Page 49 of Taken by the Lawman

She looked uncomfortable as she slid off the stool, grabbed her empty plate, and threw it in the trashcan. “Thank you for that delicious meal. I’ll clean up the mess.”

“I made it so I’ll help and we can talk while we’re doing it.” He joined her in the kitchen, remembering what almost happened between them before when they were here together.

Kiersten made no argument with him but opened the door to the dishwasher and loaded the pan and silverware while he closed the containers on the deli meat and cheese and replaced them in the fridge. It didn’t take long before the kitchen was spotless and they still hadn’t said one word.

“How much longer do you plan to procrastinate?” he said.

She turned to look at him, working her bottom lip. “You really want to do this? Discuss you and me, and a baby?”

“Yeah, I do.”

“I think you’re crazy,” she blurted out.

“Maybe just a bit, but aren’t we all?”

“You’re not thinking clearly.” She stepped out of the kitchen and plopped down on the couch, pulling the pillow into her lap. Was it to keep her from feeling vulnerable? He’d never hurt her, not intentionally.

Sitting on the coffee table, the wood creaked under his weight, but it was the best seat in the house if he wanted to see her face while he talked to her. Bracing his elbows on his knees, he hesitated before starting the conversation. Kiersten was a hard nut to crack, and he didn’t want to “crack” her, but marinate her in his attention. “My clock is ticking too. Up until lately I haven’t really thought about my future, kids, but there’s a time for everything.”

“And you think your time is right now?” One dark brow came up.

“I think we have a future. I think you do too and that’s why you’re so scared.”

Her fingers moved across the fringe of the pillow, plucking and wrapping the strands around her fingers. Was she trembling? “I’m not scared. I’m rational.”

“Okay, but even rational people have to realize when there’s something great within their reach.”

She removed the pillow and planted her feet on the floor, situated between his legs. “Decisions like these can’t be made quickly. I’m tired.”

He scraped his hand down his jaw. “Want me to take the couch?”

“No, I want you to sleep with me. Only holding, no sex, because right now I need to allow my brain to get back on track.” Her cheeks turned a slight pink, making her look adorable. When didn’t she?

“I’m going to take a shower. Okay?” He needed a cold one. Ice cold. And a very long one to scrub out the dirty avenues of his brain so he didn’t screw up and get a hard on. He wanted her to see that he was more than a fuck. If a man had the balls to ask a woman to have his baby, then he needed to prove he was a mature man who could control his body.

“Sure. I’ll meet you in bed,” she said, and he watched her sashay her little ass down the hall toward the bedroom.

He stepped into the bathroom, closed the door, and knocked his head against the wood and cursed. He braced his hands on the edge of the sink and stared at himself in the mirror. “Bro, you’re in big trouble.”

“Deegan? Did you say something?” Kiersten called out.

“Uh…no.” He opened the door and there she was, standing by the bathroom and fuckity fuck! She was wearing that T-shirt again. The one that had so many holes—peep holes.

“Alright. Just checking. Do you have a fresh towel in there?”

He looked at the shelf. “Yes. I’m good.” Liar. You’re freaking going insane.

“See you in bed.” She gave him a small smile and again he watched her walk.

In the shower, he turned the temperature to blue-balls-cold and stood underneath the spray until he believed he was sufficiently an ice cube. Scrubbing quickly, he got out, dried off and wrapped the towel around his waist. He forgot to bring a fresh pair of boxers in with him.

Kiersten was asleep when he walked into the bedroom. The sheet was slung over her hip with one toned leg sticking out. What he wouldn’t give to wake her with his tongue.

He pulled on his boxers and…

“Do you prefer a side?”

He jumped a little, thinking she was asleep.

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