Page 30 of Steamy Dreamy Hearts

“I’m not fighting with you. You’ll know it if we’re fighting.” His tone was so grumpy, like a child denied a toy, it made me laugh despite everything.

“Maybe I’m a little confused?” Smack said dryly.

I decided to brave it. “It’s not complicated. Do you want to kiss me again or not?”

“Of course I do,” Smack rasped.

His phone buzzed before I could take it further.

With a grunt, Smack took his attention off me and tapped back and forth with somebody on his phone.

“Erin?” I asked.

“No. It’s my mother. Listen, do you mind if we drive through Flagstaff on our way back? I need just an hour there; it won’t add too much time. I just want to check in on her, and we’ll be passing near her facility.”

I only knew about his mom’s condition at all because of Phin, who’d babysat Erin a few times while Smack helped his mom. Kamira lived on the other side of town, but I wondered why Phin was asked instead of me. I’d never had the guts to mention this to Smack directly before.

“Sure, what’s another few hours to Phoenix?”

“Thanks, Caleb. I appreciate a moment with my mom. I’ve been looking out for her since my dad died on the job, although my mom had several boyfriends.”

“Let me guess, you chased those guys away?”

“None of them were good enough. To be honest, I see now they were all nice guys, mostly. But at the time, I didn’t care. I was super protective of her.” He tightened his hands on the wheel. “Now she’s alone, and maybe that’s my fault.”

“Wow, I guess you’re like a god, controlling all us poor humans, being responsible for everyone and everything.” I gave a mock bow. “Everything that happens is clearly your fault.”

“Okay.” He gave a grin. “Point taken.”

I leaned against the window. “Maybe loosen up, Captain. Let your mother decide about her own love life.”

“Sean.”

“What?”

“My name. I want you to say it.”

“Sean,” I repeated softly.

I wanted him so much then, even for Sean to simply hold my hand. Something as simple as that felt so right, so powerful. I flexed my fingers. Peeked at him through my eyelashes. I didn’t know wanting another person could feel this sweet.

This time when I leaned in, Sean met me halfway. His mouth hovered over mine, our breaths mingling. Our lips touched, and something pure and good unfurled inside of me.

When the kiss ended, I couldn’t take my eyes off him. That he was older and my boss, which had seemed so important moments ago, no longer mattered. Did Sean understand that? I wrapped my arms around him and held on.

“None of this will be easy.” Sean hesitated, his body tight with visible worry. “Being with me comes with a kid, an aging mom, and a whole lot of boring adult shit. I’m tethered to my life. Anybody I’m with has to understand that. I’ve got baggage about Dan. I’ve got Erin, who is my whole world…and I’m sometimes cranky.”

“No kidding.” I snorted. “I think I can handle any darkness you’ve got.” I paused, resting my head near his. “Can you handle mine?”

“I just want you with me.” He waved a hand between us. “And you’re okay?” His eyes were full of concern.

“I’m okay. Are you?”

He gave a crooked smile, nodding.

“Good,” I whispered.

I angled my body closer, stroking the side of his neck. Sean leaned forward and kissed me. It was a good kiss, the kind thatleft me breathless. Like I’d just finished a sprint to the finish line.

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