Page 48 of My Heart Before You

His body stilled with her hesitation, but he savored her lips one last time before lifting his face. He was breathing as hard as she was, his collar bones rising and falling under her gaze. The coffee machine gurgled in finality before punctuating the silence of the room with a resounding beep. She took a step back from him, staring into his dilated eyes in disbelief.

Moving away towards the coffee machine, she poured two cups of coffee with a not-so-stable hand. When she felt him step behind her, she tried not to lean towards his radiant heat. With delicate hands, he pulled the hair from her shoulder and held it aside as he kissed the side of her neck.

Her body responded instantly.

A low hum escaped from her mouth as her eyes closed, tilting her head away from his kiss to expose more of her skin.

Instead of kissing her again, he reached beyond her, his chest brushing against her back as he gathered up a cup of coffee. After a steadying breath, she turned to find him leaning, legs crossed at the ankles, against the island facing her. She glued herself to the kitchen counter and took up her cup as well.

“I would like to ask you out on a date.” He sipped his coffee casually.

Here was the arrogance she’d expected from a surgeon. Only on him it wasn’t arrogant at all, just a confidence that was incredibly sexy.

“Would you now?”

“Yes.” He grinned with a hint of mischief in his eyes.

Why did she feel so bubbly when he smiled like that?

“I’m not sure. I have a very busy schedule,” she teased.

He dropped the act as sincerity swept his face. “If you can find time, it would be my extreme pleasure to take you to dinner.”

The implications of his request finally hit her brain. An unexpected tornado of thoughts and emotions overwhelmed her. Was she really doing this? Was she going to commit to her first first date in more than eleven years? A fierce jerk went through her body realizing that this was the first time she’d kissed a man other than her husband since she’d been married. Her stomach flipped, and unconsciously she wrung at the ring finger of her left hand.

The conflict must have read on her face because Colin set his mug down and took a step towards her. He reached out his hand but then placed it firmly at his side. “I’m sorry if I upset you.” His hand ran through his hair. “It’s just . . . I’d really like to get to know you better.”

She knew he hadn't meant to upset her, but it was much too early to explain to him why she was having reservations.

“Can we take it slow?” Her voice came out timidly.

A breath escaped his lungs. “I can do slow.”

She nodded and took a sip of coffee to steady herself.

“How about lunch instead?” he countered.

She grinned slightly. “Lunch would be good.” Thinking of the business she’d recently passed just outside the Commons, she added, “On one condition.”

“Name it.” He settled back on the island and took up his mug.

“There’s a piano store just south of the Commons. After lunch, I want you to take me there and play something.”

The mournful look that had crossed his face when he mentioned not being able to play the piano anymore had stuck a barb between her ribs. She wanted to bring him the joy she’d witness when he’d been behind the keys at the Christmas party. Another part of her longed to watch his skillful fingers and his toned body rock with the music as he played.

“What would you like to hear?”

She hadn’t anticipated that question, but the answer materialized instantly. “Your favorite song.”

Colin nodded once, his mouth curving upward in a slow smile. “When would you like to go to lunch?”

“I’m off next Friday.”

He set his mug back on the counter and took his phone out of his pocket. “That will work. Could I get your number? It would stop me from coming to your home every time I need to talk to you.” That teasing glimmer was back in his eyes.

A chuckle burst from her lips before she rattled off her number.

“I’ll pick you up at noon? Hopefully, that won’t be too early?” The left side of his mouth tugged up.

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