Austin wasn’t sure what to say, so he only asked, “Why?”

  “I’m twenty-three. You’re twenty-seven. Nothing much has changed from that long-ago day when you said you’d never marry me. I figured it was time to let you off the hook.”

  An edgy sort of panic ignited in his gut. “You said it was already decided.”

  “Guess I don’t know as much as I thought I did.” No, that wasn’t right. Cory never second-guessed herself. Hell, he’d grown used to the idea of them. Used to her always being around.

  Used to her wanting him.

  Used to the idea that it was inevitable, that someday they’d be a couple—because she’d said so.

  “It’s my own fault,” she responded, to a question he hadn’t asked. “For years, I thought of you as mine. The thing is, when I was younger, I wasn’t as adept at interpreting the jumble of emotions and images in my head. I liked you. I thought you were funny and cute. I enjoyed your company.” She turned her face to the side. “You seemed so perfect to me, maybe I just daydreamed about marrying you, and then it felt so real . . .”

  Heat went up his neck, turning his voice to a low grumble. “I’m far from perfect, and you know it.”

  “I guess. But you are gorgeous.”

  He had no idea what to say to that.

  “Girls have always thought so,” she went on. “And you’re strong, with really solid shoulders, and muscular thighs—”

  “Cory.” The way she mentioned his thighs, the intensity with which she looked at him there while speaking, felt like a special type of foreplay. “I work in construction. Being fit is just part of the job.”

  “You’re also really nice. And everyone knows you’re dedicated to your family.”

  “You’re just seeing what you want to see.”

  Her mouth twitched. “Should I add modesty to that list of qualities?”

  Snorting, Austin denied that claim. “I’m not modest.”

  “No reason to be.” She laid the flower aside. “The thing is, I liked your imperfections as much as the rest of you. Mom always told me that no one was perfect, but that when I found the right person, I wouldn’t mind the flaws too much.”

  His brain was still stuck on when you meet the right person. He thought he was the right person. Was Faith trying to talk her into other guys?

  Cory’s gaze met his. “I never minded your flaws.”

  Being accepted like that . . . it was far too appealing.

  She looked away. “I’ve known for a while that you don’t feel the same.”

  Though she didn’t actually move, Austin felt her withdraw, if not physically, then surely emotionally. He wanted to get closer, to touch her. To bring her back to him.

  Her smile went crooked. “I guess it just took me a little longer to accept it.”

  “And if I don’t accept it?” Wait, what? Austin flattened his mouth, appalled that he’d said such a thing.

  Not that Cory seemed to give any credence to his words. The look she sent him claimed bullshit.

  And damned if that didn’t fill him with new resolve.

  “I’m planning to relocate,” she said, knocking him off his feet again.

  So Luna had been right about that? With air in short supply, he wheezed, “You’re leaving Visitation?”

  “I want to start over—new job, my own place.” She glanced at him. “Dating.”

  What? Oh, hell no.

  As if it didn’t matter much, she said, “Everyone here knows me.”

  “Of course, they do.” They knew her, liked and respected her.

  “They know what I am, too. Now that I’ve decided to block people—”

  So she wasn’t just blocking him? She was completely denying her ability? He didn’t want that. Cory’s talents were an integral part of her. Like Luna’s big heart and Joe’s protectiveness.

  “—I can start new,” she said. “So far, I’ve looked at jobs and apartments in Raleigh.”

  Screw that. “Raleigh is too far away.”

  “A few hours.” Negligently, as if it didn’t matter, she stared off at nothing in particular. “Wherever I go, I promised Mom I’d visit a lot.” Slanting him a look, she said, “But you wouldn’t have to see me when I’m here. We could both get on with our lives.”

  Slowly straightening, Austin narrowed his eyes. “What if I want to see you?”

  As if instructing a nitwit, she said slowly, “But . . . you don’t.”

  No, he hadn’t. Or at least he hadn’t admitted it. But that was when he thought she’d still be around—and didn’t that make him sound like a selfish ass?

