Page 39 of Always Be Mine

The cat purred in response, and she scratched him under the ear. “But she’s super cute, and I think you’ll really like her.” The cat looked up at her and mewled. “I’ll bring her by next week so she can meet you. But until then, it’s just me and you this weekend.”

The moment the words came out of her mouth, she groaned and took a gulp of her wine. “This is what my life has come to. Friday night, drinking wine alone with my cat. No offense, buddy.”

To prove he understood, Garfield leapt from her lap and headed into the kitchen in search of food.

She watched him go before finishing her wine with one final slug and was in the process of deciding whether she should pour herself another, or get dressed and go out, lest she turn into a crazy cat lady after all, when her phone chimed with an incoming text.

Sorry to bother you on your date.

Craig.

Like a switch had been flipped, her body warmed and a smile slid across her face. It was ridiculous.

You’re not bothering me.

Not at all, but she wasn’t about to tell him how pathetic her Friday night really was.

The Spring Splash is tomorrow up at the ski hill. It’s a lot of fun with live music and a competition. Do you have plans?

Her face flushed. Saturday was her day off. Was he asking her out? Before she could think of a response that would straddle the line of what she wanted versus what was appropriate, another text came through.

Meri wanted me to remind you.

Of course. Meri.

She flipped it upside down on the coffee table without answering. Of course, he wasn’t going to ask her out. Craig was professional. He was her boss and just because she was feeling things she shouldn’t, didn’t mean he was. Not at all.

Maybe there was something wrong with her? First with Ross. And now with Craig. She needed to pull herself together. The last thing she wanted to do was screw up her new job. Especially because she didn’t have anywhere else to go. There was certainly nothing waiting back in Vancouver for her. And more importantly, she liked the new job. Meri was a sweetheart and although she never would have expected to find herself as a nanny, she was surprising herself with how much she was enjoying it.

She didn’t want to mess it up.

Maybe calling Kane wasn’t a bad idea after all. He’d made it clear that he was interested, and he was a nice guy. And very attractive. There were worse ways to spend a Friday night. Besides, maybe it would help her clear her head.

Lucy reached for her phone again.

It certainly couldn’t hurt.

His hands traveled up the length of her naked body, leaving a trail of fire in the wake of his touch.

A moan slipped from her mouth as he pressed his lips to her stomach and looked up into her eyes. “You are absolutely delicious, babe.”

She squirmed a little and his strong hands clamped down on her hips, holding her in place as he once more resumed his attention on her body. His mouth dipped lower between her legs. His tongue found her core and she cried out. But she wanted more. She needed more.

So. Much. More.

She tried to lift her hips to bring him closer to her, but he held her firmly in place as he torturously flicked her clit with his tongue. Slowly at first, and then faster until she was ready to burst.

Just when she was sure she wouldn’t be able to hold off any longer, he lifted his head. She groaned, and he grinned. His lips quirked up in a wicked smile. “Patience.”

“No.” She shook her head and squeezed her eyes shut, desperately trying to buck her hips up to him. “I need you. Please.”

He chuckled a little as his fingers danced across her hot skin, his fingers brushing between her legs. “Patience,” he repeated.

But it was not the word she wanted to hear.

He pulled himself up until he was directly over her and looked deep into her eyes. “It’ll be worth it,” he murmured before kissing her slowly. “I promise.”

She believed him, and after that kiss, she would have waited her entire life for him if that was what he wanted. But she didn’t have to, because only moments later, he was kissing her again, his hands moving quickly now, touching every part of her.

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