Page 39 of Hank

"Because when you’re in my arms, nothing scares me. And everything about you makes me feel…" He brought her hand up to his mouth and kissed her palm. "It just makes me feel."

"You make me feel too," she said, brushing her fingers over his lips.

"Then let’s see where this is going," he said, still holding her hand, but taking it back to his chest where his heart had sped up. "And maybe we could start with moving a little closer together."

"We can’t have?—"

"We’re not." The little touch of heat filling his gaze told her it was on his mind, though. "But can I at least hold you? Maybe kiss you?"

"That always leads to something else with us," she said, giving him her best frown. All he did was smile.

"I’m willing to risk it if you are."

"Okay," she muttered, already scooting toward him, while he did the same. Then his arm was around her and her head landed on his chest—his cheek pressed against the top of her head. A deep breath filled both of them, that they each slowly let out. Almost like their bodies were relieved to finally be touching each other.

"See, this is nice, isn’t it?"

"Yes, it is." And it was. Maybe they could just stay like this until Collin came back. She’d be okay with that.

"Go out with me tonight."

13

"You want to go on a date?"

Hank almost lost an eye at how fast Jo’s head had snapped up.

"Yes, that’s exactly what I want to do," he said, rubbing his sore brow. Her head was pretty hard.

"But—"

"But nothing. I’ll pick you up tonight. I’ll even come in and let Collin give me the third degree if he wants to before we leave. Then we’ll have a nice dinner, talk, and then I’ll bring you home and kiss you goodbye on the doorstep."

He’d said all of that at once to keep from giving her any space for argument. Because shewouldargue.

"You will." Her skeptical tone matched the look in her eyes. "You’ll be okay with leaving me on the doorstep?"

She didn’t have to be so disbelieving. He could kiss her and not want more. Well, that wasn’t quite true. But he could force himself to behave. So…

"Yes, I can." This was going to work between them, and the only way he could ensure that happened was to make Jo feel comfortable in the relationship. "People will get used to seeing us together, and?—"

"Yeah, see, that’s what I’m worried about." And it was there, in her hazel gaze. He’d have to fix that.

"What’s there to worry about?"

She snickered at that.

"You’ve never lived in a small town before, have you?"

"No." Denver was pretty big, and he’d only known his immediate neighbors. "But what does that have to do with anything?"

"Hopefully nothing," she said, while footsteps sounded from above and her eyes widened with excitement. "He’s back." She hopped off the table and rushed away from him and up the stairs. He went after her and stopped at the bottom of the steps. The kid didnothave good timing. "Collin."

A few seconds later, Collin’s voice came from the other side of the door, "It’s not been two hours yet."

Hank stood waiting, watching.

Hoping.

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