His lips left hers, but only to return again…like a flat rock thrown just right, so it would gently skim over the top of a pond. She’d always been amazed by that, and this was just as incredible.

      When Lucky’s lips settled upon hers for an extended length of time her knees threatened to give way all over again.

      As gently and perfectly as the kiss had started—she was sure this time that it was a kiss—it ended, and Lucky once again folded his arms around her and held her tight. She didn’t know when her arms had wrapped themselves around his waist, but they had, and she kept them there, hugging him in return.

      They parted by some mutual silent understanding a short time later. Maddie wasn’t sure what to do, how to react, and wondered if she should be embarrassed, letting him kiss her like that, but couldn’t come up with a reason why. Not when deep inside she was longing to be as close to him as possible. It was strong … similar to how badly she wanted gold.

      But that couldn’t be. She didn’t want anything as badly as she wanted gold.