Page 30 of Heart of a Hero

Karen smiled at him, her eyes shining as she aimed her spoon right at him, a teasing glint in her gaze. “I try to model the right behavior for my girls, you know? When I was growing up, all we saw were thin, perfectly polished models and actresses. Society told us that beauty came with high cheekbones, pert noses, and surgically enhanced everything. Add to that the hair extensions, false lashes, and the Botox—honestly, it’s a wonder any of us have any self-esteem left.” She shook her head. “And now, my daughters are growing up in a world where AI can make anyone look like a human Barbie doll.”

Mark chuckled softly. “I never thought of it like that, but you’re right. It’s crazy.”

Karen nodded, her tone shifting from playful to earnest. “We talk a lot about healthy eating and feeling good in our own skin. My girls love running, so they need more calories, but I always want them to feel beautiful just the way they are. We have fun with hair and makeup, sure, but at the end of the day, I want them to love themselves without needing to change a thing.” She glanced down at their empty dessert plates and laughed, a light blush creeping into her cheeks. “Now, obviously, I can’t eat like this every night, but I’m all for indulging now and then. Especially when it’s paired with such delightful company.”

Mark’s heart skipped a beat. "Delightful company" was the perfect description for their evening, and he wasn’t ready for it to end. Not when he’d just spent hours with a woman who felt like so much more than just a friend. He wanted to learn everything about her, hear her stories, know her thoughts.

“Do you feel like a walk before we return to your place? I’d love to spend more time with you.”

Her eyes softened, and she smiled, patting her stomach. “That sounds lovely. Honestly, I should probably walk some of this off. Let’s face it, I’m not in my twenties anymore. A huge meal right before bed means nothing but indigestion.” She blushed instantly, her cheeks flaming as she covered her face with her hands. “Oh my God. That wassonot a first-date confession.”

He leaned closer and gently pulled her hands down, moving so he was directly in her line of vision. “It’s just like you, Karen. Beautiful and real. And I’ve had more fun tonight than I’ve had outside of being with Benji in a very long time.”

Their gazes locked, and the air between them felt charged with unspoken words, unvoiced desire. He had to resist the overwhelming urge to lean in and press his lips against hers.They were still in the middle of the restaurant, and he wanted their first kiss to be private, something just for them.

As soon as the server came around, he paid the bill and then slid out of his side of the corner booth. Bending, he snagged her coat and held it for her as she stood and slipped her arms inside. His hands stayed on her shoulders as she fastened her coat, then turned to look up at him. His gaze roved over her face, landing and halting at her lips. The desire to kiss her swelled within him, and he kept her hand firmly in his as they left the restaurant.

Once at his SUV, he assisted her in. With her now seated, her face was perfectly level with his, and the closeness between them ignited the simmering tension that had been building all evening. He gave her the opportunity to let him know what she wanted. She met him halfway without hesitation, and her lips landed on his.

His mouth started to curl up in a grin, but her tongue licked over the seam of his lips, and his smile died, replaced by a carnal groan. He angled his head to take the kiss deeper, his tongue sweeping into her warm mouth.

The electricity that he’d felt earlier in the cab of his SUV was now centered inside his body—in a straight line from his mouth to his dick. He pulled away reluctantly, barely aware that they were still near the lighted entrance of the restaurant, not exactly where he wanted to be when he delved into another kiss like the one they’d just shared.

Her eyes were wide as she looked at him, and her tongue dragged slowly over her pinkened lips.Yeah… we definitely need to get out of here to continue this kiss.

14

Mark kept the radio playing softly as he drove toward Baytown Beach, the gentle hum of the music underscoring the quiet intimacy between them. As soon as he climbed into the driver's seat and backed onto the road, he reached over to squeeze Karen's hand, thrilled when she entwined her fingers with his. The warmth of her touch spread through him, and they sat like that, their hands clasped, resting on the console as the world outside faded into the background.

