Page 21 of A Mate Betrayed

Chapter Nine

“Morning, beautiful,” Daire greeted her the next day, holding out his arms.

She rubbed her eyes and moved into his embrace, trying hard not to admit it felt extremely right.Like she was supposed to be in his arms.Something strong pulsed between them.Something she wished she could explore, and wondered if Daire felt the same.

I’m screwed, she thought.

This was only supposed to be fun.They agreed they weren’t dating because there was no future for them.But boy oh boy, she would’ve loved getting to know him fully.

“What do you have planned for today?”he asked.His breath teased the small tendrils of her hair.

“I’m helping Payton in the office today.”

“Okay,” he said, pulling back to look at her.“Want to grab lunch together?”

She smiled and headed for the coffeepot.“I’d love that.”

“Hey,” he began, and she glanced at him over her shoulder.“I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind staying in touch when you leave to go back to your pack.”

“I was just thinking about that.”

“Oh?We must be thinking alike.”

“Yeah, we must.”She leaned her hip against the counter and sipped at the hot beverage.“Would you freak out if I said I like you?”

“No, because I like you back.”

“Enough to maybe go on a date?I know we said no dates, just fucking, but—”

“Kinleigh,” he interrupted, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her in tight.“I would love to go on a date with you.How about we go to dinner tonight?Maybe dancing.Or mini-golf.Or rock climbing.Or whatever, if you have any ideas.”

“I love all those ideas,” she replied, draping her arms over his shoulders.“I’m down for anything.”

He placed a soft, tender kiss on her mouth.“Okay, let’s make this official.Kinleigh Shire, would you like to go on a dinner date with me tonight?”

“I would love to, Daire Nolin.”

“That wasn’t so hard,” he said and gave her another kiss.“As much as I’d love to continue this, I have to get to work.”

“Damn work, always getting in the way.”

“Right?”He gave her nose a little bump with his own.“Have a great day, beautiful.”

“You too, sexy HVAC man.”

He laughed as he grabbed his lunch cooler and waved her goodbye.

****

“So,” Kinleigh saidnonchalantly as she filed a large pile of invoices.“Daire and I are going on a date.”

Payton cocked her head.“Technically, haven’t you gone on dates?”

“They were non-date dates.”

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