Page 25 of Electric Kiss

“You sound like you know what you’re talking about.”

“I read a lot,” he answered.

It wasn’t an answer. Did he have personal experience? She considered her next move.

“Are you still hungry?” she asked.

“I’m starving.”

“Still want a bath?”

Nate grinned. “Yeah, I’d love a bath.”

“All right. Let’s go inside. I’ll run you a bath, then I’ll make us some supper.”

“What about your feet?”

“I’ll soak them in cold water to get the swelling down and then put on fluffy slippers and slide around the kitchen.”

“You could soak your feet while I have a bath, and then we can both make supper.”

“Okay,” she said and nodded.

“Are you sure you’re okay? You don’t need a kiss to calm you or anything?”

She laughed and tapped his cheek. “You’re cheeky. I don’t remember your kisses, so I don’t know if they’re any good, but it seems I only need them when I’m spaced out.”

“Is that the only time you’re going to let me kiss you?”

She stilled for a moment, taking in a breath. She wanted to feel how he kissed, but there were so many reasons why that was a bad idea.

“Yeah, Nate. I’m not girlfriend material. I’m a Turner, and you don’t like the Turners. I could list the rest of the reasons we should not be kissing, but it’s late, and I need food and a cold compress on my feet.”

Nate gave her a look that screamed she was a big hairy liar, but she didn’t care. He made his feelings clear on the helpline call, so there was no point thinking they could bemore than friends. She didn’t think she could be friends with him, no matter how gorgeous he was. But for some reason, fate had thrown them together. She didn’t hate the idea. Her reason for seeing him would be over once he left her home that evening. Daisy wondered how she would feel in the morning.

Daisy led him up the stairs, flipping light switches as she went and entered the bathroom in the main hallway. He could use that one while she used her ensuite. He was close behind her. She could feel him. It consumed her thoughts as she fumbled with the taps. To her horror, they weren’t working. She twisted around, trying to lessen the number of steps she took.

Daisy looked at Nate.

He was staring at her.

She was expecting to catch him looking at her arse, but he was looking at her face, checking her features as his eyes moved about.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“No water,” Daisy said.

“Damn. I was really looking forward to a soak,” he said.

Nate sifted his fingers with his good hand through his hair and down to his nape, clasping at his neck. Daisy melted at his obvious disappointment.

“Come on, there’s another bathroom. I know those taps are working,” she said.

Again she led the way against her better judgement. She was inviting him into her personal space. She flipped the switch on in her bedroom and did a cursory glance to make sure she had left nothing lying around. She knew she hadn’t, but that was her way, triple-check everything.

“This is a nice room,” Nate said, looking around.

“The cottages were designed so long ago that theypositioned them to get the most of the morning and evening sun. Sunrises are spectacular from the bed. I’m looking forward to keeping the curtains open in the deepest winter so when I wake up, I’ll look out and see the frost-covered lawn in the morning sun.”

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