Page 41 of The Beautiful Mess

Kerry ducked down for another kiss, this one longer. He tasted blueberry, lemon, and a hint of salt from the bacon. He deepened the kiss, claiming Keegan in ways he didn’t fully understand yet. “When can I see you again?”

Keegan’s eyes remained closed, and he swayed a little as he sighed. His lashes fluttered open, and dreamy hazel eyes locked on him. “You’re still here.”

The question amused Kerry. “Where else would I be?”

“I keep thinking I will wake up and find this has all been a wonderful dream.”

Kerry brushed the back of his fingers along Keegan’s jawline. “This is real, and I want to take you on a proper date. Just you and me. No Sven tagging along. No family members watching our every move.”

Keegan smiled. “So, I didn’t mistake the matchmaking attempts at the family dinners or Sven’s interference on Saturday night.”

“Nope, and they don’t get to take credit for us getting together,” Kerry said stubbornly.

“Good luck with that.” Keegan broke off a piece of muffin and popped it into his mouth. “I’m working tonight.”

“I am too,” Kerry said. “I’m filling in so Curtis can attend his kid’s ballet recital.”

Keegan practically melted. “That’s so sweet. What a lucky girl.”

“Boy,” Kerry corrected. “The little guy dances like it’s no one’s business. Curtis will send me a video, and I’ll show you.”

Keegan covered his heart. “That’s even sweeter.”

“What about tomorrow night?” Kerry pressed.

“I have a therapy appointment, but it should be over by four or four thirty at the latest.”

“I’ll be home by five,” Kerry said. “Why don’t you pack an overnight bag and head here after therapy instead of going back to the ranch? We can leave from here.”

“You want me to stay the night?”

Kerry kissed his luscious mouth. “If it were up to me, neither of us would leave this cabin for several days. You wouldn’t have to worry about clean clothes because we wouldn’t wear them.”

“Whoa,” Keegan whispered.

Kerry thought the same thing as soon as the words left his mouth. “Too much?”

Keegan swallowed hard. “Not for me, but what about you?”

“Honestly?” Kerry asked.

“Of course.” Keegan set his fork down and seemed to brace himself for Kerry’s response.

“It feels like not enough. I have eighteen months of stupidity to overcome.”

Keegan shook his head. “Not on my behalf. I wasn’t ready for you when we first met. I might not have been ready for you six months ago either. I think this happened when it was supposed to and not a second sooner.”

“That sounds too easy,” Kerry said. “Like something you’ve made up to make me feel better.”

Keegan shrugged his shoulders and lifted a forkful of eggs. “Doesn’t make it less true.”

They ate in companionable silence until Keegan pushed his plate away several minutes later. He’d made a hellacious dent in his food, but there were some scrambled eggs left over.

“Want to make Betty your best friend forever?”

“Of course,” Keegan replied.

“Give her a few pieces of scrambled eggs.”

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