Page 82 of Kiss and Make Love

“He was only looking out for you, sweetheart. But damn, if I didn’t hate having to stay away from you all these years. Sure, you’re a little all over the place, but?—”

“Watch it now,Gabriel,” she warned.

“But if I have to spend every day for the next month, the next year, proving myself to you, I will. Because you’re mine.”

Gabe cradled her face with his hand, meeting her lips in a soft kiss. She returned his gentle touch, lips parting to invite him in. She melted into him, and his tongue tenderly stroked hers. Letting out a quiet moan when he nipped her bottom lip, she inched her head back, and he traced his lips along her jaw.

“Am I yours?” he whispered, ghosting his mouth over her ear.

“Yes, Gabe. You’re mine.”

GABRIEL

He could hardly keep his hands off June the entire rest of the trip. Whenever he had the opportunity, he had a hand resting on her thigh or holding her slender fingers as they spent the time getting to know one another in more detail. The car ride was like one of those nights you see in cheesy movies where the guy and girl stay up all night talking about everything under the sun. Except in their case, it was the middle of the day and on the highway.

A massive weight had lifted from his shoulders when she’d utteredyes, you’re mine. He was pretty damn sure he’d messed it up earlier, but thank fuck he didn’t. If he wasn’t mistaken, June seemed lighter, too.

The funny thing was, he didn’t feel the least bit nervous about talking to his boss when they returned to Vancouver. Actually, it was a surprising relief to be free from the constant concern of grinding every minute of every day for the foreseeable future. He was content to stay where he was and forge ahead in life with June. He only wished he would’ve made the leap sooner.

She helped him see there were more important things than work, opening his heart again to the possibility of sharing a life with someone. He hoped he could help her in equal measure.

The way she lived was unorthodox compared to what he wasused to. Not even June would disagree. But it was carefully orchestrated and worked for her, and he hoped he could bring some stability to her everyday routine.

They pulled into the parking garage at St. Boniface Hospital many hours later. June finished talking with a nurse on the phone while he found an open spot to park. From what he could gather, Matt was continuing to improve and remained in fair condition. Visitors could see him. June was bubbling over with relief at the prospect of seeing her brother.

When she hung up the phone, Gabe cupped her cheek in his hand and drew her in for a kiss. Arousal ran straight through his body when she opened her lips to his. It was so similar to their first kiss—right here in these seats—but so different.

This time, she was ready for him. She didn’t freeze up at his touch. They moulded together like this was what they were supposed to be doing the whole damn time they’d known each other.

To think of all the years he’d wasted orbiting her life, hanging on the outskirts, because of a silly pact and the consuming need to get ahead in his career. He cursed at himself. She was the windstorm that swept into his life and disrupted his heart. And as much as he’d told himself that wasn’t what he wanted, it turned out it was.

He broke away from the kiss and looked at her smiling face. “Should we go in?”

She nodded and hopped out of the car. “So…think you’ll let me drive Betty White on the way home?”

He gave a playful scoff, grabbing her hand on the way into the hospital. “Not a chance, sweetheart.”

She shrugged. “Worth a try.” Looking down at their intertwined fingers, she added, “Do you think it’s smart to let Matt see us together like this, considering what you promised him? I don’t think a heartattack would be a welcome addition to his injuries,” she teased, but the worry lines on her forehead were unmistakable.

He stopped in front of the main doors and pulled June off to the side. “I know this won’t be easy. Neither of us wants to see Matt laid up in the hospital. But I’m here for you—anything you need. And if you want to take this slow, we’ll take it slow. We don’t have to tell Matt about us today. I’ll follow your lead, okay?”

June’s misty green eyes gazed back at him. “Okay. We’ll see how he’s doing and take it from there, but I don’t want to lie to him.”

“Who knows, maybe he’ll take it well? I’ve always bugged him about how hot you are. Why do you think he made me promise you were off-limits?” He winked and made his way through the front doors, glancing back to see her staring at him, mouth open, unmoving. He couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Come on, sweetheart.” He gestured at her to join him and gave her shoulders a tight squeeze as they approached the front desk together. “Let’s go see Matt.”

The Speed Date

Bad dates make great stories.

-Kindra Hall

“You get two minutes with each date, so use your time well,” Lauren, the event organizer, called out into the dark.

This was a ridiculous idea. How did I let my sister talk me into this?

“Every three dates, you will pause and fill out any necessary notes on the iPads to your right.”

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