Page 76 of The Pink House

She brought a finger to her lips. “Not ten minutes ago, I swore I couldn’t eat another bite, but—”

“The warm butter cake with ice cream could be considered research.” He flashed her a devilish smile. “We could split it?”

Hannah grinned. “You've got yourself a deal.”

* * *

By the time Charlie pulled into her driveway, Hannah was seized with mixed emotions. Though she’d been up early baking, and the day had been a long one, she wasn’t ready for her time with Charlie to end.

She shifted in her seat to face him. “I don’t know about you, but this has been a top-ten day for me.”

“It isn’t over yet.” Charlie pushed open the car door and stepped out. “There’s still the walk to your front door.”

“A gentleman to the core.”

“I try.”

When he opened her car door and offered his hand, she took it.

The surge of electricity when her flesh met his had her inhaling sharply. Instead of releasing her hand once she was out of the car, he held it as they climbed the steps to her porch.

When they reached the front door, she turned to him. “Seriously, thank you for an amazing, marvelous day.”

He brushed a strand of hair back from her face with the tip of one finger. “Seriously, it was my pleasure.”

She knew he was going to kiss her. Knew it as well as she knew her own name. She tipped her face up to his.

For a second, just a split second, he hesitated. Then his mouth closed over hers.

This kiss was nothing like the brief brushes of lips they’d shared before. While this might have started out as a gentle melding of mouths, when his arms slid around her and her fingers tangled in his hair, the kiss went from zero to sixty in a heartbeat.

The heat that flowed through her veins was jet-fuel hot. His kisses didn’t so much devour as consume. Want and need that she’d thought had been buried with Brian had her wanting to pull Charlie inside and tear off his clothes.

Brian.

Hannah jerked back, her breath coming in short puffs. She resisted the urge to touch her tingling lips. “Good night, Charlie.”

His dark eyes turned watchful. “Everything okay?”

She offered what she hoped was a bright smile. “Everything is wonderful.”

“Okay, then.” Shoving his hands into his pockets, he rocked back on his heels. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Yes, see you tomorrow.” She waited until he stepped off the porch before slipping inside.

CHAPTERTWENTY

That night, Hannah dreamed. She was standing in a field enjoying the sun on her face when she spotted a man in the distance walking toward her. As he drew close, her heart flip-flopped. Joy, rich and lush, flooded her.

She took off running, stumbling in her rush to reach him.

When she drew close, his expression brightened in welcome. A feeling of rightness stole over her as she slid into his arms. Here he was. Here he was.

But when Hannah lifted her face to him and his lips closed over hers, she realized it was Charlie she kissed, not Brian. Charlie who held her tightly against his chest as if he never wanted to let her go. Charlie who tenderly stroked her hair.

Hannah woke with a start, her heart racing. Though she told herself it was only a dream, the intense feelings lingered.

Swiping at her damp cheeks, she sat up in bed, yearning for the moment in her dream when Charlie’s arms had wrapped around her, and everything in her world had felt right.

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