Page 58 of Kisses Sweeter than Wine

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TALBOT

Talbot pulled back the covers—to both sides of the bed. Her heart raced as she climbed on top of the mattress. She glanced down at her pathetic excuse for pajamas. Her tank top and shorts weren’t ugly but couldn’t be considered sexy.

What the hell was she thinking?

The door squeaked, and Merlot sauntered in with a smile. “Hey, you.”

“I don’t know if I can do this,” she blurted out. “Our son is on the sofa down the hall watching a movie and eating popcorn.”

“Actually, he just stepped outside with his rifle to go do rounds.”

She groaned. “Not the point and not helping.”

Merlot eased next to her, resting his hand on her bare leg. “We don’t have to do anything. I can take the guest room and have Corbin take the couch. Or the other way around.”

“I’m afraid if we do that, we’ll disappoint our son. When I said good night, he seemed so happy about you and me being a couple again.”

“This shouldn’t be about him. If we’re going to be together, it should be because we want it.”

She took his hand and pressed it against the center of her chest. “I do want you. That’s not what I’m saying. This is just awkward. Not only did Corbin tell me he approved, but he gave me a lecture on safe sex.”

Merlot burst out laughing.

“It’s not funny.”

“Oh, yes, it is.” He leaned back, stuffing his hand in his pocket. “Especially when he handed me these right before he strapped his weapon over his shoulder.” He held out three condoms. “I should be thrilled he thinks his old man has the stamina, but I had no idea what to say for a few seconds.”

“He’s always been a bit of a class clown. He’s like Zinny that way.” She took the foil packages and set them on the nightstand.

“I’d have to agree with that statement,” Merlot said. “I’m amazed at how quickly he’s accepted everything.”

“He’s always been very adaptable. However, he will dig his heels in if he disagrees with something. He can be stubborn as hell.”

“I have noticed that.” Merlot’s fingers danced across her skin. “I need to know something.”

“Okay.” She stared into his warm, loving eyes.

“Let’s say we take care of Richard, would you consider staying in Candlewood Falls?”

She palmed his face. “Is that really a question you have to ask?”

He took her hand and kissed it. “Yes.”

“I want to move back here. I have no idea what I’d do for work, so that’s a problem, but if the stars align and my dad goes to prison, there isn’t any place on earth I’d rather be.”

“First, I already offered you a job, so that’s taken care of.” He ran his thumb over her lip. “And secondly, don’t you think we should take a test drive and make sure we’re still compatible?”

“Did you seriously just say that?”

“It came out a little sideways.” He arched a brow. “It’s a little strange we’re talking about a future together after twenty-one years and we haven’t even gone out on a date, much less shared a bed.”

She waggled her finger. “My memory is a little fuzzy, but I did spend the night in your arms recently.”

He shook his head. “I’m trying to be serious. I’ve never stopped loving you. If it’s possible, I might love you more now than I did when we were teenagers. But there are things about us that are different and we can’t expect to pick up where we left off.”

“I don’t think that’s what we’re doing.” Feeling more confident in herself and her decision, she tugged at his shirt. “We’re giving ourselves a fresh start. We’re doing whatever it takes to ensure we have a chance at starting over. Isn’t that why we’re letting our son put himself in the line of fire?”

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