Page 59 of Mine For The Winter

“If you can hear me I can hear you. And so can Cole.”

Kelly’s eyes met Kris’. “Shit.”

“I heard that, too,” her dad hollered, and Kelly rolled her eyes.

“He didn’t,” she told Kris, her voice low. “He just knows me too well.” She reached for his wrist, circling her fingers around it. The contact of her skin against his made his body heat up. “Come outside,” she said, inclining her head to the door.

“Sure.” It was stupid how much he was enjoying this. He’d always liked the dynamic between Kelly and her dad. So different to the way he’d spoken to his own parents. And the way they’d treated him.

He slid his wrist out of the bracelet of her fingers and grasped her palm, liking the way her breath had a little stutter at his touch.

Did she feel this too? This stupid yearning? Laura would probably say it was a need to be young again. To be the kids they once were.

The ones who, for just a moment, couldn’t keep their hands off each other.

Whatever it was, she didn’t let go as she used her other hand to unlatch the back door, pulling Kris out into the cool winter air.

“Where are we going?” he asked her, still amused. “Because if you want me to get naked I’m gonna need more than frozen temperatures.”

“Kris!” She shook her head.

“What? You’re not dragging me off for my body.”

“No, you idiot. I want to talk without people listening.” She pulled him to the rundown summer house at the back of her yard, yanking the door open. The smell of old grass and dust assailed his senses as Kelly pulled him inside, kicking the door shut behind him and latching it.

He missed her holding his hand.

The only light came from the holes in the roof. It was enough for him to be able to see some old plant pots and a rusted mower, along with long-forgotten garden tools fixed to the half-slanted walls.

“You’ve kept the place nice,” Kris said, looking around.

Her lips twitched again. “Don’t try to make me laugh. I’m mad at you.”

She didn’t sound it. Didn’t look it either. She looked like she was about to laugh out loud.

“What are you mad about?” he asked softly.

“I don’t know yet. Whatever you’re about to tell me.” Her voice was low. Half teasing. Christ, he’d missed this.

Missed everything about this woman.

“What if I was about to tell you that you’ve won a million dollars?” he asked, lifting a brow.

“I’d be mad.”

He chuckled. “Of course you would.”

“Because I’d want to know how you knew first? Or if it had anything to do with you.” She crossed her arms over her chest and of course it made him look at the swell of her breasts.

Why was he such a damn horndog? Every time she was close he was so aware of her. Wanted to touch her.

Wanted more than that.

“It’s a good thing you haven’t won then,” he said. “And if you want to know, I came to talk to your dad about his surgery.”

Kelly’s brows knitted. “Why?”

“Why do you think? I want to help.”

---