When they arrived, he parked near the pier. When they stepped out, the cool breeze hit them, carrying the crispness of the sea air. He glanced down at Karen, his brow furrowing with concern. “I guess I didn’t think this through. Are you going to be warm enough?”

Karen looked up at him, a playful glint in her eyes, her smile teasing under the soft glow of the streetlamp. “This coat is thick,” she replied with a slight shrug, “and besides, I have you to keep me warm, right?”

Mark grinned, the flirtatious spark between them drawing him in even deeper. “Absolutely,” he promised, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and pulling her closer. They walked down the pier together, the wooden planks creaking softlybeneath their feet until they reached the end. They leaned over the rail, gazing out at the shimmering water, the moonlight casting silver ripples across the bay.

Karen tilted her head, her gaze wandering over the horizon. “You can see the ship lights,” she murmured, her voice soft with nostalgia. “When we first moved here, the girls and I came out at sunset. I remember how the ships would light up as the sun dipped below the horizon. I always thought it must be a breathtaking view for the sailors to watch the sunset from the water.”

He turned to her, the faint light catching in her eyes, illuminating the tenderness in her expression. “Not as beautiful as what I’m looking at right now,” he said, his low voice filled with something deeper.

Her head swiveled slowly, her eyes locking onto his, and for a moment, the world seemed to stand still. Her lips curved into a smile that began small but soon bloomed into a radiant, heart-stopping grin. She lifted her hands, resting them gently on his chest, her touch sending sparks across his skin.

Mark didn’t need any further invitation. He bent down, his breath mingling with hers, and captured her lips in a kiss, soft at first but deepening quickly as the heat between them flared to life. The cool breeze around them faded into the background, and all that mattered was the warmth of her body against his, the way her lips molded perfectly to his, and the intoxicating feeling of being exactly where he wanted to be—lost in this moment with her.

One hand dove into her soft hair as he cupped the back of her head while his other arm banded around her back. He pulled her flush against his front, pressing her sweet curves againsthis chest. She fit perfectly with him, and it didn’t take much imagination to see how their naked bodies would align.

Her tongue thrust, sweeping over his tongue. When the tip teased the roof of his mouth, his cock responded, swelling and pressing against his zipper. He was glad he’d adjusted himself when he’d gotten out of his SUV. Or he would have been very uncomfortable.

Karen wrapped her arms around his neck, her short fingernails scraping the back of his head. With a little encouraging pressure, she pulled him closer. Mark had not told her about all his dating experiences since becoming a widower. He’d been honest when he said he hadn’t dated for the first several years since he was more concerned with making sure Benji had all his attention. For a long time after becoming a widower, he had no desire to be with another woman and found his hand sufficient to take the edge off. Eventually, he had an occasional hookup, someone who was never going to make it beyond a sexual encounter. But there had only been a couple of those over the years because he found them unfulfilling. Mark had enjoyed an active sex life before he met Sue, but once married, he had never looked at another woman, content with the love he had for her.

But everything in him screamed that Karen was different. Talking to her, getting to know her, and right now, the way her lips moved had short-circuited his brain, making him wish they were somewhere private. Feelings moved through him that he hadn’t had in years. She leaned back, and he immediately felt the cool air where their heated mouths had been sealed.

Looking at him curiously, she held his gaze and said, “I can feel you thinking, and that’s okay. But I don’t want to keep kissing if this doesn’t seem right to you.”

His arms tightened around her, and he slowly shook his head. “I’m not going to pretend that I don’t have a lot of thoughtsgoing through my mind.” He watched her expression shutter and rushed to add, “But not because of what you’re thinking. Not because kissing you isn’t right or uncomfortable. Quite the contrary. I was just thinking how this feels so perfect. Everything about you appeals to me and calls to me, whether we’re talking, sharing a meal, laughing, or kissing.”

Her brows lifted to her forehead, and he grinned. “Oh yeah, Karen. I have a lot of thoughts about you, and they’re all good.”

“Kiss me,” she whispered.

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