Page 61 of Starcrossed Colorado

I leaned in for another deep kiss, my mouth lingering against hers before we separated again.

“We have to go,” I said, “but can we talk later? After Maisie goes to bed?” Without waiting for an answer, my lips went to her jawline, then her neck. I wasn’t fighting fair. But I knew what I wanted, and I was pretty set on having it. If she wanted it too.

“Yes,” she breathed.

That was all I needed to hear.

FIFTEEN

Emma

When Ashfordand I got upstairs, Maisie was in the living room with Stella. She must’ve let Stella out of my room, where I’d left her during the couple hours of Ashford’s self-defense course.

“We were looking for you two,” Callum said, lounging on the couch. “How was the class?”

“It was…informative.” Did my voice sound strange?

Crap. It did. If the amused expression on Callum’s face was anything to go by.

Ashford’s fingers brushed my side as he passed me. “Hey, monkey. Tell me about your day.” While Ashford sat with his daughter and caught up, Callum followed me into the kitchen.

“You all right, Emma?” he asked. “You’re a little pink. Must’ve been an intense class.”

“Great exercise.” I grabbed the kettle and filled it under the tap.

I had kissed Ashford. Kissed himback. After flirting with him all afternoon.

And it had been epic. Fireworks and the swelling sound of violins. The best kiss I’d ever had the pleasure of experiencing. The kind where all rational thought wiped away, and it was just our lips, our heartbeats, our tongues gently stroking.

Now I was overheating. I fanned my face.

Callum chuckled.

Geez, I needed to get out of this apartment for a while. I hadkissed Ashford, and he wanted to “talk” later after Maisie went to bed, and I couldn’t deal with that while also dealing with his brother’s knowing laughter. I wasn’t used to someone’s entire family, and by extension everyone in town, knowing my business.

“I should take Stella on her walk,” I said to Callum.

In my room, I pulled on my Nirvana hoodie and grabbed Stella’s leash. My sneakers were by the front door, and I stopped there to slide my feet into them. “I’m taking Stella to get some exercise,” I called out. “And I told Dixie I would drop by.”

Maisie came running. “You have to go, Emma?”

“Promise I’ll be back later. At the very least, I’ll see you tomorrow morning. We can have frozen waffles for breakfast again. With honey butter, like I made last time.”

She didn’t look pleased. But she nodded. My compromise had been accepted.

Ashford held my wrist just before I opened the door. “You okay?” he whispered.

“Yeah.”

“Is something wrong?” He glanced toward the kitchen. “Did Callum say something stupid?”

“No. Really. I’m going to stop by Dixie’s. I told her I’d swing by with some dinner.”

“Okay. Let me know if you need anything. I’ll see you later.” His hand moved down my arm and squeezed my fingers. He glanced at my mouth, and I had the feeling he was replaying the mental image of our kiss. Just like I was. I wanted to kiss him again right now.

All the more reason to excuse myself and take a walk so I couldthink.

Hooking Stella’s leash to her collar, I tugged her toward the door. She dragged her feet, reluctant to leave without Maisie. “Stella,come.”

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