Page 36 of Chocolate Cherry Cabin

“I would still like to kiss you,” he stated, his thumb caressing her cheek, “though I’m pretty sure you’ll say no.”

* * *

Hannah stared at Louis, processing his words. He thought she was special. And he didn’t appear to be lying, not that lying was his style.

And he wanted to kiss her.

She shifted closer, trying not to question what she was doing as she allowed her lips to gently land against his.

His kiss was careful, as though he was afraid to take too much. It was gentle, and she sighed against him, folding herself into his arms to lengthen the contact.

He was a good kisser and she studiously refrained from thinking why. In this moment he was hers. Only hers.

“I think I do like movie night,” he murmured when they broke apart, her body still comfortably nestled in his embrace.

“And I think I like being friends.” She couldn’t stop grinning.

“Actually, I don’t think that’s a good idea,” he said solemnly.

Her heart dropped. “Why not?”

Smiling, he lifted her chin and gave her a short, sweet kiss. “Friends don’t usually do this.”

“Mmm.” That was true.

He kissed her again.

“That is problematic,” she whispered. “Because I was intrigued by the idea of being your friend.”

He tightened his grip, holding her close like there was no way they were going back to just-friends or pretending these kisses didn’t happen.

It was a terrifying idea that they’d stepped over a line, taking a one-way street with no chance of doubling back to where they’d started.

But maybe that wasn’t such a problem, because kissing him felt right. It felt like something she could do for the rest of her life and not tire of it.

It certainly didn’t hurt that he was tall, dark and handsome, with hair long enough to grip with her fingers. She hadn’t known she had a thing for men who looked like Dakota warriors, but she certainly did. Especially with that steadying gaze he was giving her, so grounded and present in the moment. It made her insides bubble, and that was scary.

“You know that whatever we’re doing together—” Hannah gave a vague wave of her hand “—doesn’t mean I’m going to back down.”

“What are you saying?” He sat a little straighter.

They needed rules if they were crossing lines.

“Just because we kissed,” she clarified, “doesn’t mean I’m not going to fight with you, or not dish it back when you deserve it.”

He relaxed against the back of the couch. “I’m counting on it, Hannah-Banana.” He tucked her against him again before hitting the button to start the movie, ignoring the way she’d growled at the silly nickname. He pressed a kiss to her earlobe as an apology and she shivered.

She didn’t know whether to focus on the opening scenes of the movie or the fact that Louis had kissed her and nobody had been murdered. In fact, she’d liked it. A lot.

Hannah’s stomach rumbled loudly again and she mentally ran through her December budget. Highest heating bill of the year. Presents. Her plans to paint Wade’s bedroom. The college application fee. There was no way she could squeeze in eating out. And letting him treat her might make this a real date. Which felt like something she wasn’t ready for.

She could fix something for them in the kitchen, but didn’t want to get up in case he didn’t snuggle with her again.

Louis picked up his phone and began tapping and scrolling. Her frustration mounted at the way he was distracted already—only a few minutes into hanging out with her. He’d gotten his kiss and was already losing focus. But when she looked over, she saw he was working his way through the online menu for the Watering Hole, the local saloon, which also served food.

“Would you like the house special pizza?” he asked. “Can you have gluten?”

“Maybe we could scrounge something from the kitchen instead.” She sat up, but Louis tightened his arm around her, pulling her back in.

---