  Firmly, he said, “Yes, I do.”

  Her brows lifted. “You don’t even like me.”

  “The hell I don’t.”

  Both Cory and Sully gave him curious looks. Yeah, he’d just growled out that denial. Way to win her over, idiot.

  “I like you, all right?” Unfortunately, for as long as they’d known each other, he’d been critical of her ability, seeing it as a liability instead of a valuable asset.

  Damn, he’d been a total dick. Good thing Luna had convinced him to go after her, or she might have moved away without even telling him.

  As if he’d surprised her, she continued to give him appraising looks. “Mom wanted me to give it a few more weeks. I sort of promised her I would.”

  Thank God. He released a tense breath—and immediately started figuring out how to convince her to stay. “You still have your job at the school?” Cory worked with kids who needed a little extra help in kindergarten and first grade. Her compassion and empathy made her ideal for the position.

  “I won’t quit until I’ve found something new.”

  So he still had a little time. “No big rush, right?”

  “I already have a few feelers out for jobs. If one of those comes through—”

  “I agree with your mom.” Growling again. He really needed to get a handle on that. Sawing his teeth together, Austin struggled to sound more reasonable. “Give it a few weeks.” There. That was better. For good measure, he added, “Promise me.”

  Obviously confused by his admittedly abrupt turnaround, she frowned. “I don’t understand you.”

  He barely understood himself. All he knew was that he didn’t want to lose her. So why not tell her?

  Needing her to believe it, Austin stared into her spellbinding eyes. “I want you to stay.”

  In a barely there whisper, she asked, “Why?”

  Damn, good question. Unfortunately, he didn’t yet have a good answer.

  He was saved when, with perfect timing, Sully began to snore. They both looked at the dog.

  They both smiled, too.

  Needing a minute to sort his thoughts, Austin put a hand on the dog’s ruff. “He swam with Raine while I ran the shack. Guess he wore himself out.”

  “He’s getting older.”

  “Ten,” Austin agreed.

  “Thirteen,” she corrected—then winced. “Sorry. I didn’t mean—”

  “You know his age?” When she looked away, guilt burned through him. Had he done that to her? Made her ashamed of her gift? Without thinking it through, Austin touched her arm, and that quickly regained her attention.

  Her skin was soft and warm. He wanted to curl his fingers around her, brush his thumb over her to absorb more of that softness.

  He wanted to touch her everywhere. Kiss her everywhere.

  He suddenly wanted that with consuming greed. Fascinated, unmoving, Cory stared first at where he’d caressed her, then at his face. He saw her swallow.

  Such a reaction. Maybe she liked the connection as much as he did. Hoping so, willing to build on that possibility, Austin retrenched enough to keep her at ease.

  Sully seemed like a safe enough topic at the moment. “You remember when I found him sitting there in the middle of the road with a too-tight collar around his throat?”

  “Yes.” Her gentle voice soothed the awful memory. “You two were perfect for each other.”

  “I remember you telling me that.” She’d told him a lot that day, including the information that Sully had escaped a neglectful owner and would be much happier with him.

  It was one of his favorite revelations, because now he and Sully were best buds. “Did I ever thank you for that?”

  “No.”

  He couldn’t resist smoothing back one long, winding hank of hair. “Thank you.”

  Cory bit her lip. “You’re welcome.”

  Seeing he’d unsettled her, Austin moved his hand back to the dog. “Thirteen, huh?” Older than he’d realized. No wonder the old guy was tired. “I’m glad you told me.”

  Watching him closely, she nodded.

  “So.” He looked her over. “What else did you see? About us, I mean?” Why had he never asked her before? Sitting here now, talking under the shade of tall trees with birds singing in the background, it seemed the most natural thing in the world.

  Cory looked back down at the partygoers. “It was a mistake, telling you that we’d marry. It made you defensive and angry.”

