Kiwi Nathaniel Dunn is in a fighting mood, but how does a man fight Wellington’s famous fog? In the last year, Nate’s lost his longtime lover to boredom and his ten-year job to the economy. Now he’s found a golden opportunity for employment where he can even use his artistic talent, but to get the job, he has to get to Christchurch today. Heavy fog means no flight, and the ticket agent is ignoring him to fawn over a beautiful but annoying, overly polite American man.<br><br>Rusty Beaumont can deal with a canceled flight, but the pushy Kiwi at the ticket counter is making it difficult for him to stay cool. The guy rubs him all the wrong ways despite his sexy working-man look, which Rusty notices even though he’s not looking for a man to replace the fiancé who died two years ago. Yet when they’re forced to share a table at the crowded airport café, Nate reveals the kind heart behind his grumpy fa?ade. An earthquake, sex in the bush, and visits from Nate’s belligerent ex turn a day of sightseeing into a slippery slope that just might land them in love.

Sunset at Pencarrow

Once again, the slowing of the Subaru woke him, and he saw they were pulling into the small seaside town of Eastbourne. He was a little surprised to find the place really did have a certain charm. They were only across the harbor from Wellington proper, he knew, but it seemed a different world. Rusty let Nate play guide as they moved past landmarks, and the shy, soft-spoken way in which he did it seemed kind of cute—although Rusty mentally checked himself.


Not sure cute is the right kind of word for a rough-hewn sort of guy like Nate.


And sweet—yeah, I’ll call it sweet.


Nate parked the Subaru in one of the angle-in spots that lined Rimu Street, in what must be considered downtown Eastbourne. Directly in front of the car was a tiny shop—suitable for the tiny street—that sold gelato and coffee. Rusty stared fixedly at the coffee sign, and Nate must have seen him, because he laughed.


Chapter 33