Page 67 of Stealing Home

“He was a very smart man. I miss having talks with my dad like that. Sometimes I wanted to call him for advice, but then I remember I can’t.”

“I get that. I kept my mom’s phone on for a month after she passed so I could hear her voice. There’s still one voicemail saved where she tells me happy birthday and she loves me. Every year I listen to it.” She tells me with a sad smile.

“That’s so special, A. I love that you have a piece of her in that way.”

“Me too. It’s something I could never delete.”

“Stand up, woman.” I tell her not leaving room for a debate or question.

Adriana gave me a look of who are you talking to like that but moves to get up. Before she can cross her arms over her chest, I pull her into me for a hug. She wraps her arms around me, head on my shoulder, and I squeeze her. She understandsa part of me that no one that I’ve dated since my parents passed away does. The conversation was deep and emotional, but tells me that this isn’t just a surface level attraction for either of us.

This hug is for both of us. We’ve lost key parts of our lives but carry them with us every day. It feels refreshing being able to speak about my parents with someone other than Ty and Heather. I kiss the top of her head. In my mind, it’s a way of saying thank you.

She lifts her head from my shoulder and smiles at me. The look in her eye makes me think she is having the same thoughts. Adriana pulls back a little, not out of my arms but she pulls her arms from around my waist and moves them around my neck. She has to stand on her tippy toes in order to get me to bend a little towards her.

“You just might be my game changer, Casanova.” She says.

Then Adriana shocks the shit out of me by pressing her lips to mine. I take a second to fully register, but I won’t waste a second of her opening up to me like this.

If anything, our conversation reminds me you need to show the people you care about in your life that they matter. Always be in the moment with the surrounding people. And right now, in this moment, she’s putting her guard down.

Her lips are soft and fit perfectly against mine. I sweep my tongue against her lips and she opens for me. The hunger takes over that’s been waiting for this moment. I move my left hand to cup the back of her neck while my right hand is on her back, pulling her in closer. Adriana doesn’t let it get out of control but slows the kiss down from the frenzy that I would have let continue. She bites my bottom lip softly and I groan. I can feel myself start to harden and hope I don’t scare her off if she feels just how much her kiss turns me on. Before I can pull her bottom lip in between my teeth to see if it drives her wild too, she pulls away.

I rest my forehead on hers while we both catch our breaths. I’m so gone for this woman. Fuck. I was not expecting her to kiss me. Maybe this is what she meant when she said, let’s see what happens. I’m not mad at it. In fact, I can’t wait for more of her.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Adriana

Cole rests his forehead against mine, and I feel the heat creeping up through my cheeks from blushing. I didn’t think when I pulled back to look up at him I would end up kissing him, but in that moment, it just felt right. Holy shit, can the man kiss. Small dick Toby or anyone before him never kissed me like Cole just did.

The more it’s just Cole and I talking or spending time together, the more I like him and feel our connection deepen. I wasn’t expecting us to talk about our parents tonight. I don’t talk about them enough, but I also know that sometimes it can be a heavy topic. But this man understands a part of my soul that no one else has been able to in my lifetime after my parents.

“Hi,” Cole says with a smile as he opens his eyes so they meet mine.

“Hi Casanova.” I say with a smile.

“Let’s finish eating. I have movie snacks for you, too.”

“You went all out, huh?” I mention.

“Only the best for you,” he tells me.

“You are ridiculous. What if the night went into flames before the movie?” I question.

“I wasn’t going to let that happen. I need at least one full date before I can let you write me off,” he says..

I can’t help but laugh at him.

“I don’t think there is any writing you off, big guy.”

Cole laughs and drops a quick kiss on my lips.

“Let’s finish eating so we can go watch a movie.”

“What are we watching?” I ask.

“It’s a surprise. But trust me, you will be happy.”

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