Page 109 of Mine For The Winter

And yeah, she understood that. Understood how impossible it was not to fall for a man who loved your child. Who showed him kindness, who took care of him, would do anything to make him happy.

But it was more than that. She’d always been in love with Kris Winter. First as friends, then as more. And now?

It was like a tidal wave. Impossible to ignore. Impossible to run away from.

The perfect way to drown. If only she’d let herself.

Kris slid his hand down her back, to the swell of her behind, pulling her against him as he kissed her neck. Damn she loved that. Too much. It was impossible not to let out a loud sigh as her body responded to his touch.

And then she yawned.

It wasn’t deliberate. More the result of a fourteen hour shift that had left her almost broken. “Oh Lord, I’m sorry.”

He started to laugh. “Am I boring you?”

“No. I’m just… gah. I’m an idiot.”

He cupped her face with his hands. They felt warm against her chilled skin. How did that happen? Did he have some kind of internal heater? “You’re not an idiot. You’re exhausted. Now go inside and I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“I wish you could come inside with me. I sleep better when you’re around.”

He looked pleased at that. “I wish I could, too. And maybe soon I will.”

“You sound sure of yourself.” She liked that a bit too much.

“Yeah, well I apparently have a second in command.” He pressed his lips together. “Cole wants me to be your boyfriend.”

“What?” Her mouth dropped open. “How did that come up?”

“I don’t know. He was just saying that he wanted me to stay around. And that I make you happy. Apparently, he doesn’t mind if we’re boyfriend and girlfriend as long as we don’t do – and I quote – ‘kissy stuff’ in front of him.”

“Eek.” She grimaced. “I’m sorry. I didn’t ask him to say anything.”

“I know you didn’t.” He pressed his lips against the tip of her nose. “I know you, sweetheart. You’d do anything for him not to say anything.”

She yawned again, this time it was so big it was embarrassing. He smiled and pulled her scarf back around her. “Go inside,” he said. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“I have another all day shift.”

“I know. This time I can come help.”

“What?”

“I’ll come work with you. I figure it’s a win-win, I get to spend some time with you and you get some free labor.”

Her eyes met his and she felt every muscle inside of her soften. This man was going to kill her.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “I’d like that a lot.”

“Me, too.” He grinned and kissed her again then walked to his car.

* * *

“Mom, I feel sick.”

Kelly blinked, trying to push the sleep from her eyes and focus on her son standing in her bedroom doorway. She’d fallen asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow, and though it was still dark she had no idea what the time was.

“Okay honey, let’s head for the bathroom.” Her voice was groggy but she’d already jumped out of bed. Damn the diner and the soda and too much food. She put her hand on Cole’s back and led him down the hallway to the bathroom at the back.

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