Hershey's Choice

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Hershey's Choice Page 15

by Darlene Fredette


  Phyllis raised an eyebrow and glanced sideways.

  Nathan shrugged. “How is that enlightening?” He stepped forward.

  “Ryan doesn’t dance.” Britt leaned and reached across the table. She grabbed Phyllis’ shoulders then kissed her cheek. “Thank you.” She bent to retrieve her purse. “I have to see Ryan.”

  Nathan wrapped his arms around Britt in a tight hug. “Go find your man and fall in love.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Ryan grabbed his truck keys from the kitchen counter and rushed to the front door. In a hurried sprint outside, he didn’t see the arrivals until too late. One brushed past his legs and another hit hard against his chest. The sudden impact stole his breath.

  She bounced backward, falling onto the walkway. Her butt hit the concrete with a thud.

  He recognized the floral scent. “Are you okay?” He extended a hand.

  “Ouch.” Britt rubbed her backside. “That’s a bruise.”

  Hershey pushed past Ryan to cover Britt’s cheek in doggy kisses.

  Bending, Ryan wrapped an arm around her back and the other under her knees. He carried her into the house and gently placed her on the sofa. “Are you in pain?”

  “No, my pride hurts worse than my butt.” She leaned on the pillow he placed at her back. “I should have been paying attention.”

  “You’re not to blame. I wasn’t watching where I was going.” He pushed an unruly lock of hair behind her ear. Britt’s return had to be a good omen. “I’m sorry.”

  “I’m sorry,” she said, glancing around the room.

  “Are we still talking about your cute behind?” He laughed, and she joined him.

  Hershey sat beside the sofa, nudging Britt’s arm with his nose. She acknowledged his presence by scratching his ear.

  Ryan claimed a sitting spot next to her legs. “I didn’t know Dawn—”

  “I know.” She reached for his hand. “I suspected something wrong as soon as I saw her. If I’d been thinking right, I should have released Hershey.” Britt frowned. “Did he mangle her shoes or pee on her leg?”

  “No such luck.” Ryan squeezed her hand, thankful to have her by his side. Where she belonged. “Nothing happened. You must believe me.”

  “I do.” She wiggled closer, nestling her head on his chest. “Dawn probably got great satisfaction from seeing me run. I wanted to stay, but needed air. I couldn’t breathe.”

  “Totally understandable.” He rubbed her back. “She claimed to be jealous of our relationship. Her actions are unforgivable.” The time had come. He had to share his feelings. “Dawn said I never looked at her the way I look at you. I told her, that’s because I love you.”

  Eyes shooting wide, she gasped then opened her mouth to speak.

  Ryan placed a finger over her lips. “I love you, Britt Wells. I don’t need six months or a year to recognize how special you are. We’re perfect together.” He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her fingers. “That first day at the park, I asked Hershey for help. You were Hershey’s choice.” He patted his dog’s head. “And mine.”

  Silence filled the room.

  He hoped to have his love acknowledged and reciprocated, but wouldn’t pressure. Ryan knew she cared. “You don’t have to say anything.” And she didn’t. The smile on her face and the twinkle in her gaze said everything.

  Britt leaned forward and pressed her lips to his.

  Ryan wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close. Her lips moved over his, first soft then demanding. Emotions ran wild. He felt his hand tremble on her back. “I love the drawing,” he said when they came up for air.

  She jumped from the sofa, her eyes squeezing shut as she stood. Britt placed a hand on her lower back before turning to the mantel. “Dad wouldn’t show me the completed picture.”

  “I couldn’t have asked for a better gift.” He’d forever cherish the masterpiece sketch of his best friend. Ryan followed Britt to the fireplace, placing a kiss on her head. A floral scent teased his thoughts. “Thank you.”

  Britt snuggled into his arms. “I didn’t believe love existed, until I met a boisterous bear and his arrogant owner. You made me hope for a happy-ever-after. I fell in love, and I expect a storybook ending.” She smiled, staring upward with raised eyebrows.

