THE PARK OF SUNSET DREAMS

by Ava Miles

  “Right. I’ll call you later.”

  “Better. Have fun,” Elizabeth said and ended the connection.

  Jane slowed down so she could dig in her purse for her Louis Vitton makeup bag. She pulled out the lip liner she wanted and then sorted through the lipsticks until she found the right shade. Rising in her seat to look into the rearview mirror, she quickly applied the makeup. Elizabeth was right—it did make her eyes light up. Her friend always knew the right shade to use. It was something Jane had come to Harvard knowing very little about. Her father’s image consultants had always done her makeup for public appearances or political photos. She’d hated makeup until she met Elizabeth. With her friend, it was pure fun, all about enhancing attributes and playing dress up.

  When she reached the front of his house, Matt and Henry were already standing on his porch. The driveway was clear, so he’d presumably had enough time to stow the SUV in the garage. After snagging his manly water gun and her purse from the passenger seat, she left the vehicle and went around to let Rufus and Annie out. They were so well behaved that she didn’t bother with the leashes.

  “Thought I’d lost you back there,” he said.

  “Nope. All here. Ah, this is your manly water gun.” She held the navy toy out to him.

  The smile he gave her made her melt into a puddle, like snow around a campfire. Of course, Henry gave her an accusing look.

  “Sorry, kiddo,” she told him, rubbing behind his ears. “If you obey, your master here won’t have to use it.”

  “Let’s hope,” Matt agreed. “Thank you.”

  “No problem.”

  She glanced around then, taking in the sight of his house. Like hers, it was a two-story, craftsman-style mountain lodge with three triangles in natural wood siding piercing the roof. The center one arched above the porch, showcasing an impressive window that would soak in the waning Western light and sunset. The main difference between their homes was the extra stone that ran along the foundation and then up his porch. Her own porch wrapped around the right side, allowing for a breathtaking view of the surrounding forest and mountains. His second story also had a few more windows than hers did, and the main body of the house was painted a rugged tan while hers was a deep sage.

  “I like it,” she said.

  “You should. Same style mostly. Let’s head indoors and get the dogs some water. You’re probably thirsty too.”

  When the door closed behind her, she shrugged off her coat. His hands stilled for just a second while he was taking off his stocking cap, and the heart that was already jogging in her chest raced forward in a full sprint. She’d suffer a thousand moments of frozen legs if he looked at her like that again. With appreciation. Like he was seeing what he liked.

  Her Inner Woman roared.

  “Make yourself at home,” he said, unclipping Henry’s leash as she unzipped Annie’s coat.

  Henry danced away before Matt could wipe his paws and immediately bounded over to the sofa and jumped on it. “Dammit, Henry!”

  “Use your water gun,” she gently suggested.

  “Right. This is going to be fun. He’s going to be a moving target, so my aim will have to be solid.” He palmed the gun and advanced. “No. Off the couch. Please.”

  The earnest way he gave the dog a second chance made her heart beat faster. Of course, Henry blew it. So Matt squirted him. “I said, ‘no.’”

  Henry stared at him for three seconds before jumping down.

  “Great! It’s a minor victory, sure, but I’ll take it. Believe it or not, I used to have nice furniture.”

  As soon as he said that, she saw the chew marks on a nearby antique chair and the claw marks on the back of his leather sofa. She wouldn’t have tolerated that one bit.

  “I’ve been wondering,” she asked. “What made you get a dog?” And keep it, she almost asked?

  “Let’s go into the kitchen and get some drinks while I tell you the story.”

  He filled two extra bowls for Annie and Rufus and set them down. Annie pranced over and rubbed her head against Matt’s shin.

  “That’s her way of saying thank you,” Jane informed him.

  Leaning down, he stroked the hair sticking up wildly from the top of her head. “You really are the sweetest dog ever.”

  “So, Henry…” she reminded him.

  “Let me order pizza. What’s your preference for toppings?”

  “Fully loaded.”

  “Oh, a woman after my own heart.”

