Page 24 of Slow Kind of Love

Chapter Eight

Link had just put on the kettle for tea when Rose appeared in the doorway of the kitchen, hair a tangled mess, sleep clinging to her features. She rubbed her eyes and yawned as she slid onto one of the barstools by the large granite island. It was just past nine in the morning, and he’d been up for hours. Too much restless energy and one particular woman on his mind.

He’d gone for a run with Pepper, who was now passed out on the sofa in the family room, spent nearly forty minutes on the phone with his solicitor in England going over a few things related to Bell Grove Manor, and was about to eat before heading to the sports complex.

“Make me one?” she asked.

“Already done.” He nodded to the two cups waiting on the counter.

“I’m surprised you’re here,” she said, right eyebrow raised dramatically as she gazed across the room at him. “Thought you’d be spending the night elsewhere.”

He’d dropped Rose off after the fundraiser and had gone back to town to meet up with his sports agent, Nate Jacobs. Which was what he’d told his cousin, though obviously, she thought he’d been feeding her a line of bull.

“Elise had dinner plans with her son.”

“Is that the hot guy I saw her walking through the parking lot with?”

He smiled wryly at his cousin. “He’s married, Rose, to one of my mates, Poppy. So best to forget that one.”

Rose laughed and took another sip from the steaming cup in front of her. “I’m not into athletes, especially married ones. I was merely pointing out the fact that the man she was with can give you a run for your money when it comes to looks.”

Vexed, he frowned at her.

“What?” Rose shrugged. “Can’t stop a girl from enjoying the scenery.” She toyed with her mug. “I’m more interested in the lumberjack.”

“The what?”

“The big man with all the hair and the beard.” She licked her lips. “The one you thought was not my type.”

“I don’t remember.” He had a vague recollection of some man in a checkered jumper, but he’d been too focused on Elise.

“So why didn’t you go back to Elise’s?” Rose asked.

“I told you she had dinner plans.”

“Well, after your dinner plans.”

Link would have loved nothing more than to go back to her house and take her to bed and love her—thoroughly—all over again. But this time around, things between them were different. There was more at stake, and he was determined to get it right.

“Elise and I are taking things slow,” he replied, though he couldn’t help but smile a bit when he thought of Poppy’s shop and Elise on the counter, legs wrapped around him, mouth on his neck, fingers digging into his shoulders as he filled her full and drove them both over the edge.

“You look like the cat who’s got all the cream to himself.”

Link remained silent and steeped their tea before bringing the cups over to the island, where he settled onto the chair beside Rose. The two of them sat in silence for a few moments, sipping their tea and staring out over the family room to the big floor-to-ceiling windows that gave an impressive view of the snow-covered lake.

Rose poked him with her elbow. “You’re different, you know.”

“Yeah?” he replied absently.

“Yes.” Rose sipped her tea and shrugged. “You’re settled or something.”

He glanced at his cousin. Her expression was…curious. “What?”

“Could it be?” she asked playfully, leaning close as she made a face. “Could the very available and very unattached even when he is with someone Link Major, finally be off the market for good? Is this more than just a fling? More than animal attraction and hot sex? Have you fallen for this woman?”

Link’s mouth fell open, his every intention to tell his cousin not to get ahead of herself, but then he thought about it, really thought about it, and sat back.

“Bloody hell,” he said, ruffling the mess of hair at his nape. This was different. He’d known that from the start. He’d told Elise the same thing, but he’d not really thought much beyond the fact that he wanted to be with her.

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