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Like it? It wasstunning Margo opened her door and stepped out to the deet grass A distinct chill blew off the mist-covered lake Here on the land, the sun played peekaboo through the leaves of tall trees, but over the lake it shone bright,with the s with crisp, fresh air

Dash got out of the car and, arms folded on the roof, looked at her "It’s always a little cooler here because of the shade and the water"

She shivered, but didn’t want to pull on her coat Moving forward, she ignored the house for the e, peaceful lake It wasn’t that far fro to it al was in the air ildflowers just starting to bloo the shore

She saw no other houses, no other people No sounds of traffic or conversation intruded, only the honking of geese, the trill ofof insects Even as she watched, a large fish did an i ripples across the glassy surface of the lake, forcing the mist to part

Tension seemed to seep ahen she hadn’t even realized she was so tense

Stepping up behind her, Dash put his ar you like this"

He mentioned love so often that she barely noticed anymore "It’s beautiful"

"You’re beautiful" He kissed the side of her neck, his ainst her backside It was incredibly nice to be wanted so et Oliver inside and settled Then I want that shower" A thought occurred "You do have hot water, right?"

"The house stays fully functional, even when I’oods and frozenneeded" He s her forehead where the stitches had been re a tender kiss there "The whole point of a lake house is being able to escape at the drop of a hat"

In so many ways, he touched her heart, made her feel special andloved But she was afraid to think along those lines right now Nothing in their relationship had been noruys," the men anted to protect and care for others He was alpha with a capital A, a natural-born leader What had started out purely sexual had becoainst her

Without those threats, would they have had a blazing affairand then ended things? Dash was thirty years oldand single That had to mean he enjoyed the bachelor life, and God knew he played the field So why should she assuive it soer had ended

If it ever did

She re their attraction, they’d forgotten to use protection Worries added up, tooelse to focus on, she surveyed the house It seerew up around it A stone ay led fro served for the roof while large, rounded stones climbed a very tall fireplace

Dash unlocked the door, then pushed it open "Go on in I’ll get Oliver and our stuff The house has air and heat, but for today I’ll build a fire to war She wandered in The air s in the air She wrapped her arms around herself

The interior was even more impressive than the outside

Natural woodeverywhere The planks on the floor had been polished to a high shine Lighter wood drew her attention to a cathedral ceiling broken only byfans A spacious,area and then a large sitting area, situated around that massive stone fireplace

Dash came in behind her "Main bathroom is the center door There’s a tub and shower Bedrooms are on either side There’s a third loft bedroom up the stairs, with a shower That’s the one I like to use The skylights up therein the stars"

Because kindling had already been laid on the grate, Dash gave her Oliver’s carrier, then went to the fireplace In less than a ht back," he said as he went out the door again

Margo freed Oliver and sat with hi his He allowed that only acertain he wasn’t afraid

Once Dash brought in his bed and food dishes, she took care of setting them up near the fireplace Oliver ate as if he hadn’t been fed in days instead of hours, proof that his upset had waned

The fire quickly war cozy She loved the crackling of the fla

Dash let her dictate the place beneath it After the cat had finished eating, Dash showed hiet, we’ll deal with it"

Sitting on the hearth, Margo watched Dash talk to Oliver as if he understood He entleness--that Oliver comprehended all too well "You’re so patient with hiht? And faht of her dad--and clearly Dash had, too They looked at each other, Dash in apology, Margo in resignation

"I should probably call his their way first"

Of course he was right It had never been easy for her to take a backseat when decisions needed to beso personally involved o, she stood and looked around "I want to see the rest of the house"

"I’ll show you around" Carrying her overnight bag, Dash approached "Where do you want this? Up in the loft, or one of the roo to look at the spiral staircase, she said, "Let’s start upstairs" She went ahead of Dash, anxious for many reasons Awareness of Dash, so close behind her, warmed her as the fireplace couldn’t She could literally feel his gaze on her backside with each step up

Today, though, would be her day She wouldn’t let his her way--and they’d enjoy it

"About that shower," Dash said, his voice low and husky with arousal