texas.”

“I’m surprised she was able to accommodate us tonight on such short notice.” I take a bite of the halibut, and decide that’s my favorite.

He waves a fork in the air. “She’s been working non-stop since the building passed inspection and has been wanting to run a taste test. When I asked about tonight, she planned the menu on the spot.”

“Well, I think it’s great that you and your brother are going into business together. The concept for this restaurant is so different.” I motion around us, impressed at the planning that went into everything. “How did you come up with the idea?”

“There aren’t many fine dining establishments here in Indigo Hills. I’ve always loved the water, and it just came to me one day that eating on a floating dock would be a special experience. Mason started hunting for waterfront property, and here we are.” The torchlights dance upon the water’s surface as he gestures widely. “The dock will will be untethered at times, with four tables and a serving station. There will be a prix fixe menu in place with specific reservation times for the dock. It will also host bands and parties.”

It’s impressive, to say the least. Besides being an incredible kisser and amazing to look at, Lincoln West is also smart and driven. We chat and eat, enjoying each other’s company. We talk about our siblings and growing up. He tells me about the steps it took for him to be a driver-operator of a fire engine, including the extensive training plus multiple certifications he holds.

By the time desert is served, I want nothing more than to take him home and have my way with him. It’s fortunate that the chef served banana pudding because it wouldn’t have taken much for me to drag Lincoln away.

Universe help me, every mile of dark Hill Country highway feels like foreplay. By the time we pull up to my door, my hormones are plotting a very un-librarian-like evening.

“Would you like to come in?” He takes in the entrance—the doorway.

“That would be great.”

I open the door, and when we both step inside, he takes in my living space. It’s its own apartment, kind of like a mother-in-law suite, with a kitchen, living room, and bedroom. He follows me down a short hall that opens into the living room and dining room space. It’s one large open room that has a living room and a dining table next to the open-concept kitchen.

I set my purse on the table, turn around, and fling myself at him. He catches me, lowering his head immediately, our lips meeting in a slow, delicious kiss. This time it’s slow yet heady, with each of us clinging to the other. Our mouths open, our tongues tangling, our lips sealing a promise neither acknowledges. He pulls away, placing his knuckle under my chin, tipping it up.

“I want you to know that I have never kissed anyone. I’ve never felt this way when kissing anyone. You are smart, witty, and so freaking hot I’m going out of my mind.”

His hands lower to my bottom, where he squeezes my cheeks. I mewl at the same time a guttural moan escapes him.