Page 36 of Final Chance At Love (Chance At Love Duet 2)

“Would you rather they didn’t like me?”

“I don’t think I’ve met a person yet that doesn’t like you,” he replied with a sigh. “Even my chef who has never met you likes you because you had us eat dinner at home for an entire week.”

I chuckled at that. “Well, you can tell him I like him too because his cooking is delicious. My offer to marry him still stands. I always wanted to marry a cook. That way I’d never have to cook, and I’d always have the most delicious meals.”

Kristoff’s fingers were playing with my hair, and I was still sitting on his lap. After a few minutes of silence, I just went for it.

“Listen, Kristoff,” I started gently. “I made you a promise.” I drew a deep breath because I really hated confrontations and unpleasant topics. “If you don’t trust me to keep that promise, we should seriously talk. And maybe this arrangement we have is no longer wise.”

I couldn’t believe I just said it. It was the last thing I wanted! I had fallen in love with Kristoff so hard that I couldn’t even imagine not seeing him without feeling sad.

“I trust you, Gemma,” Kristoff groaned, locking our eyes. “It is them I don't trust.”

He brushed his lips against mine, in a quick kiss. “C’mon, let’s call it a night. I’ll walk you to your car. You promised me a hike this weekend. And I want you to be plenty rested.”

“Yes, I did,” I answered with a smile and kissed him one more time. “The girls are looking forward to it and have been preparing all week.”

“Good, I am looking forward to it too,” he replied. “And I promise I’ll be on my best behavior tomorrow. I’ll make sure you leave early.” I guess that was the closest I’d see to an apology from him today, I mused.

Chapter Twelve

The weekend came and we all went hiking with Kristoff.

It was one of the best weekends I’d ever had. We went strolling through the mountains of Western Maryland and then camped overnight by the lake. The kids were so worn out by the time we set up camp and had a fire going, they were out cold before the last ray of sun disappeared. Once we safely tucked the kids into the sleeping bags in the tent, Kristoff and I sat in front of the campfire perfectly content.

“This was a great idea,” Kristoff whispered in my ear, my back pressed against his chest as we sat facing the fire as his arms enveloped around me.

“I have few great ideas up my sleeve.” I turned my head back to face him with a happy smile and kissed him on the cheek. Even though warm weather was here, nights were still chilly and his body heat seeped into me.

“We should do this every year,” he suggested as we both stared at the first, and my heart skipped a beat. Or possibly several beats.

Maybe it’s time,I thought to myself.

“I agree.” My voice came through a bit shaky. I was nervous to ask the question.

“Kristoff, we never finished talking about the contract,” I started nervously and quickly tried to add a bit of humor into it. “And my feeble attempt to renegotiate with the toughest negotiator I’ve ever met.”

He gently bit my earlobe. “No, we haven’t finished that topic.” I waited a bit but he just left it at that.

I moved slightly away from him to turn around and kneeled facing him with fire at my back. He remained in the same sitting position, as if he was waiting for me to come back so he could wrap his arms around me.

“Don’t you think we should?” I asked, feeling brave.

“You want to sign it?” His voice held humor but his eyes did not.

I tried to smile but wasn’t sure if I succeeded. “No negotiation?”

He pulled me closer and I propped myself up on one hand aware I was in a doggy position, our faces inches from each other. With our locked gazes, I couldn’t help but feel sexy, although it was unintentional.

“Beautiful,” he murmured, his voice tight, a tremble in its depths and desire in his eyes. “You will be my undoing. I’m trying hard to just hang on your promise to be faithful and keep the contract out of the game.”

“Oh.” I wasn’t prepared for the conversation to go that way. His lips met mine, his tongue gentle stroke, the taste of him all spice I had come to crave. He stopped the kiss and pulled me back into our original sitting position, his arms around me as we faced the campfire and my mind a drunken haze.

He was compromising, for me!A happy smile plastered on my face and hope in my heart, I felt lightest than ever.

My heart was lost to this man forever. I wanted to hug him and shout out into the night that I loved him. I was crazy about him, loved him and wanted him more with each passing day. He truly engraved himself into every fiber of my being.

The weekend was over too soon.

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