  “We were both so young then.” Dog hair now stuck to the skirt of her sundress, and perspiration put a sheen on her cheekbones. The heat enhanced her delicate scent, and he unconsciously breathed deeper to get more. He noticed every little thing about her, liking it all, and his voice went a little huskier. “We’re not kids anymore.”

  He watched the slow rise and fall of her chest as she breathed, the hypnotic way she continued to pet Sully.

  Crazily enough, he was a little jealous of his dog.

  “Mom often warned me that I needed to temper what I revealed.” Her lashes swept down, hiding her eyes. “So many times she’s given me good advice. Unfortunately, I didn’t always listen.” She turned that dark, riveting gaze on him. “Now, I’m trying to be different.”

  Meaning she wouldn’t give him any other details? Unable to accept that, Austin dropped his attention to her mouth, and that’s where it stayed. “I don’t want to be seen as a mistake.”

  “I didn’t mean . . .”

  Hoping to convince her, he said again, “Tell me what else you saw.”

  Instead, she dusted off her hands. “You don’t really want to know, and I should be getting back.”

  When she started to rise, he wrapped his fingers around her slender forearm, not to restrain, but to entice. “Stay,” he implored. “Just a little longer?”

  Blinking in surprise, she settled back. “You really want to hear this?”

  The smile took him by surprise, but he suddenly felt good, all because Cory would stay. “Yeah, I do.”

  As if she didn’t quite believe him, she searched his expression. “I’m trying to let you go.”

  Knowing it was his own fault, he took that one on the chin. He’d taken her for granted. She had every right to walk away, but he’d do what he could to change her mind. “So did you see us getting married? Or did you only assume we would?”

  She breathed a little harder.

  Yeah, he knew he’d thrown her. The force of his emotions threw him, too, but Luna had made it clear what she thought, and he trusted her with all his heart.

  It felt destined. Him and Cory.

  The connection.

  More.

  So he stayed put and waited.

  After an uncertain exhalation, Cory shook her head. “No, I didn’t see a wedding, but I did see us on the lake with a small cottage built on the land your parents own, between where they live and where my parents live.” She pointed. “Over in that wooded spot.”

  Incredulous, Austin stared at the plot of land she indicated. “I’ve been planning to build a house there. I’ve already talked to Joe about it. There’s a natural clearing—”

  “With a stream,” she added. “And a lot of trees behind it.”

  Stunned, Austin stared at her. “I’ve never mentioned it.” Not to anyone.

  She gave a self-conscious shrug. “You didn’t have to.”

  Because she’d seen it. Amazing, talented Cory.

  Excited by the prospect of his plans becoming reality, he grinned. “Tell me more.”

  She hesitated, but not for long. “There’s a giant boulder with a tree growing off the side. You’ll build your house near it, because you like it.”

  “As a kid, I used to climb that rock, pretending it was a mountain.”

  A smile flickered over her mouth. “You figured one day your own kids would play on it.”

  “You’ve seen all that?” he asked, subtly shifting over a few inches.

  She brought the flower to her nose. “Luna will insist on clearing a path between the houses, because she’ll want you to visit often, and vice versa.” She teased the flower over her lips—and teased him in the process. “You’ll insist on a nice wraparound porch so you can sit out there in the evenings and enjoy all the wildlife.”

  “With a view of the lake?” That was his plan. Did she know it?

  “Not the main lake, no, but you’ll overlook the winding cove. Tall pines on the other side will give you privacy. The biggest fish loll there. Snappers, too. It’s scenic, so you’ll create a footpath to it, with a dock and a fishing boat, a couple of wooden chairs.” Expression guarded, she glanced at him and smiled. “It’s pretty.”

  What she described was totally accurate to what he’d envisioned. “You said my kids would play on the big rock?”

  Apprehension had her gaze skipping away.

  When she said nothing else, Austin gave in to the urge to get nearer. Bracing one hand on the other side of Sully brought him near enough to take the edge off his need. “Will you tell me about them?”

  “I shouldn’t.”

