Page 67 of Stolen Kiss

“Are you in pain?”

Heidi reached up and gently touched his cheek, running her fingers along his jaw.

“The only pain I’m feeling is not knowing if we’re okay enough to talk through what happened. I’m not expecting you to forgive my aunt but I’d like to spend time trying to explain.

“Jason,” she said.

“Please say you’ll talk to me or let me talk?”

“Jason,” she said again, transfixed watching her fingers move along the bruise on his jaw.

“Heidi.”

“I still don’t know what happened last night. I asked Erica not to tell me so you could. I’m only interested in your version.”

He pulled her tight against his body, burying his face in her neck. “Thank God,” he said, his lips grazing her skin. “I thought for sure, you’d want nothing more to do with me.”

“Can we talk after dinner?”

“Of course, food is ready. We can eat, enjoy each other’s company and then we can talk back at my place.”

“Okay,” she said nodding into his chest.

His arms tightened again as she wrapped her arms around her waist.

“Is it too much to ask for a kiss?”

She didn’t answer and reached up on tiptoes to tentatively wait for his kiss. She didn’t want to hurt his mouth. Jason had other ideas and if his kiss hurt him, he didn’t let on. One hand went to the base of her back and the other threaded through her hair while he kissed her slow and easy. She dropped back down on flat feet and pressed her lips together.

“Let’s eat,” he said threading his fingers through hers.

Jason had prepared lamb tagine in authentic pots. Chunky bread, good wine and relaxed chatter. It was a contrast to how Heidi was feeling deep down. In the depths of her core, she was terrified that this was the final meal they’d have together. She’d fallen a little bit in love with Erica and wanted to spend more time with her. She was strong and soft, kind and determined. And everything she wanted to be herself. Plus she had a Hemsworth on speed dial. Heidi thought Freya would lose her shit when she heard that piece of information.

When a lull came over them, Jason cleared his throat and stood up. He looked to his brother and said, “do you need help to clear up?”

“No, you two go, we’ll clear the remaining dishes.”

Jason held his hand out to Heidi. She had a flutter of apprehension of how the conversation would go. Slipping her hand into his, she stood too.

“Thank you for the company, I had a really great time getting to know you both.”

“They’ll be plenty more, Heidi, don’t be a stranger,” Archer said.

He took her by surprise and got up to hug her, he gave her a quick squeeze and she couldn’t help think that was his vote of approval. Until she thought it, Heidi didn’t realise she needed it.Erica was next and came and give her a hug that was more of a cuddle.

“Don’t forget your bag,” she whispered in her ear.

They broke apart and Jason led her away in the darkness to the cottage next door. It took a few minutes to walk along the path until he was letting them into his home. He didn’t turn on any lights as he navigated his way through the kitchen and into the living room. He flicked on a lamp and the room glowed a warm orange. This room was exactly like Archer and Erica’s living room but with different coloured furniture. Blues and greys with slate around the fireplace. She could see herself lying on the sofa with a book and a fire burning.

“I really want to take you to bed, Heidi, but we need to talk.”

Her heart leapt at his voice, talking her out of her daydream, she turned away from a potential future change and a note to buy a slate grey blanket for the sofa and looked at Jason.

“Where do you want to talk?”

He gave her a smirk. “In bed, but we’re not going to do that. Do you want some coffee?”

She shook her head. She wanted to get this over with.

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