Page 17 of Protection for Rowan

Laughter spilled out. “It’s better the second night. But I do always fix myself a small ramekin for the night I make it. It’s not as good, but it’s decent.”

"Well, it smells great, and you look sexy."

Laughter spilled out, and she put her hand on his chest. “I do?”

“Oh yeah.”

He pulled her close and brushed his lips over hers. She melted against him. Being in his arms felt wonderful. She wanted to move past just kissing, but dinner was almostdone, and she knew they couldn't really start anything. But holding him and kissing felt amazing.

He pulled back and met her gaze. “I feel a lot of things for you.”

“Same. I couldn’t stop thinking about coming here tonight. I admit I was a little distracted.”

“I was, too. The guys had to yell at me at one point.”

“Oh.” She shook her head. “That’s probably not good.”

He shrugged. “We were on a run. I got distracted. It’s okay. I know how to keep my focus.”

She ran her finger over his shoulders to the middle of his chest. “I bet you do.”

The timer on the oven beeped, interrupting them. Disappointment slid through her, but she knew they needed to eat so they could cool off a little.

Shine pulled the food from the oven and set it on hot pads they’d set out earlier. “Is it done?”

She moved closer. “Yes. The cheese looks perfect in the middle. Now we need to wait about ten minutes for it to cool.”

“Oh, you’re killing me. It’s like the scent is clawing at my insides.”

Her laughter came easy. “You’ll survive.”

He reached for her, and she went willingly. With his arms around her, she snuggled close. They were building their relationship with these moments, and she didn't want to hurry it along, but she really liked Shine, and she knew her mind. Of course, things could change, but right now, she wanted him.

History and experience told her people rarely showed who they were at first. Some people hid their true selves for decades. Both of them had layers they had to peel back to discover who they really were. And it took time to dig deep.They needed more than just good times together. They needed disagreements and full-on arguments to know each other. She wasn't going to pick a fight, but they needed balance if they wanted a future.

“You’re thinking deeply.”

She glanced up, meeting his worried gaze. “Sorry. Just thinking about how well we fit together.”

“And that made you scowl.”

She shook her head. “No. Not that.”

“What then?”

She stepped back, trying to give them space so she didn't just cling to him like Velcro. "These feelings I have for you went deep fast. I know we need more than lust and desire to make a relationship, but you have me hooked. Our past comes into play, drawing me closer to you, but Shine, I have the depth I didn't even get when I was married. And I'm scowling because I wonder if I'm fooling myself, and I want to see how we react during an argument."

His eyebrows knit closer together. “I remember you pressing your lips against mine as tears ran down your cheeks. Heck, they were running down my cheeks, too. That was one of the bravest things anyone has ever done for me, and that’s saying a lot. I remember that. I know that plays into how I feel about you.”

"I've had a few what-if fantasies that play out from that kiss. If that wreck hadn't happened, we might have stayed in contact."

“I know I would have wanted to keep in contact with you.” He drew in a slow breath. “So yeah, we both are probably more committed to each other than we should be at this point in our relationship.”

She cupped his face and stared into his eyes. “I don’twant to push for more than we should give, but I have feelings for you.”

His lips were on hers, and then the timer she’d set rang. He pulled away, but the reluctance was obvious. His gaze stayed on her even though he stepped back.

“We should eat then go for a walk. I think spending time together in my house is too tempting.”

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