  “Your prince and brown stallion will make certain, my lady.” Ryan trailed lingering kisses on her neck, along her cheek, and stopped over her lips. She melted against his chest and pressed her lips to his. He curled his finger through her ponytail as their tongues danced together. Several minutes later, she rested her forehead on his. All he could see were her beautiful brown eyes, nothing more. Pure heaven.

  “Should you be leaving for work?” Britt ran the palms of her hands up and down his back.

  “Ah yes, my surprise.” He wiggled his nose against hers. “The problem at work has been solved. I’m all yours. The weekend starts a day early. We’ll lock the door.” He winked. “And shut off the phone. No interruptions.”

  “I have a better idea. Why don’t we escape to the cottage? Dad is golfing this weekend, so we’ll have the place to ourselves.” She glanced at Hershey who was leaning his large frame on their legs. “Barbeques, swimming, and lots of squirrels to chase.”

  Hershey’s ears flickered at the mention of one of his favorite words.

  “We’re sold.” He walked her to the sofa. “You rest your cute behind. I’ll get a bag packed and fill the cooler.” Grinning, Ryan gazed into the eyes of the woman he loved. Thank you, Hershey.

  ****

  Two hours later, Britt lounged on the cottage deck. A warm summer breeze caressed her skin. Ryan insisted she rest before lunch. Earlier, rushing to his front door, running smack into his chest, and falling on her butt had been most humiliating. Embarrassment still stained her cheeks. The heated flush could also be from the fire burning inside. Loving Ryan made her giggle like a silly girl, caused her toes to curl, and eased the pain on her bottom cheeks.

  Her cell phone rang on the table beside her. She answered the call and chatted with her father. Frowning, she pressed End and released a heavy sigh.

  “What’s up? Need another pillow?” Ryan closed the lid of the grill.

  Inhaling the smoky barbeque scent from his shirt, she tilted her head to receive his kiss. “Dad.” She wiggled the phone in her hand. “He found the note I left on the fridge.”

  “He’s on his way to counsel me on the birds and bees?”

  “Worse.”

  “What’s worse than having the talk with your father?”

  “Nathan and Dylan will be here this evening.” She wanted to kiss away Ryan’s deep frown. “Dad didn’t know we were coming. He gave Nathan his key to the cottage.” Britt was thrilled Nathan had made a friend in Dylan, but a guys’ fishing trip this weekend? Give me a break!

  Ryan ruffled a hand through his hair. “We have to find those two girlfriends.”

  “At the top of my Monday to-do list.” Mentally, she sifted through her small list of female friends. Finding matches for her best friend and Dylan wouldn’t be easy, but a definite must.

  His grimace turned into a devilish grin

  “You’re not upset we’re having company?” She raised an eyebrow.

  He climbed onto the lounge chair, towering above her. “We have a couple of hours before they arrive?” Ryan cupped the sides of her face in his hands, nibbling her bottom lip.

  “Yes.” Britt gave into the urge and allowed her hands to travel under his shirt and to the tight muscles of his chest.

  A gentle kiss brushed her lips, then a whisper in her ear. “We’ll have to make the most of those few hours.”

  Britt glanced over Ryan’s shoulder. Hershey’s attention was fixed on a pair of squirrels in the tall spruce tree. They’d keep him busy for a little while.

  Pulling Ryan tight against her body, she ran her tongue across her lips. “I like the way you think.” The weekend may have taken a slight sideways turn, but this feverish moment of cuddli
ng and kisses would be the first of many.

  A word about the author…

  Darlene lives with her husband, daughter, and Yellow Lab on the east coast of Canada.

  An avid reader since childhood, she loves to put a pencil to paper and plot out stories of her own. Her writing is a combination of heartwarming, contemporary romance and plot-driven page-turners.

  When Darlene isn’t writing, you’ll find her reading, visiting the Valley, or sitting outside by the fire pit with her family on a warm summer evening.

  Read more from her at http://www.findingthewritewords.blogspot.com/

  ~*~

  Other titles are:

  Law Of Attraction

  Twist of Faith

  Thank you for purchasing

  this publication of The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

 

 

 


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