Page 54 of Loving You Always

“I can’t just leave Mama Jess and Meredith with all the responsibility.” Kerris gave a definitive shake of her head. “They’ve done so much while I recovered. It wouldn’t be fair.”

“But if we—”

“Please don’t tempt me.” She supplicated with just a glance. “I want to pull my weight at the shop, and it would be irresponsible just to drop everything and go. This is hard enough.”

Walsh’s head dropped back until he was looking at the ceiling. He brought his eyes back level with hers.

“Okay, I won’t make it any harder. But don’t expect to leave this houseboat today. We still have a lot of catching up to do.” He pulled her into his lap. “Do you have any idea how many times I’ve imagined you like you were last night? Not just your body. You across a dinner table from me. Us in bed laughing and talking. It was perfect.”

Kerris walked her fingers up his chest and around his neck. She met him halfway for a knee-weakening kiss.

“Everything far exceeded my imagination, Walsh.”

“Oh, so you’ve imagined me?”

His eyes teased her, but the memory of having only her imagination sobered her. Daydreaming in the tub. Drifting off while cooking dinner to meet Walsh in her mind. Only having him in her dreams, and feeling guilty every time.

“As much as I dared, yes.”

Walsh’s eyes lost the laugh, but held on to the tenderness.

“I’m right here now. Save your dreams for our future. I wanted our first night together to be…what it was.”

“Some first date. The fireworks. This beautiful necklace. The dress. The kimono. Are you trying to buy my affections, Mr. Bennett?”

“Pretty sure I already have your affections.”

Kerris hit his bare chest.

“Arrogant!”

“Pretty sure you already knew that.”

“You’re right. I did. So do you treat all your first dates that way?”

He dropped his lashes, shielding his eyes before looking back at her, eyes serious and probing.

“Only my last first date.”

Her divorce wasn’t final. They’d just had their first date last night. She cleared her throat. What was she supposed to say to that?

“Um…your food’s getting cold. Aren’t you hungry?”

He laid his lips against hers.

“I’ll let you get away with it for now. And yes, after waiting all this time to be with you? Starved.”

“Food, Walsh.” She smiled into their kiss. “I meant for food.”

It felt so normal, so good, so right to be with him first thing in the morning. Doing things normal people did. They had always experienced each other only in stolen snatches, creating a mystique that compounded the intensity of their connection. Kerris had wondered how it would withstand the mundane. It was holding up rather nicely.

“This is nice, right?” Walsh asked, echoing her thoughts.

Kerris nodded and smiled around a mouthful of pancake.

“You look so happy. How can I arrange to spend every morning like this for the rest of my life?”

Kerris sobered, laying her fork down and moving to get up from his lap. His comment could lead them down a dangerous path. Walsh trapped her against him.

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