Page 25 of Hers to Hold
Kady’s expression was somewhat…blank. Like she didn’t want him to know what she was thinking.Too heavy. I’ve gotta stop talking about war. He cleared his throat and half-chuckled.“Sorry. Probably not the best conversation for a dinner party.”
Her fingers briefly touched his thigh. “Don’t apologize. I still have to vote, right?”
“Please tell me you’re not considering the other guy.”
“What other guy?”
Her sweetly innocent face drew his laugh and he found his arm around her shoulder, his fingers gliding along the curve of her collarbone. “That’s why I like you.”
Her lips hooded, and she stared openly at his lips. “I like you too,” she breathed.
Doc would definitely disapprove.He was supposed to steer clear of Kady. If he wanted to make consistent progress with conquering his triggers, then a relationship was out of the question.
And he wasn’t a one-night stand kind of guy.
He didn’t think Kady would respect the casual treatment. And he wouldn’t do that to her. She deserved more than a messed up ex-soldier who couldn’t tell the difference between a plate shattering and an exploding ordinance.
He gently hooked his arm around her neck, drawing her closer.
Doc would say he was risking his recovery for a kiss. A chance to experience meaningful mutual attraction that was doomed to fail because he wasn’t completely whole. Wes would expect Kady to complete him; and he would eventually blame her for any setbacks.
If he were a true gentleman, then he’d protect her from himself.
Wes thought all of this up until the point he slanted his lips over Kady’s.
Chapter 11
Her soft moans of satisfaction filled Kady’s ears as she lost herself in the bliss of Wes’s kiss. His mouth urged hers open, and she complied while pushing herself against him, discontent with the distance between their bodies. The hand that was on her waist earlier was resting comfortably at the lowest dip of her back, pressing her closer. His thick bicep at the base of her neck left her no choice but to keep her lips locked with his.
And so she did.
It wasn’t a bad way to spend an evening. He tasted like hazelnut and man, his warm lips both soft and demanding. Butterflies swarmed her stomach pooling at the bottom and causing her to shiver in sheer delight.
She was supposed to be using him for information not gratification. Her hands weren’t supposed to trace battle-hardened muscles; her lips weren’t for indulging in the sensual dance of a toe-curling kiss.
When they parted, their heavy breaths filled the small space between them. Their gazes magnetized, and Kady found herself drowning in his eyes…
And not wanting to breathe.
She cleared her throat, awkwardly giggled, and slid a few inches away. When his brows meshed, she hooked a thumb toward the kitchen window. “They can probably see us.”
His neck colored. “You’re right.” His expression turned downcast. “And I’m not sure how Chastity would react to…the two of us. Especially after what happened with her mother.”
Kady bit her bottom lip, her eyes going to the window where she could see the kitchen and dining area. Kat and Kori were standing at the island, their heads close together as though they didn’t want anyone overhearing their conversation while their husbands were sitting at the table laughing and eating more pie. She couldn’t see Wes’s daughter, but the movie was still playing in the den.
What am I doing?
She couldn’t use this man for information. He had a daughter that she was really starting to like,and he’s the most amazing kisser. It was wrong. Unethical. Cruel. Chastity’s mother had abandoned her.
Kady’s eyes strayed to Wes, who was staring out into the distance. Was he looking for a replacement mother?I could be his rebound, in a parental sense.
And she wasn’t ready for that. Not if she was honest with herself. And she imagined Chastity wasn’t ready for a new mother either.She’ll probably need therapy for the dysfunction she’s had to deal with.
Therapy.
Was Wes was in a program for his PTSD issue? Was it a good idea for him to be in a relationship?
Wait a minute, Kady. You’re getting ahead of yourself. One kiss—okay, two kisses—doesn’t make a relationship. It’s…casual. No! Exploratory.
