Page 41 of The Little Black Rose

That’s why I’d apologized to her that night before heading to bed. It was obvious I’d gotten swept up in the moment and wanted to kiss her. She ran away, letting me know she didn’t share my desire.

But then she showed up at my door, asking me flat-out if I wanted to kiss her. And fuck, it was a great kiss. I almost didn’t stop, but I caught myself before I took things too far. If we do take things to the next level again, I want her to be sure. I don’t want to take advantage of any confused feelings she may have about me being the father of her children.

I want her towantme.

Iwanther, but I can’t offer her more than sex. I don’t know if she’d even expect more, but I do know sex complicates things. If she starts to form feelings I can’t––and won’t––return, it could ruin our relationship, making it impossible to create the easy, caring little family unit I’ve envisioned when the babies are born.

Is finally having her again worth the risk?

“Shit, Zeke. What’s burning?”

I snap out of my thoughts as Zoey rushes into the kitchen. The buzzing of the timer beats against my eardrums as I spin around and rush toward the fryer. The scent of burnt dough assails my nostrils as I pull the basket up and hook it above the oil to drain. The batch is ruined.

“Sorry,” I say, my back still to Zoey. “I guess I zoned out for a minute and didn’t hear the timer.”

“You’ve been doing that a lot, lately,” she observes. “What’s going on with you?”

“Nothing.”

“Zeke,” she says, her voice laced with impatience, “we shared a womb. I know you better than anyone. Talk to me.”

I look over at the clock on the wall. Zoey’s early, and we don’t have to open the shop for another twenty minutes. Taking a deep breath and heaving it out, I turn to face her.

“I kissed Ava, and now it’s all I can think about. That’s why I’ve been so distracted the last few days.”

She nods thoughtfully. “I had a feeling this might happen.”

“What do you mean?”

“There’s obviously an attraction between you two, or you wouldn’t be in this situation to begin with. Spending so much time together has apparently only made that attraction stronger.”

“Has she said anything to you about it?”

“Do you think I’d tell you if she did?” she counters.

“So much for sharing a womb,” I grumble, moving back to finish frosting the donuts I’d been working on.

“Sisters before misters, and that includes twin brothers,” she says, then leans a hip against the table where I’m working. “What are you so afraid of?”

“Who says I’m afraid?”

“Uh…you? You just said you can’t stop thinking about that kiss. And it must’ve been something, if you’re burning pastries. I can’t remember you ever doing that before.”

“Thanks for the reminder,” I mutter.

“Are you afraid you’ll fall in love with her?” she asks, startling me.

I meet her gaze. “I’m not falling for anyone,ever. You know this, Zoey.”

“You may think that now, but the heart wants what the heart wants, brother mine.”

With that, she spins around and leaves me alone to finish my work. I frown as I ponder her words. No. It’s not myheartthat wants her. That need resides in an organ a little further south.

No. I need to start thinking with the head on my shoulders, not the one between my legs. I can’t live like this anymore. I need to eradicate any thoughts of kissing Ava, much less doing more. Things are perfect just the way they are.

And I refuse to let a moment’s gratification fuck everything up.

* * *

---