  Jane could practically feel herself floating off the ground. He ordered their pizza and then gestured to his wine cooler. The machine was a good brand, but it only held twenty-four bottles.

  “Mine is bigger,” she commented and then snapped her mouth shut. Great. She’d unintentionally insulted his manhood again.

  He smirked. “Oh, how I’d respond if I hadn’t been raised to be a nice guy.”

  “I didn’t mean…” she felt compelled to say.

  “I know. But you do seem to have a preoccupation with my Inner Alpha, so let’s address that right now. I’m going to have to kiss you.”

  Her hand flew to her throat as his words sent a shockwave through her body. “What?”

  “I’m going to have to kiss you,” he said, a new gleam in his eyes.

  Determined sensuality had never looked so hot.

  “Oh, well, if it’s to prove a point…” Heck, he could prove that point whenever he wanted.

  “And there’s also the fact that I want to.”

  She could work with that.

  The line of his shoulders seemed broader as he crossed the kitchen toward her, making her pulse beat harder, faster. God, he really was ridiculously handsome, she thought as those arctic blue eyes scanned her face. And that half-cocked smile he wore, as though he were going to enjoy putting her in her place, made her want to swoon.

  She stood there, waiting for him. When he was mere inches away, he cupped her cheek and then let his fingers trace her neckline. Her breath huffed out, and she was moments away from throwing herself at him. But he wasn’t going to lurch in and give her a smacker like so many of her first—and last kisses—had been with other men. That was clear from his deliberation. No, Matthew Hale was intent on making sure she never questioned his Inner Alpha again.

  He lowered his head, his eyes never leaving hers until the moment his warm, soft lips grazed hers. Her lids fluttered shut, and she was standing there, waiting for more pressure, when Matt suddenly plowed into her. A quick look revealed it all. Henry had jumped on him from behind and was barking in loud bursts.

  “Dammit, Henry.”

  Great. A hot kiss interrupted by a misbehaving dog. Wasn’t that just her luck?

  “I’m sorry I ran into you.” Matt cupped her cheek. “Are you okay?”

  She only nodded.

  “He’s earned himself a Big Squirt.” And with that, her would-be kisser grabbed the blue water gun.

  Henry instantly raced off, Matt chasing him out of the kitchen.

  Annie pawed her ankle, and when she looked down, she could swear the sweetheart was saying, girl, I feel ya.

  A door slammed in another part of the house and then Matt stormed back into the kitchen.

  “Let’s try that again,” he said, tossing the water gun on the counter as he strode toward her.

  Determined. Intense. Hot.

  He yanked her to him and pressed his mouth firmly to hers. The heat of his body, the urgency of his kiss had her eyes closing immediately. Awash in her senses, she heard his rasping breath as he changed the angle of their kiss and nibbled at the corners of her mouth. She smelled spice and pine from his cologne. But most of all, she felt his hands as they slid across her hips to nestle her more tightly against his rock-hard body, his warm lips still claiming her mouth.

  Her hands slid up those strong, muscular arms, and she rose on tiptoes to tunnel her hands into his thick hair. He hummed against her mouth as she kneaded the back of his neck with them, wanting him to take thei
r connection further, deeper, darker. When his tongue slid across her lips, she opened her mouth to tangle with him.

  The kiss turned into pure fire, its heat spreading the more they fed it with their dance. A delicate pass here. An urgent twirl there.

  Dear God, did he know how to kiss, and she never wanted it to end.

  She moaned before she could hold back, and his thumb grazed the side of her mouth where they were fitted together. Stroking. Stroking. Stroking.

  His teeth nipped her bottom lip and then his mouth left hers, grazing down her cheek. “You have the most incredible cheekbones.”

  She’d always thought they were too arched for her face, so the compliment made her glow. “Glad you like them.”

  “And then there’s your eyes…” His mouth continued its sensual trek across her face, igniting fires on her skin now.

  “They’re big,” she whispered lamely and pressed closer, realizing all this talk was making her self-conscious.

