Page 296 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

“Her husband doesn’t mind her cooking for another man?”

“I get their leftovers.”

“Still. I can’t imagine him liking that.”

“He knows he’s the only guy for her. I’m not a threat.”

“That’s hard to believe.”

“Oh, is it? Why is that? Am I irresistible?” he asked.

Avoiding the question, she changed the subject. “It was lonely here last night.” Emily spoke the words she’d planned to keep to herself.

“Gavin was here.”

“Not the same.”

“I’m sorry. I wanted to be here with you, but I needed to work the case.”

She lifted a shoulder. “I understand.”

“Do you?” he asked.

“Of course. You were doing your job.”

“I looked into that guy you mentioned from maintenance. He’s clean. I don’t think he’s behind any of this, but I’ll keep him on my radar in case I’m mistaken.”

“Thanks for checking him out. I’m grateful.”

“Now I need to know where we go from here, darling?”

“I don’t know what you mean,” she said.

He moved from the counter and approached her. “We can’t stay in the same house together while you keep me at arms’ length. I have no desire to be a mere friend to you, Em.” He placed a hand on either side of the sink pinning her up against it. Their lips were nearly touching. Her eyes closed, and she inched closer to him.

Her breath stuck in her chest for a moment. “I don’t want to be your friend, either.”

“Sometimes I look at you, and it’s like the years melt away and we’re still the same Wade and Emily who were voted most likely to get married right after graduation.” He tangled his hands in her hair. “But other times I see you as the alluring woman you’ve become. The woman I want more than I’ve ever wanted anything or anyone else.”

“If I weren’t so scared…” She let her words trail off.

“Please don’t be afraid of me. I know I let you down when we were young, but it won’t happen again. I’d do anything to make it up to you. To makeuswork this time.”

“Then why haven’t you kissed me?” she asked.

“You know you’re playing with fire, right?”

She nodded. She’d never wanted a kiss more than she did in that moment.

His lips captured hers, and she savored the contact. She’d been hoping for his kiss for days, but she knew she was in dangerous territory. Trusting Wade was a huge leap of faith. She hoped she wouldn’t regret it. She ran her fingers through his hair and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer.

His hands came to rest on her hips. “Does this mean you’re my girl?”

She answered him with another kiss.

“I’m going to take a cold shower before we take this further than is prudent.” He held her tightly against him with one arm.

She smiled up at him.

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