Page 57 of Stolen Kiss

“They’re good, the dads not so much. So many of them are freaking out. I’ve told them not to read the books but will they listen to me?”

“If it were me, I’d read every book I could get my hands on.”

“Seriously? You wouldn’t pace yourself?”

“Nope, I’d want to be prepared for all eventualities.”

Her head dropped thinking about the worse possible eventualities. A warm hand cupped her cheek, and she raised her head to look at him.

“I’m sorry, that was careless of me.”

She melted on the spot for his consideration. Placing her hand over his, she curled her fingers over the side of his hand and squeezed.

“That’s okay. Thank you.”

“Let’s eat,” he said. “I’ve laid the table and the mash and veg are in pots on the table ready.”

“Shall I bring the gravy?” she asked nodding to the gravy boat that wasn’t hers.

“Please, that would be great.”

She curled her fingers through the handle of a gravy boat with pretty flowers wondering if it was from the Turner crockery stash. Terrified she might drop it and then get a visit from Cynthia Turner she held it with both hands and walked very slowly to her dining room. It was a cold room she barely used. No matter what she did, she couldn’t get the chill out of the air.Not that it mattered too much as she rarely had people over to dinner. Heidi preferred to go to her friend’s houses instead.

“I think this might have been a coal shed aeons ago,” Heidi said. “I’m sorry it’s so cold in here.”

“It’s not so bad. I’ve spent a lot time in the North Sea. Coldest place I’ve ever been.”

Jason lit candles that weren’t hers, turned off the overhead light and switched on the side lamp on the dresser. Instantly the mood of the room changed, and it felt warmer even if it wasn’t. Jason sat on the chair next to her rather than opposite and pressed his thigh to hers. She instantly felt warmer.

“Thanks for making dinner,” she said.

“It’s just bangers and mash,” he replied passing her the dish of green beans and carrots.

“My mouth is watering at the smells. This is no ordinary bangers and mash. My mouth has never watered when food has been served.”

“I hope you like it then,” he said.

She took a bite and groaned. It was heaven on a plate.

“You’re going to have stop those noises or we won’t make it through dinner,” Jason said gazing at her.

She could feel the heat of his stare but it was him shifting in his seat so he was flush with his leg right down to her ankle.

“How about I eat really quickly?”

“Sounds like a plan. I know just the thing to work it off.”

No sooner had she cleared her plate, Jason had lifted her off her seat and onto his lap wrapping his arms around her back. He captured her lips and kissed her. This kiss was different from the rest. It felt like a branding and a promise rolled into one. He didn’t let up between deep hard kisses and then light presses to her neck.

“Can I stay?” he whispered into her ear.

“Yeah,” she whispered back.

They left the dishes and switched off the lights as they climbed the stairs to her bedroom.

After he rocked her world twice she snuggled into his side with her leg thrown over both of his. She had never slept with a man in her bed and it was terrifying and everything she wanted in the world. The thoughts plagued her of why he accepted a message through her brother that she never wanted to see him again.

She was falling for him again, or was it still? But opening her heart again to trust him was going to be more difficult because she couldn’t truly enjoy what they were starting up until she knew.

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