Page 22 of Stolen Kisses

Before I can answer, Emma’s car pulls into her driveway. Damn, I was hoping to get this finished before she came home. She was so pissed at me lastnight,I figure shewon’twant to lay eyes on me for at least a couple of days. The engine turns off and I can see from here that she’s watching me through the windscreen. She’s probably still pissed at me. I decide it’s best to just confront her head-on.

Climbing down the ladder, I prepare for battle. As I breach the side gate, she exitshercar and I feel as though I need to approach her carefully with the kids around. Austin exits the car close behind Lachlan, and I notice he has a splint on his injured arm.

He races over to Kenny. “Hey, Kenny, see my splint. Isn’t it cool?”

Kenny studiesthe splintas thoughit’sa prized treasure. “So cool! Does your arm still hurt?”

He shrugs. “Eh, a little bit.”

“You’re so brave. Youwannaplaywivme?”

“Yeah, come on. I’ll show you our new parachuteAvengers. Well, the ones we’ve got left.” He kicks the ground with the toe of his shoe.

I dig into my back pocket to pull out the one I rescued from the roof earlier and hold it out to him. “I think you might be missing this one.”

His face lights up as he reaches forward to take it from me. “Thank you, Theo. I thought I’d lost it forever.”

“No problem. No more climbing though. Okay?” Emma still hasn’t moved away from her car. I’m going to have to go to her.

“Okay, Theo. Come on, Kenny.” He runs back toward his mom. “Can I have the key to get in?” She hands him the keys and the three kids move toward the house. Emma’s leaning against the driver’s door with her arms crossed, so I step forward, tucking my hands in my pockets so I don’t reach out for her.

“What are you doing, Theo?” She raises her chin in the direction of the side of the house where I was working.

I look over my shoulder and back to her as though I need to check what she’s talking about. “Fixing the gutter. I’ve replaced the section that broke away and I’m applying the primer, so I can paint it tomorrow to match the rest.” I shrug. “Look—”

“I need to—”

We speak at the same time, so I gesture for her to go first.

“I need to apologize for my outburst last night.”

“Em—”

She holds up her hand. “No. Please let me finish.” I nod and force myself to shut up to hear her out. “I was tired and upset before you even opened your mouth last night. But you didn’t deserve my anger. I don’t normally blow like that. I’m sorry.” She lets out a long sigh. “Sometimes everything gets on top of me and I should manage my emotions and responses better.”

“You finished?” She nods. “You don’t need to apologize to me. I said the wrong thing.Again. I have a habit of words coming out the wrong way. I didn’t mean to be so abrupt with you. I … uh … got frightened myself when I saw that Austin had fallen and I responded poorly to the situation. I’m the one who’s sorry, Emma.” I scratch my fingers through my short bristles. “For all of the times I’ve said the wrong thing since we met. It’s truly not intentional and it always comes from a good place. I promise.” A ghost of a smile crosses her lips and she looks away from me.

“Shall we just forget about it and start again?” I don’t actually want to forget about any of it, she looks fucking stunning in anger and I never want to forget those moments.

“Sure.” I nod, then hold out my hand. “Hi. I’m your new neighbor, Theo. Kenny, my niece, and I have just moved in.” I gesture over my shoulder next door.

She smiles, taking my hand, sending sparks shooting up my arm. “Nice to meet you, Theo. I’m Emma and my two boys are Lachlan and Austin. Welcome to the neighborhood.”

“Thanks. It’s been great so far.” I gesture over my shoulder. “If you don’t mind, I just want to finish up the primer, so I can paint tomorrow.”

“Thank you so much for repairing my gutter.You really didn’t need to do that, but it’s greatly appreciated.”

“No problem. It’s the least I can do.” I turn to head back to the task.

“Uh, how much do I owe you?” She nods toward the gutter.

“Nothing. It’s my gift to you for welcoming me to the neighborhood.” It feels good to do something to make things easier for her. I rub the tight feeling in the center of my chest as I walk away.

“Well,thank you. You’re very kind. I’m just going to head inside to keep an eye on the kids.”

“No worries. I’ll collect Kenny when I’m finished here.”

Emma turns to head inside and my eyes drop to her sexy ass wrapped infitted pants which stop just above her ankles.

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