Page 53 of All Because I Found You

He backed away and pushed the door open before stepping aside to let her in. She didn’t hesitate, hurrying into the house as if he might change his mind. There was something going on with him, and she was determined to figure out what it was.

“The cake is super yummy. It’s a lemon thyme ginger with lemon ganache, fresh berry compote, and a cream cheese butter.”

“Whatever happened to vanilla or chocolate?”

“People realized how boring they were and jazzed them up. Flavor makes life so much better.”

“I’ll take your word for it.”

“No.” She snatched the cake from his hands. “You will learn for yourself.” She sashayed into the kitchen, her dress swaying with each step, her heels clicking loudly on the wood floor. “Fork?”

He moved past her and opened a drawer, pulling out a fork and handing it to her. She swiped it from his hand and opened the container the cake was in. “Close your eyes.”

“Why?”

“Always with the questions. Just close your eyes. Please.”

He sighed, but let his eyes slip shut. She forked a piece of cake, but before she gave it to him, she pressed up and kissed him. Her lips moved hungrily against his, and his hand snaked out and grabbed her waist, pulling her to him.

Now this was better. His tongue slipped into her mouth, and she parted, letting her tongue tangle with his before drawing back. “Mmm. That was my dessert. Now keep your eyes closed.”

“This is ridiculous.”

“Shh.” She slid the fork to his lips, and his mouth closed over the utensil. “How good is it? So good, right?”

He shrugged. “Tastes like cake.”

“What? Tastes like cake! Shut up. It does not. It’s divine.”

His hand hooked around her waist. “I like the taste of you better.” He moved into her, his heat surrounding her and making her legs weak. She touched her hands to his chest, enjoying the feel of him beneath her fingers. His head dipped, capturing her lips, and she sank into the kiss, loving the sweet ease that had them moving as one. Her body arched into him, pressing her center to the growing bulge in his pants.

He tasted like lemon and ginger, and she pulled back, licking her lips. “Mmm, lemony.” She blinked up, meeting his gaze. “Now you want to tell me what has your panties in a bunch?”

“Panties? Stick your hand in my shorts, and you’ll see there’s nothing there to bunch.”

Her thighs tingled and her sex throbbed just thinking about his hot length free from restraint and how easy would be to touch him. She found her resolved and kept her distance. “I’d love to, but first tell me what’s going on?”

“Nothing is going on.”

She pressed her lips together, debating if she should let it go or not. But she never knew how to let anything go. “You seemed off when you answered the door. Almost like you didn’t want me here.”

“I lied.”

“About what?”

“About just getting on the road. I was there when you called.”

Her head tilted in confusion, then she realized what he was talking about. “Oh! The corkscrew. Why didn’t you say so? You could have come up to the barn. I would have loved for you to see it in all its glory. Maybe convince you it should be utilized more often.” She gave him a sexy wink, but he didn’t even seem to notice.

“That’s just it… I couldn’t.” He moved away, making the gap between them bigger.

“Yes, you could. Nobody would have minded.”

He thrust his hand through his hair, and her eyebrows pinched above the bridge of her nose. “You don’t get it.” His voice rumbled like a loud burst of thunder, throwing her off balance.

She stepped back slightly but held her ground. “I guess I don’t. What am I missing?” She took his hand, feeling the warm balminess of his emotions. Pain etched the corner of his eyes, his eyes darkening, and she wanted to fix whatever was bothering him. “Tell me. Please.”

The dark storm in his eyes lightened to a slight mist. “I tried. I had the corkscrew in my hand, and I forced myself out of the truck, but once I got close, once I heard the voice, heard someone talking about me and my family, I couldn’t.”

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