Part 3 (1/2)

”Place up in Greenville.”

”They deliver that quickly?”

He grinned, sending her heart into overdrive. ”Nah. I drove there to pick them up.”

”You drove an hour there and back just to bring me flowers?” she asked, dumbfounded.

”Yes,” he simply said, as if it wasn't anything to him.

But it meant the world to her.

Lemon cleared her throat. ”Say thank you,” she whispered.

Harper's eyes widened. How rude she must sound to question him like she was. ”Thank you. They're beautiful. If you'll come inside, I'll just put them in water and then we can go.”

”I'm ready when you are,” he said, stepping inside.

But was she ready for him? That was the question of all questions.

Chapter Three.

All it had taken was a thirty-minute car ride to the beach for Austin to realize that he was utterly charmed by Harper. It was like she'd put a spell on him. There was no other way to describe it.

Once again, when she smiled, he couldn't help but do the same. When she walked inside the restaurant, he made sure to keep one hand on the small of her back. He hung on her every word, even while she talked about things he had no idea about, like lesson plans and common core curriculum. Apparently, the latter was the bane of teachers, students, and parents' existence everywhere.

But what he did know... she loved her students. The way her eyes glowed and her voice softened when he'd asked about the kids in her cla.s.s. The way the corners of her mouth would curve into a sweet smile when she described their triumphs in reading and math.

Where had she been when he'd been in school?

”Excuse me?” Harper asked, blinking up at him.

He set his beer down. s.h.i.+t. He'd actually voiced his question. ”You're so pretty and nice... and I'm know you love your students. I didn't have very many-who am I kidding-I didn't have any teachers like you when I was in school. Pretty sure I would have paid attention better if I had.”

An auburn brow rose. ”Pretty sure that wouldn't have made a difference for you.”

He was taken aback from a moment. ”Really? Do tell.”

She grinned at him over her drink. ”You strike me as the type who did as you pleased and that was that.”

Narrowing his eyes at her in a mock glare, he asked, ”Have you been talking to Mrs. Bakerson?”

Biting her lip, she shook her head. ”Didn't have to. It's obvious you're a flatterer.”

”You don't like it when I mention how gorgeous you look tonight?”

Her cheeks bloomed with color. ”Compliments make me uncomfortable.”

”The flowers didn't,” he pointed out.

”The flowers were beautiful and unexpected.” Taking a sip of her wine, she sat back and glanced around the interior of the restaurant. ”Having dinner at The Magnificent Dunes was also unexpected.”

The stately resort built practically on the dunes facing the Atlantic Ocean was a favorite of his. A place he liked to go in the off-season to relax and get away from it all. There was something about the ocean that called to him. Beside, whenever he was here, no one cared who he was. The staff left him alone while paying attention to his needs, and the other guests minded their own business as well.

”I didn't bring you here to impress you.”

Harper jerked her gaze to his. ”Thanks?”

”That's not what I meant.” He leaned forward. ”I came here because no one cares who I am. Back home, everyone would have stared at us and interrupted our dinner. To be honest, my brothers would have kicked my a.s.s for taking a woman out to a bar for a date.”

”I wouldn't have minded, but I understand your need for privacy.” She glanced to one side. ”This might sound a little silly, but when I go out, all eyes are on me. It's like I'm not supposed to be anywhere but in my cla.s.sroom. And Lord help me if one of my students spots me in the grocery store buying toilet paper.” Wincing, she sighed. ”Not that you needed to know that.”

”Trust me. I know all about that. Once had a reporter follow me right into the men's' room. d.a.m.n near came into the stall with me,” he griped. ”Had to do a one-eighty and drive home just to take a pi-well, you get the picture.”

And that's how we get women to fall at our feet.

Hey! She brought up toilet paper first.

What are you-twelve?

Harper laughed, a clear, lilting sound that made his gut clench. ”Sorry, but that's very...” She cleared her throat. ”Very... awful?”

”Inconvenient,” he supplied, not bothering to hide his grin.

The server brought their entrees, baked salmon for him and stuffed flounder for her.

Just as she was about to leave, Austin grabbed his phone. ”Do you mind taking our picture?”

Smiling, the woman said, ”Of course not.”

Austin scooted in closer to Harper, wrapping his arm around the back of her chair. She turned to him, the scent of her shampoo mouthwatering.

”What are you doing?”

”Making sure I don't forget how beautiful you look.”

Her lips formed a perfect O, and he had to fight the urge to kiss her. Never in his life had a woman made him feel so out of control. With great effort, he turned to face the camera and smiled. Hopefully, Harper had done the same.

”You two are a very cute couple,” the server said as she handed him his phone.

”Thanks.” Pocketing it, he scooted his chair back to his side of the table and gestured to Harper's plate. ”Ladies first.”

”I really hope this tastes as good as it looks and smells,” she said before taking a small bite. Her eyes closed. ”Heavenly.”

He stared at her for a moment, wis.h.i.+ng like h.e.l.l he could be the one to put that much pleasure in her tone. Be the one to make her eyes close and- Stop it. Remember what you said to Tristan. Remember what you said to yourself. One date and then all business on Tuesday.