Page 12 of Hers to Hold
“What do you mean?”
“You protected me at the bakery, and now you’re comforting me…”
He angled his head back. “I protected you from a child’s clumsiness. And, if I recall correctly, you comforted me first.”
Hand still on her cheek, she pressed into it. “I guess I did.”
The color of his eyes deepened while his pupils dilated. When his gaze dropped south, Kady held her breath. His lips were slanted over hers before she had time to shut her eyes. And they were off before she could open them again.
Wes backed into the table behind. “I…” He looked panicked, his breathing heavy. “I amsosorry.”
“It was just a kiss.” Kady swept her hair behind one ear, her eyes scanning the room searching for something more interesting than the man whose kiss still singed her lips.
Her boss was right about one thing: there was something between them. Kady didn’t understand it and, by the look on Wes’s face, neither did he. Whatever connection they had, it was strong enough to subdue all reason and objectivity and let him kiss her.I’ve got to be careful here. He’s an assignment, not a potential lover.
“There’s no reason to apologize,” she continued. “It’s not like I slapped you or anything.” Her eyes hesitantly returned to his.
“You should’ve,” he said gruffly.
“Forget it.” Kady placed her hands on the top box she delivered. “Consider it a…thank you for holding me.”
“Anytime.”
Boy, she wanted him to hold her again. In fact, he could even kiss her. She closed her eyes, her imagination demanding attention. She struggled to remain in the present.
“So, ah, you planning on being a baker?” he asked.
Her eyes snapped open.Focus, Kady.“Um, the thought hadn’t really crossed my mind. I’m sorta between jobs right now.” She faced him, forcing a smile she hoped relayed how far in the past their kiss was.
“What are you looking to do?”
She shrugged and chuckled as nervously as she could. “Not really sure.”
His cheeks colored before he grinned. “You’d probably do well in therapy. Sure calmed me down.”
What job had kissing as a main function? Because even a second of his lips had made an impression Kady was having a hard time dismissing.
“I hadn’t thought about that. I…have a friend whose brother is dealing with PTSD. It’s challenging, but he’s a good man who deserves the best.”
“That’s a nice thing to say.”
“It’s the truth. What could be easier to say than that?”
Wes frowned and dropped his gaze. “A lot, actually.”
If he meant lying, then he was right. She’d already done that to him, how many times in the last few minutes? Kady bit her lip and looked away. She was supposed to be doing something here and had a feeling the opportunity was slipping from her grasp.
What wasn’t slipping from her mind was his kiss.
The trailer door swung open and Drew Callaghan appeared. Even with his hard hat shading some of his features, Kady understood the draw Kat had to this guy. He never took a bad picture from all the press clippings Kady read. The man was as impressive in person.
He stepped inside, a wide grin on his face. “Hello? I’m Drew.” He extended his hand. “And you are?”
“This is Kadynce,” Wes hurriedly stepped forward. “She works at Kat’s bakery and made a special delivery today.”
“Fantastic!” He shook her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Kadynce. Thanks a lot for the—is that them?” He pointed to the box and moved around her. “I’m starving.”
Kady and Wes shared an anxious look. What was he thinking? Because she kind of felt a little like she’d just been caught with a boy in her room when that hadn’t been the case. They were two consenting adults who had just…kissed.
