Page 29 of When Love Comes Home

"I don't have time to date," I begin. "Between work piling up and trying to settle into my new life in Cold Spring, my plate is already full."

"I see," she says, pausing for a beat. I sigh, thinking that’s the end of it—until she shifts beside me. "So, what's the truth?" she asks.

I meet her gaze, my voice steady. "Why would I want to go out with another woman when I can come home every night and spend time with you?"

Chapter 14

Katherine

Itrytobreathe,but the oxygen has been sucked out of the atmosphere—along with all the air in my lungs.

Between his revelation, his nearness, and the intoxicating scent of his cologne, I've not only lost my words—I feel like I've left my own body entirely. My hands feel sweaty, my heart is thrumming uncontrollably, and I can't form a coherent thought. My fight or flight response is at war. I want to argue, but I can't form a single word. So I decide to run, but when I stand, the soft swaying of the swing makes me lose my balance. Instinctively, I raise my arms, searching for support. Adam's strong hand quickly lands on my elbow, steadying me.

"Are you okay?" he asks, wrapping his other hand protectively around my waist and pulling me close.

“Yeah, I’m fine," I say, the words awkward and unsteady. "I just got up too fast."

I wish I could say I want to pull away, but I’d be lying. His hazel eyes are on me—dark, intense, and filled with something I can no longer ignore. They reveal a truth that washes over me, filling me with what can only be described as happiness.

He's in love with me.

Before I can think twice, my hand slides around his neck, and, stepping onto my tiptoes, I kiss him. The boldness of my own actions surprises me as much as it does him. The next thing I know, his lips are moving against mine, kissing me back. He tastes like hot chocolate—sweet, warm, and addicting. His lips are as soft as they are strong, and when his arms tighten around me, pulling me closer, I let myself get lost in the moment.

I pull away, breathless, caught in the shock of what I just did.

But I can't help it—I smile, and the moment Adam sees it, he smiles back, right before capturing my lips in another kiss. This time, it’s long, slow, and all-consuming—the kind of kiss that makes my heart sing and my knees go weak. His fingers trail along my neck, sending a delicious thrill through me. I’m no expert at kissing, but there’s no doubt—Adam is. The man must have a master’s in kissing. No, wait—a PhD.

His lips leave mine and I let out an involuntary little grunt in protest. God, he smells so good, tastes so good, feels so good. There's nowhere on this planet I'd rather be right now than here, with him.

“Katie?” I hear him whisper my name, but I refuse to open my eyes, basking in the moment and not wanting anything to pull me out of it.

“Yes?” I murmur, keeping my eyes shut, savoring every second.

“Can I kiss you again?”

I open my eyes to gaze at him, and my heart picks up right where it left off—racing into overdrive and threatening to leap out of my chest.

As if reading my thoughts, he takes my hand and places it over his chest. His heart is racing, just like mine.

With that, I close my eyes and whisper, “Yes.”

***

When I walk into the office on Monday morning, I pass by Sheri’s desk to say good morning.

"Good morning," she responds, then tilts her head, her gaze flicking to the empty space beside me. "Um…where’s Adam?"

She’s so used to seeing us walk in together that his absence immediately catches her off guard.

"He'll be in Cortland this week," I say. "He has some projects there, and he's visiting his brother."

"Brother?" she asks, her curiosity piqued.

"Foster brother," I clarify. "And before you ask, he's married."

"Yeah, about that," she begins. "I'm sorry about my call. I didn’t mean to step on your toes."

"It’s okay," I say, offering her a smile. "I think your call helped us clarify a few things."

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