Page 43 of That One Heartbreak

“Hi.”

Then he heard the footsteps on the stairs and it was like a billion bubbles were popping in his chest. He turned to see her, her hair glossy and wavy as it fell around her shoulders. She was wearing a pair of black jeans and a black silky sleeveless top, anivory jacket in her hands. Little diamond earrings were fastened in her ears and she had a chunky silver bracelet on her wrist.

“Hi,” she said softly.

He forced that smile again. “Hi.”

Fuck, she was beautiful. He wanted to feel the smoothness of her top, the silkiness of her hair.

The warmth of her skin.

“You look good,” he said, his voice thick.

Kate’s smile was genuine. “I’ve promised James I’ll wear the jacket.”

“Good.” Okay so that one escaped before he thought about it. But her smile didn’t waver. “You heard from Shana?”

“She’s already at the restaurant,” Kate told him. “She’s calling it a stakeout. Apparently, she’s in all black like some kind of dating Ninja.”

Of course she was. Damn, he liked Shana. “If anything happens, anything at all. Just call, okay?”

“Yeah, call us,” James added. “We’ll handle this guy if you need us to.”

Kate looked from her son to Marley, her eyes crinkled with amusement. “It’s dinner. The worst that can happen is that he’s a messy eater.” She lifted her hand to her hair, tucking a lock behind her ear. Her skin had a light tan to it, the way most people in town had at this time of year. No matter how much sunscreen you applied, it was never enough.

The underside of her arm, though, was pale. For a second he imagined how it would feel against his lips.

“Okay then.” Kate looked like she was steeling herself to go into battle. “I’m going. Come here,” she said to James, hugging him. Then she cuddled Addy against her. “Ethan, I’m leaving.”

“See you later,” he shouted back.

She shook her head and walked into the living room, then a moment later Ethan let out a squeal as she almost certainly squeezed him tight.

James and Addy wandered into the kitchen, so Marley was the only one left in the hallway when she came back out.

“Wish me luck,” she murmured to him.

He crossed his fingers behind his back. “Good luck.”

She didn’t look in any hurry to leave. He liked that way too much. “Thank you for taking care of them,” she told him. “If they cause any problems, let me know.”

“They won’t. It’s just a few hours.” And then she’d be back and he’d be able to breathe again.

She nodded, then hesitated for a second, before rolling onto her tiptoes and kissing his cheek. Her lips were soft, warm, and damn, he should have shaved before coming over. The sweet smell of her perfume invaded his senses. Made his stomach twist.

It was an automatic reaction to reach out and curl his palm around her hip. If you asked him, he’d maintain that stance until the day he died. But there was something about the feel of her body against his that caused desire to shoot through his torso and into his limbs.

A caveman-like need overtook his mind. His hold on her tightened. She pressed her palms against his chest, not to push him away, but to steady herself, and damn if he didn’t flex his pectorals like a damn gorilla.

Her eyes went wide. And so close he could see the gold flecks in the green of her irises. Could see himself reflected back in the darkness of her pupils.

She opened her mouth to say something, then closed it again.

His fingers twitched with the need to slide them to her back, to feel the curve of her ass, the warmth of her thighs. For amoment he imagined hitching one of them around his waist, pushing her against the wall.

Carrying her up to bed.

Laughter came from the kitchen and Kate took a step back. She blinked like she’d just been stunned.

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