“There’s nothing wrong with playing,” she reluctantly admitted. “But we do have responsibilities as adults―to have a job, pay bills, follow the law,” she said, moving closer to him to reach the chocolates. He was holding them just out of reach, and she was growing more frustrated by the second.

It took her several moments before she realized she’d made a point about breaking the law and hadn’t immediately thought of him during the sentence. That took her back. Maybe it was the wine, maybe it was his company, and maybe it was his persistence, but from the beginning of all of this, she’d had her doubts he’d been responsible for killing her brother. Now that she knew him better, it seemed impossible. There was still a small part of her that held him responsible, but there was a bigger part that couldn’t see him ever doing anything that would endanger someone he cared about. Afraid of what she was feeling and thinking, she scowled at him as she tuned back in to what he was saying.

“We have those same responsibilities as children,” he pointed out.

“We don’t have jobs in grade school,” she said. She didn’t realize how close she was getting to him in her attempt to get to the chocolate.

“Yes, we do. We have chores. We have homework we have to get in on time, and we have bedtimes and curfews. We get older and those things are given different names, but we still have to adhere to the rules. But as a child we also have recess, movie nights, and sleepovers. All I’m saying is, it’s okay to be young forever. I can live by the rules, but the day I have to grow up is the day I give up on life.”

His words hit her hard. She’d grown up in an incredibly strict household where if she didn’t listen to her father, she would be punished―and punishment was a spanking by a paddle that had left bruises on her. She’d learned quickly that either you obeyed the head of the household or you paid the price. What if her life had been different growing up? Would she be an entirely changed woman?

“Do you live by the rules?” she asked him, trying desperately to focus on the original task she’d been browbeat into accomplishing when she’d taken the job as his therapist.

He smiled. “Of course I do,” he said with nonchalance.

“Always?” she pushed.

Nick’s smiled faded as he analyzed her expression. She was too tipsy to mask anything she was feeling, making this a really bad time to be asking him any sort of questions, but she also couldn’t seem to stop.

“What are you getting at?” he finally asked. “This seems like a pointed question.”

“I’ve just heard that pilots are reckless and have a God complex. I wonder if you’re the same way―that because you fly a rescue chopper that maybe you might think the job rules don’t apply to you.”

Nick’s mouth set firmly and his eyes narrowed in a way she’d yet to see from him. She might have pushed him too far. A tremble quivered through her. And almost as quickly as his frown had appeared, Nick wiped it from his expression.

“I think you’re getting close to me, and it’s scaring you, so you’re trying to cause a fight by questioning my honor,” he said before his lips turned up again. “Not gonna work. The night has been too perfect so far to allow that to happen.”

Strangely, Chloe let out a relieved breath. She didn’t want their perfect night to get away from them. She pushed away her father’s voice that was a constant sound in her ear. She didn’t want to hate Nick tonight.

“Okay, I concede,” she said, practically sitting on top of him. She hadn’t even realized she’d still been reaching for the chocolates, even throughout their small spat. He finally released the box to her. She ripped off the lid and pulled one out, popping it into her mouth and savoring the sweet tang it left on her tongue. The last of her tension drained away as she chewed.

“I don’t think you do. I think you were just trying to get the candy so you’re agreeing with me,” he said. “Now that you have the treat, are you going to change your mind?” It was a good question. She should say yes, but she was too content to do that.

She chuckled. “Maybe it was that, too,” she admitted.

“Then you must be punished.”

Before she realized what was happening, Nick had her pinned beneath him on the blanket. He straddled her waist and gripped her hands over her head. The box of chocolates tipped over, spilling out on the blanket. She gasped at the injustice of wasted candy.

“Stop it right now, Nick,” she said as she tried to break free.

“I don’t think so,” he said, a wicked smile lighting up his face. It took her breath away. Though he’d been talking about being young forever, the thoughts she was feeling with his warm body holding her down were anything but childish.

“I’m warning you that if you don’t let me go within the next few seconds, I’m going to have to hurt you,” she said, trying to sound stern.

With his free hand, he moved to her waist and she inhaled sharply. His touch against her skin was enough to drive her mad. She’d managed to keep her distance from him for the past couple weeks, but tonight she’d let down her guard. That hadn’t been smart. But for the life of her she couldn’t exactly figure out why that was.

Just when she thought he was about to caress her, his fingers dug into her side. Within seconds, squeals of laughter were escaping her throat as he tickled her.

“What are you doing?” she gasped in between squeals as she tried to buck him off her. Nick was stronger than he’d been when she’d first arrived. If he didn’t release her, there was no way she was going anywhere.