Page 58 of Unexpected Kisses

Me:Okay, but I can cook and I have chocolate already

AJ:I insist. Save your food, my treat

Me:Thank you

* * *

As expected, this afternoon dragged and I couldn’t concentrate for the rest of the day. I may as well have gone straight home after AJ’s message. My mind kept running in circles ofwhat-if—making me almost dizzy as I leave for the day. The humidity is shocking as I step from the air-conditioned building onto the sidewalk. I stop at the liquor store and grab a couple of craft beers I know AJ will enjoy. Even though I’m not drinking, there’s no reason for him to miss out and even though I’m careful with my money, he deserves a treat.

I walk through the door of my apartment and immediately slip off my shoes; as cute as these shoes are, by the end of the day they pinch my feet. I glance at the clock and decide I’ve got time for a shower so long as I don’t linger.

At six-thirty, there’s a knock on the door. My stomach immediately rolls with anticipation for our ‘talk,’ and my palms are instantly damp. I draw in a deep breath in the hopes of calming myself and answer the damn door. My heart skips a beat as I lay eyes on AJ in a navy and white striped V-neck T-shirt and navy shorts. His warm brown eyes lock on me and his lips slowly tip up. He holds up the food, which is dangling from two fingers, making his bicep bulge. I drag my tongue across my bottom lip.Stop it!

His smile drops and I’m certain he moans low in his throat, but I can’t be sure. He swallows and I watch his Adam’s apple bob. So damn sexy. Everything about this man is like he was made to my exact specifications. Frown lines form above his brows. “Sarah?”

I realize I’ve been standing in the open doorway looking at him like he’s a piece of meat.Good one!I quickly move into action, stepping out of the way so he can pass through. “Sorry.”

He leans in, landing a kiss on my lips but doesn’t linger. His scent surrounds me, overwhelming my senses like it always does. “Are you okay? And don’t tell me you’re fine if you’re not. You can be honest with me.”

“I’m fine. Honestly. Nothing a delicious dinner won’t fix, followed by some chocolate, Midol, and a heat pack.”

He places the food on the counter and steps back into my space. He gently cups the side of my face and I barely resist the temptation to press into his large hand. His eyes slowly trace every single inch of my face. “Your eyes are incredible. The way they’re always changing color. I hope our baby has your eyes.” I suck in a sharp breath. He said,our baby. Notyourbaby butours. Does that mean something or am I getting carried away as usual?

“Th-thank you. I have the same eyes as Emma and Max, which we get from our mom.” Great Sarah. He’s paying you a compliment, not seeking a family genetics lesson.

He smiles. “Well, you’re all very lucky.” He points to his warm chocolate eyes. “Mine are boring. Always the same color, day in, day out.”

“I don’t know about boring. You have warm eyes, caring and inviting.” I slam my mouth closed. Now I’ve said too much.

“You think so?” I nod. We stand silently, trapped in each other’s gaze for I don’t know how long. He swallows again and my eyes drop to watch the action and unbidden, I mirror him. He reaches up and slides a lock of my hair through his fingers, his eyes dropping to watch, then lift back to mine as he releases the strands. “I guess we should eat before the food gets cold.”

I take a step back and chuckle nervously. We just had a moment, right? I wasn’t imagining it. “Good idea.” Trying to lighten the tone, I rub my hands together. “What delicious treat did you bring with you tonight?”

“Vietnamese. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Oh, I don’t think I’ve eaten Vietnamese food before.”

“Well, you’re in for a treat. The freshness of the flavors is something else.”

He moves around my kitchen with familiarity and busies himself dishing up plates of food, while I pull out a beer for him and pour myself a glass of filtered water. When he places our dinner on my small table, his eyes snap up to mine. “You didn’t have to get me beer.”

I shrug. “I figured it’s the least I could do since you were bringing dinner. I bought a six-pack, so you can take home whatever you don’t drink while you’re here.”

“I can leave it here for next time.” He sits, not realizing the impact his words have on me. I guess that means he’s not telling me he needs to stop helping me with my pregnancy plan.

I take my first bite of the rolls AJ put on my plate and the fresh flavors burst across my tongue. “Mmm, you weren’t kidding. This is delicious.”

He nods at me with a mouthful of food, his eyes smiling. He chews and swallows. “Right?”

We continue to eat as he fills me in on the meeting he had with Oliver over the phone today. He asked him and Dylan to test out the system for theParkerville Project. Apparently, theCornerStone Foundationsupports it by providing the majority of its funding. They had money stolen a couple of years ago, and Oliver wants to ensure their system is secure and there is no possibility of it happening again.

“So, if we do a good job on that project, securing their systems to prevent possible future fraud, he said the next job we do for him would be to check overStone Corporate Investments.” AJ’s excitement is palpable, and I can’t help but get caught up in it with him. “This is a huge coup for us. With the job we recently won, then the one from Vegas, and now this one, big business will be beating down our door.”

I lean forward, awkwardly engulfing AJ in a hug. “Congratulations. I’m so happy for you guys.”

“Thanks. Dylan and I couldn’t be happier with how our business is growing. We may need to take on another team member, which would be incredible.”

“Oh, wow. Thatisa big deal.”

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