As if he did it every day, he put his arm around her shoulders and they walked out of the barn toward the back yard. At the big oak surrounded by picnic tables, he drew her into the dark shadows of its branches where the moonlight didn’t penetrate. He tossed his jacket onto the nearest picnic table. They were completely hidden under the umbrella of leaf-covered arms. With his free hand, he cupped the nape of her neck and pulled her face closer to his. Spellbound, Hallie didn’t protest. He blew at the wisps of her hair and watched it dance, then inhaled. “You always smell so clean. Your scent haunts me.” He ran his fingers through the blonde strands then watched it drop back into place. “I’ve wanted to touch your hair from the first time I saw you.”

“Simon, I don’t--” His touch was gentle, mesmerizing. She should put a stop to before it got out of hand. But heaven help her, she didn’t want too.

“Ssssh. Let me kiss you. That’s all I want is to kiss you.” His eyes burned with passion as he looked down at her. “You feel it too, don’t you?” He leaned closer and rubbed his check against hers. “The fire that bursts to life each time we touch. I’ve tried to deny it for days, but it’s futile. You invade my mind night and day.”

His breath was warm against her ear causing shivers to run up her spine. “Let’s see if it’s as explosive as I think it is.” He kissed the side of her mouth, and then nuzzled her right ear. With his lips, warm and moist, he explored the side of her neck, kissing, nibbling, stroking with his tongue. “Come burn with me, Hallie.”