Page 26 of Hush

Elise gave an apologetic smile. “Crazy, right?” She shrugged again. “Garrett promised he’d take me, but, well, that never happened.”

Ben didn’t want to spend his time with Elise talking about Garrett.

“Why don’t you go sometime, at least to visit?” he asked. “In the summer, your teaching schedule is probably light, right? And Garrett could keep Jaden for a week.”

Elise’s smile tightened. “Maybe,” she said.

“Mama, I’m tired,” Jaden said.

Ben glanced at Jaden’s plate. While Elise and Ben were talking, he had sliced his dessert, a cupcake with pink frosting, into chunks, then redistributed the frosting so each chunk had a smear.

“You’re right, honey. It is late, isn’t it?” Elise said, moving to his side of the table where he was extracting himself from his chair.

“Say goodnight to Dr. Parker,” Elise said.

“Ben,” he corrected.

But Jaden curled against Elise’s shoulder as she picked him up.

“Goodnight, Jaden,” Ben said, standing. He had the urge to reach down and kiss his glossy blond head or caress his shoulder, but felt it wasn’t his place.

Elise carried Jaden down the hallway, leaving Ben alone to clear the plates and start on the dishes. The warm water and task occupied his limbs while his brain replayed their conversation and the way Elise’s smile shone in the candlelight. Anybody lucky enough to be with her should give her the world. Like a trip to Paris. He shook his head, puzzled.Garrett must be a complete idiot, he thought.

Elise returned just as he was loading the last dish.

“You didn’t have to do this,” she said, sounding surprised.

“You cooked,” he replied. “It’s only fair.”

Elise sighed in gratitude. “Thank you,” she said, then began storing the leftovers. When she was finished, he grabbed the casserole dish and set it in the sink.

“Let me do that,” Elise protested, trying to push him out of the way.

“No chance,” he said, leaning sideways for a kiss. Her eyes blinked in surprise, but her lips opened to his willingly.

“Seriously, this needs to soak anyway,” Elise said, breaking away. “I need you to start a fire.”

Slipping his hands to her waist, he pulled her closer. “How about we start a fire right here?” he said, kissing her again.

“Very funny,” she said, giving his arm a playful slap.

“I’m not being funny,” Ben said, his blood heating up the base of his spine. He pressed her against the counter, and they kissed again. Her lips tasted of the wine, but something else, too, something sweeter.

“So, can we…” she said, her voice breathless.

Ben explained his idea. “I’ve already briefed Dr. Fitzgibbons,” he said, kissing her again.

Elise kissed him back, her lips tugging at his, driving him crazy. “You think Jaden will like her?” Elise asked, breaking away.

“She’s great with kids,” Ben said, caressing the bare skin beneath the hem of her sweater. “And I’ll be there when they meet, to make sure it’s a good fit.”

“What if it’s not?” Elise asked.

“Let’s give it a try,” Ben said.

Against him, he felt her body relax.

“Any more questions? Because I’m about ready to devour you right here on your countertop.”

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