  Because he wouldn’t have those kids—unless he had them with her? With a nudge, he encouraged her. “C’mon. Tell me.”

  A little breathless, she asked, “You’re sure you want to hear it?”

  He might not have Cory’s ability, but he was a man, and he felt the chemistry arcing hotly between them. Better yet, he knew she felt it, too. “I’m sure.”

  Tentative, she let a heartbeat of silence pass before giving in. “You’ll have two sons, and like you, they’ll love the water.”

  With the back of his knuckles, Austin brushed her jaw, over her neck, then her shoulder. Her softness drew him again and again.

  Clearly puzzled, she watched him—but didn’t move away.

  I’ve got you now. She might not admit it, but she liked being touched as much as he enjoyed touching her. Each contact ratcheted the tension a little higher until he felt her anticipation of what would come next.

  “No little girls?” With dark twisting curls and big soulful eyes. Why was he suddenly so sure there would also be a girl?

  She looked away without replying.

  “Cory.” He trailed his fingers along her collarbone . . . and his voice went husky. “Who’s their mother?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Bull.” Wanting to kiss her so badly made it difficult to think of anything else. “Tell me.”

  “No.”

  Fine; for now, he’d focus on the boys. “Do they have my blond hair, or is it dark like yours?”

  A slight trembling gave away her emotional struggle. She stared straight ahead. “You don’t want to do this, Austin. You’ve been clear on that.”

  Ignoring that weak protest, he moved his hand to the back of her neck. She was so physically delicate . . . and so emotionally strong. At least in most instances. Here, now, with him, she seemed incredibly fragile.

  And he knew it was his fault. But he would fix things. Somehow. Honesty would be a good start. “I think one will look like me—and the other like you.”

  Denial tightened her features, and suddenly she blurted, “You’ve never even kissed me!” To emphasize his hold on her neck, she shrugged beneath his hand. “This is the first time you’ve really touched me. How the heck do you think we’d have kids when—”

  Leaning in, he whispered, “I’m going to kiss you now.”

  “Now?”

  That squeaky voice told him he’d surprised her yet again. Instead of denying him, though, she stared at his mouth . . . and wavered closer.

  “You want me to.” Unable to resist a second more, Austin lightly brushed his mouth over hers. Warm but fleeting. A tease.

  A promise.

  Against her lips, he growled, “Don’t you?”

  For an answer, she reached over Sully and grabbed his neck, smashing her mouth to his, giving a vibrating groan as she did so, almost making him laugh—and disrupting the dog’s nap.

  Grumbling, Sully sat up, forcing them apart.

  After a glare of censure, the dog crawled out from between them, turned a tight circle, loudly licked his chops multiple times, and collapsed again with a huff.

  Through it all, Austin stared into her eyes.

  Neither of them blinked.

  Breathing harder, Cory licked her lips. “That was—”

  “A start.” Without the dog as a barrier, he lifted Cory over and onto his lap. “Let’s try this again.”

  “I don’t understand—”

  Taking control of the kiss this time, he started light and easy. His lips to hers. Pressing, holding. Her warm breath accelerated. Her fingers contracted on his shoulders.

  His Cory was a powder keg of volatile need.

  One arm around her back, the other over her waist, he kept her close and lightly touched his tongue to her parted lips.

  It wasn’t enough.

  Turning his head for a better fit, he nudged her mouth wider, licked in, explored.

  And finally, he tasted her the way he really wanted.

  Lord, she was hot.

  For a second or two, Cory went still, just absorbing the kiss, accepting it. But that didn’t last. She wasn’t a passive woman who didn’t take part in life. Not his Cory.

  Making a small sound of hunger, she fisted her hands in his shirt and pressed herself tighter to him. As she opened for him, her tongue dueled with his and turned the kiss scorching.

  Her eagerness was contagious, pushing him closer to the edge—or maybe it was her addictive taste, the fresh, stirring scent of her, and how it felt to have her rounded backside snuggled in so close.