  “They were the first thing I noticed about you,” he murmured, nipping her jawline.

  Okay, no one had ever done that, and she rather liked it. She angled her head back to give him better access.

  “That’s probably because all I had on was a hat.” What were they talking about?

  His chuckle sent her nerve endings aflame. “That’s not all you had on.”

  Oh, so he was funny. “True. Streaking through the park would be a terrible idea. Plus, it’s winter.”

  “It won’t always be,” he said, his voice husky.

  She rose even higher on her tiptoes and ran her nails down his neck, applying gentle pressure. Elizabeth always said it was a move that drove men wild.

  His groan confirmed her bestie was always right about these things.

  “Oh, I like that,” he whispered. “Do it again.”

  She used a little more pressure this time, and he groaned as he took her mouth in a rough, hot kiss. This time there was no dance. It was a hot press of tongues, which made her feel bold and brave. Desired.

  When he finally released her mouth and leaned back, his wicked smile and the knowing glint in his eyes made a grin break out on her face.

  “Hi,” he simply said, his voice all husky.

  “Hi,” she answered, and to her, her voice sounded hoarse. Like it wasn’t sure what to say.

  “You just keep surprising me, Jane,” he said in that same sexy voice.

  Her grin might have grown wider at that. She liked surprising people in ways they didn’t expect. Growing up, she’d always been chasing her parents’ perfect persona for her. It wasn’t until college that she’d started to become her own person.

  “I’m glad.”

  He rubbed a finger over her cheek and then stepped away from her. “So, how about some wine?”

  When he turned around, she rubbed her throat. Okay, time to act normal again. But her head seemed to have fallen off her body, and she was suddenly grasping for conversation.

  Fortunately, he didn’t think it was odd that she didn’t reply. When he bent over in front of the wine cooler, she had a fantastic view of his firm butt, which she’d loved watching at the park even before they met. Most men had flat butts, Jane knew, but not Matt. His muscular curves flat-out made her salivate.

  “You’re staring at my butt, aren’t you?” he asked, and she could hear the smile in his voice. “I know you used to check me out at the park before me met.”

  “Well, it is a nice butt,” she said, and then thought, Oh God, did I just say that?

  He laughed and withdrew a bottle. She was so busy staring at him that he had to waggle the bottle to grab her attention.

  “Earth to Jane. I know you have pretty fine taste when it comes to wine, but this is the best I can do. It’s not Châteuaneuf-du-Pape.”

  “Don’t be silly. I love Freemark Abbey,” she told him. “It is a beautiful winery too. Have you ever been?”

  “Yes,” he replied. “I love going to wine country. San Francisco is my favorite city in the U.S.”

  “Mine too,” she said, and wanted to rub her hands together in delight at this additional evidence of their suitability.

  He brought out some lovely red wine glasses and then uncorked the bottle with quick efficiency.

  “You use a waiter’s corkscrew,” she commented, crossing over to him. Now she could stand close to him without feeling awkward. Kissing had changed the whole personal space ratio between them.

  “Yeah, all those other ones on the market are way too complicated.”

  Her Inner Wine Diva danced at that. “Yeah, sometimes simpler is better.”

  He poured her an ounce of wine as if they were at a tasting. “Madam.”

  She laughed at his impression of a stuffy French waiter and picked up the glass, twirling the red liquid briskly, eying the fingers trailing down the glass. Then she breathed in the scent and closed her eyes. “Blackberry. Cherry. Leather. Spice. Oh, this is a good bottle.”

  When the wine flowed into her mouth, it seemed to soak into her the way rain soaked into the earth. Yes. This. Galileo was famous for saying “wine was sunlight, held together by water.” And he was right, for with every taste of wine, it felt as though good things were going to happen. Like the first rays of sunlight always promised.

  “Wonderful,” she finally pronounced, the purr in her voice there for a different reason now.

  “I could watch you drink wine all day,” he murmured, and the hushed tone in his voice, one she now recognized as desire, made her eyes pop open wider.

