Page 17 of A Moon Lake Christmas Hero

Safer.

It was not only me I had to think about, but the twins, as well. I’d been super careful, to the point of stopping all dating these past couple of years. And now I was willing to let this woman I knew nothing about into their life just like that?

Just because I was attracted to her?

What if the twins would get used to her?

What if I invited her into our home, and she turned out to be a bad influence on Abby and Marley?

Or worse.

What if I opened up to her?

What if they fell in love with Erin, and she would just leave again?

They would be devastated.

My stomach hardened, and I watched her from the corner of my eyes.

I would protect the twins, for sure. but no matter what would happen between us, I could deal with it.

And one kiss didn’t make a love story. One kiss was just that.

A kiss.

Bodily desire.

Nothing more, nothing less, and nothing to do with love, or feelings, or the future, or the twins.

ERIN

My mind was still reeling when we arrived at the vet.

He’d kissed me. How could he have kissed me when we only met yesterday?

And holy hell. How had I never been kissed like this before?

The giddiness in my stomach made me smile before the realization settled in.

I was not free.

I was not here to kiss anyone. Not free to fall for someone.

I was basically on the run.

Hiding.

Starting a new life and leaving my old one behind.

I wasn’t entirely sure, but danger could follow me.

I hoped my disappearance would end Bob’s obsession, but what if it didn’t? What if he found out where I was?

And then?

There was a potential threat to the people I cared about, to the people I loved.

Like James and Marley and Abby.

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