Page 38 of Seasoned with Love (Prosperity Ranch 4)

She tilted her head. “We could make it a thing.”

His fingers brushed hers, then curled around them in a loose hold.

Cara was pretty sure her heart was thundering loud enough for both of them to hear. His fingers were warm, and his touch sent a rush of heat across her skin.

“You’re leaning again,” she whispered.

The edges of his lips lifted. “Am I?”

She nodded. Then, because she was tired of waiting, and until now hadn’t realized she was waiting, she decided to do something about it. She lifted up on her toes. Placing her other hand on his chest, she pressed her mouth against his.

She hadn’t intended to kiss him tonight—or ever, for that matter. But now that she was, she hoped he’d kiss her back. Because Roman’s lips were warm and full, and the stubble on his jaw scraped her skin as she kissed him.

His response was slow in coming, but when it did, she decided the wait was very much worth it.

Roman released her hand and settled both hands at her hips. His capable hands drew her tightly against him as he angled his mouth to hers, taking their kiss deeper. He was in no rush, though, and neither was Cara. Although her thumping heart seemed to think she was running a race.

Keeping her firmly anchored against him, Roman explored her mouth. Tasting, teasing, searching. It was all she could do to hang onto him, with both hands gripping his shirt as her mind spun and her body became weightless. She was absolute putty in this man’s embrace.

Had he kissed Stacy like this?

This thought alone brought Cara up short. Was she like Stacy, falling for a man who didn’t have anything more to give beyond a fling?

No .. . her mind whispered.

Enjoy the moment . . . her heart countered.

Roman broke off from the kiss and rested his forehead against hers. “Wow,” he whispered. “I wasn’t expecting you to kiss me.”

For some reason, Cara started laughing. Probably a combination of nerves and exhilaration, and a little bit of relief that he’d kissed her back.

Roman drew back a couple of inches, his expression confused, and rightly so. “What?”

“I’m sorry,” Cara said, making an effort to catch her breath. “I just . . . Well, I didn’t plan on kissing you, then I kissed you a little. But I think you’re the one who kissed me the most.”

His smile appeared. “Ah. True. But you started it, pen pal.”

She laughed again, and Roman moved his hands to cradle her face.

“What am I going to do with you, Cara Prosper?” he murmured just before he kissed her again.

This kiss wasn’t the thorough one of passion from the moment before. This kiss was a soft, lingering one. Tame, yet not tame at all.

Roman broke it off again, and this time he stepped away, dropping his hands and breaking contact completely.

She couldn’t take her eyes off of him as he stared at her, his breathing audible.

“Uh, can you handle the rest of this on your own?” he said in a rasp.

Cara blinked. “Of course—”

“Okay, great. I’ve gotta . . . uh, I’m going on a walk.” He turned then and headed out of the kitchen.

Cara didn’t move as she listened to him leave the house through the front door. Had he even taken a coat? She stood in the kitchen alone, with only her thudding heart and swollen lips as a reminder of what had just taken place.

Was he regretting everything now? Or was he trying to figure out how this had all happened—like she was?

Was this a crush? A fling? A perfect storm?

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