Page 24 of Ten Kisses

"Because you know why. That wasn't… it's not… part of that deal."

"Why not?"

"Because that was something different."

"No it's not, that's still the deal," she said smiling and shaking her head at him. "You're just all wrapped up in the moment right now. Tomorrow you'll wish we took it from the total."

"No, I won't," he said stubbornly.

"You need to stop," she said, pushing at his arm.

He reached for her. "Stop what? Come here."

"No, Salem, this is too much. You're all handsome out here with your sawdust and your beautiful things you make. You can't start kissing me like that and saying things that make me think you like me, Salem. It gets my hopes up."

And then he was kissing her again.

Her voice had been vulnerable, and her tone and words had been like some sort of invitation. He could do nothing but lean in and start kissing her again. And goodness, did she kiss him back.

It had never been like this between the two of them. This was new. It was a different type of exchange, and Salem didn't know what it meant. He didn’t know what any of it meant.

Chapter 9

Molly

Something had gotten into Salem.

This kiss was different than any that had come before it.

We kissed for a long time.

We stood there in his shop for what must have been fifteen minutes—maybe longer.

He was completely irresistible, and I was all hot and bothered because of it. I felt weak in the knees and rosy-cheeked.

The weirdest part was that he hugged me afterward. He embraced me.

That was happening at the moment.

He leaned down and rested his face near mine, holding me gently. I took in a heavy sigh, and he pulled back and stared at me.

This was new. He stared at me like he was seeing me for the first time. He touched the side of my face, and my heart was beating so fast that it felt like it wasn't beating at all. Salem let his fingertips run down the side of my cheek, from my temple to my jaw, the whole time staring at me like he thought I was beautiful.

This man was traditionally handsome.

I stared into his sparkling eyes, and then the spot where his eyebrow met his straight nose. Then I glanced down to his mouth before my eyes met his again. His gaze was roaming over my face as well. The whole moment was breathtaking.

I had to remember to breathe.

The smell of wood was in the air, and I loved it. We were in his shop, and it seemed he was working on two large wooden panels. I knew by the shape of the cutout that one of them was his mantle. "What's that other piece?" I asked, nudging my head toward the second piece.

I stepped away from him and straightened my shoulders, getting myself together.

"It's all the mantle," he said.

He stepped away from me as he spoke, and I watched as he noticed something on his shirt. He turned to the side and lifted it to dust it off. I saw his stomach when he did it. Maybe he wanted me to see it because he glanced at me after he did it. Those abs. That was what construction did for you. I only caught a glimpse of it because I didn't want to stare.

"I know, but what's this piece?" I said, pointing at the other giant slab of wood.

---