Page 35 of Once Upon a Summer Night

She snorted. “Like that would ever happen.”

“Nope.” He eased closer, arms circling her waist. “Of course, I’d expect no less from you.”

“No?”

Chase dipped his head to whisper in her ear. “Nope.”

A shiver rattled through her, bringing a smile to his lips. He pressed them to the shell of her ear. Then to that soft spot behind her earlobe.

“What are you doing?” she asked softly, amusement in her voice.

“Kissing you.” His nose skimmed her cheek. “Is that a problem?”

She placed her hands on his chest. “I don’t know. Part of me thinks it could be.”

“And the other part?” he asked, his nose skimming hers.

Hannah’s lips parted, her warm breath drifting over his skin. “It’s telling me to stop thinking and just kiss you.”

“I’m siding with that part.” His lips feathered across hers. Her eyes drifted shut. “Can I kiss you, Hannah?”

At her nod, Chase pressed his lips gently to hers. This kiss was far different from their last, both people active, knowing participants. Where the kiss at work had been intense and commanding, this might have been the sweetest he’d ever shared.

Tentative. Soft. Unhurried.

Perfect.

Chase pulled her closer, and Hannah’s hands shifted to cup his cheeks. The kiss continued, sweet and gentle—the way he’d always pictured their first kiss might go. Searching, exploring, safe. Kissing her felt as natural as breathing. He could have stayed like this all night.

“Hannah?”

At Noah’s groggy voice from the other room, Hannah’s eyes opened. She slipped out of Chase’s grasp and offered him a bashful smile as Noah shuffled into the kitchen.

“Everything okay, sweetheart?” she asked, kneeling with her arms open to receive the sleepy boy.

Noah nodded as he stepped into her embrace, his head coming to rest on her shoulder. “I didn’t know where you were.”

“I’m right here, honey. But I think it’s time we get you back to the farm and into bed.”

She rose and lifted him off the ground, his legs automatically curling around her waist as though they’d done this countless times. Most likely, they had. Noah’s eyes drifted shut as Hannah ran a hand over his shaggy hair. She looked to Chase, her expression apologetic.

“It is getting late,” he said to ease her worries. He pressed a kiss to the top of Noah’s head and another to Hannah’s lips. It was nice, being able to act without thinking this time. “Come on, I’ll walk you two out.”

“Thank you,” she said as they made their way to her Jeep. “For everything.”

“Anytime.”

She got Noah buckled into his booster seat, then closed the door softly and turned to Chase. He pulled her in for a goodnight hug, then bent to press one last kiss to her lips. For tonight, anyway. He planned to give her countless more, so long as she let him.

“Aren’t you worried?” she asked softly.

Chase frowned. “About?”

“This. Us.” She placed a hand on his cheek, her gaze searching his. “I don’t want to lose my best friend.”

“You won’t,” he pledged, raising a hand to cover hers. “Ever. Whatever this does or doesn’t become, I’ll always be here for you.”

“Promise?” she whispered.

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