  “That might get boring,” she said and rested the wine on the counter. “It’s only wine.”

  “I doubt it. I’d love to go to a wine tasting with you, but I don’t think I could handle it.”

  It took her a moment to understand what he meant. The joy rising in her made her feel more alive than she had in years.

  “Oh, that would be terrible.”

  “You’re what we call in my family an imp. But a lovely one.” He reached for his wine and performed his own ritual, swirling it, breathing into the glass, and then taking a sip. “It is really good wine, but it’s not a Châteuaneuf-du-Pape.”

  “Few are. And you can come over and have some anytime you want.” Well, that was bold, even for her.

  His eyes turned slumberous. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  The doorbell rang. “Pizza time.”

  “Do you want me to let Henry out while you get it?” she asked.

  “He’s in the garage,” he said. “Down the hall.”

  She retrieved Henry and leaned down and talked to him about being a good dog until he stopped dancing around and finally sat. When she emerged with him, the dog immediately lunged for Matt. He had to hold the pizza box over his head while Jane grabbed Henry’s collar.

  “No. Down.”

  Matt shook his head. “Cripes, I thought doggie time-out would work, but it seems like we still have a problem. He’s out of control.”

  “He’s still just a puppy, but you’re right. He needs more discipline.”

  “I really am trying.”

  She stroked his arm when he set the pizza on the counter. “I know you are. Be patient. We’ll have him in ship-shape.” Best not to add, in no time, because that seemed farfetched.

  “Inside or outside for him, oh mighty dog whisperer?” Matt asked. “I don’t want him causing trouble while we eat.”

  “Does he have a crate?”

  “Yeah, in the mudroom, but it’s almost impossible to get him in there, and I hate caging him up.”

  “People have different views on that, but honestly, I think it makes them feel safe. So let’s get him in there and quiet him down. He’s just overexcited. Sometimes having new company over does that to a dog.”

  “Or being a numbskull.” But he patted the dog’s head gently. “Henry, you do try my patience.”

  “We’ll get Annie and Rufus to help him into the crate.”

  She called her dogs, and together, they led Henry in
to the mudroom. His muscles bunched when he saw the crate, so she kneeled down and stroked him, murmuring to him softly. Matt leaned against the doorjamb, his shoulders slumped. It wasn’t hard to feel his frustration.

  It took her a solid five minutes, but Henry finally went into the crate. She locked the door and then looked at Rufus and Annie.

  “Stay.”

  They both plopped down beside Henry’s crate, heads on their paws.

  “I know I’ve said it before,” Matt said, “but you amaze me.”

  She rose and followed him into the kitchen. He pulled out some plates, silverware, and water glasses, and she helped him set a cozy corner of the enormous farm table in his mocha-colored dining room.

  “That’s a pretty big table,” she commented.

  “I have a big family, so when I bought this house, I wanted to be prepared for guests and family dinners. My mom doesn’t need to do all the hosting.”

  “Must be nice to be from such a big family.”

  He set their wine by their plates. “It is.”

  When he brought the pizza box to the table, she sat to his left and dropped a napkin in her lap. Waiting to see if he was going to use silverware to eat the pizza, something her family would have done if they’d ever lowered themselves to order pizza, she grabbed her wine.

  “Something wrong?” he asked.

  His perception was a bit unnerving. “Ah…I was waiting to see how you were going to eat your pizza.”

  His brow furrowed, so she added, “you know, with your hands or a fork.”

  “Hands work for me if that’s okay with you.”

  “Perfect.”

  “I forgot to ask if you’d like a salad.”

  “No, this is fine. I’m not much into salads.” And she took a bite of the loaded pizza.

  “Another reason to like you,” he said. “My sister, Caroline, would be horrified. I think she subsisted on salad all throughout high school.”

  “That’s sad,” Jane said as she plucked a piece of sausage off her pizza and popped it into her mouth. Her mother had made her do the same. It was a polite meal, she’d say, and it would ensure they didn’t gain any extra pounds for the cameras.