Page 31 of To Catch a Thief

“That’s fantastic.” He smiled but kept his distance from her.

Wasn’t he going to kiss her? She swallowed back her disappointment and headed for her car. “My…boss…offered to let me stay in the second-floor apartment while my mother is in the hospital.”

“That’s nice. You’ll be neighbors with Kaden. At least until he moves.”

Kaden? Ah, the guy who’d had dinner with Sage.

“Do you need help moving?” he asked. “I’m not cleared to drive yet, but I could help pack or unpack.”

“I won’t have much. Just clothes. The place is furnished.” They were in the parking lot. “Did you want a ride home?”

“It wasn’t the reason I waited.” He set her dessert on top of her car. Then pulled her into his arms. “This was.”

She dropped her tote and tipped her face to his.

His lips were as firm as she remembered. So was the way he took over the kiss, took over her mouth. Each stroke of his tongue drove adrenaline through her tired muscles. Her exhaustion faded as his hands stroked her back. With a groan, he pressed her against the car. The metal carried the warmth of the day. It matched the heat racing through her from everywhere his hands or mouth moved.

He pulled away, panting. “I wish…”

“Yes?” Her voice was breathless, like she’d held a note too long.

“I wish I’d known you’d longer so you’d feel comfortable staying with me.” He dropped his forehead to hers.

Her arms tightened around his waist. “This is fast.”

“I know. I don’t want to scare you.”

Was she scared? “I’m not afraid.”

“Is the offer for a ride still open or are you exhausted?” he asked.

“Yes.”

He raised his eyebrows. “Yes, you’re tired or yes—”

“Yes, I would love to give you a ride.” She pressed onto her toes and kissed him. “It lets me spend more time with you.”

He tugged her so they were fully aligned chest to breast, thigh to thigh. His arms anchored her to his body in a breathtaking hug.

Her body melted. She held on, letting him soothe away her stress. Delight bloomed inside her heart like a light in the darkness. Then guilt came and squashed the glimmer of hope. She should be thinking of Mamá, not her own selfish happiness.

But she wanted to keep seeing Sage.

* * *

“NO.” CAROLINA PUSHED the tip Sage tried to leave back across the counter.

“You earned it.” Sage stepped away from the bar.

Her shoulders itched. She shouldn’t be taking money from him. It didn’t feel right.

Last Friday and Saturday, Sage had sat on the same barstool. Now it was Thursday, her first shift of the week, and he was back. Just having him smile at her across the counter helped her forget the reality of her mother’s cancer. At least for a while. And his kisses…my, my, my. The Texan could kiss. Every moment she spent with Sage added to her bank of happiness. Something to draw on when she would be alone again.

“You ran all night, getting my drinks and dinner.” Sage narrowed his eyes. “Don’t you think I value your service?”

“I… I don’t know.” Wasn’t it wrong to take money from someone she’d kissed? Someone who made her day brighter?

“Are you done?” he asked.

She checked the clock. “Yes.”

“Go.” Naomi waved her hand. “Your hunky barfly awaits.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” Carolina said.

“With your shadow?” Naomi’s eyebrows wiggled up and down.

“I don’t know.” She hoped so.

Carolina ripped off her apron, closed out her till and ducked under the counter.

“I’ll grab my stuff. Meet me at the stairs?” she said.

“Sounds good.” Sage nodded.

In the locker room, she stripped down to her tank top and stuffed her polo in her tote. On the way through the kitchen, she picked up the brownies Abby had set aside for her. Was it too early in their relationship to invite him up to the apartment? She chewed her lip. They could have dessert. And talk. They were good at talking. She hurried around the building.

Sage sat on the steps to the apartment. “That was fast.”

“I was motivated.” She clapped her hand over her mouth. Confessing her eagerness might scare him off.

He took her elbow and they headed up the steps. He bumped into her as they climbed.

“Are you okay?” Earlier he’d said he was frustrated that the doctor wouldn’t let him go back to work.

“It’s a balance thing. I haven’t done many steps since the accident.”

She put her hand under his arm. He ripped his elbow away.

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