Page 32 of Evidence of Secrets

Hank followed Laura into the tiny kitchen and watched her fill the coffeepot. “You know, you didn’t have to move out so fast. The apartment is empty for a while.”

“I can’t thank you enough for telling me about it. I loved every minute I spent there, especially the balcony. It was such a treat.” She counted the scoops of coffee and added water to the pot. “It’s a special place. You must love living there.”

“I do.” Hank moved into the small dining room, pulled a chair out and sat. He took up too much space in the kitchen, and Laura couldn’t comfortably move around.

She plugged the coffeepot in. “That’ll take a few minutes.” Laura opened the bag and took out the contents. “Oh my, this is a treat. Let me toast the bagels. Can I get you a glass of juice?” She scurried around the kitchen, grabbing a couple of plates, mugs, and glasses, then popped the bagels in the toaster oven.

“Laura, stop. You’re making me dizzy. I didn’t expect you to wait on me.” He walked over to her and pulled her into his arms. “I planned on making breakfast for you after I kissed you hello.”

“Oh, my.” Laura looked into his eyes and placed her arms around his neck. She pulled his head down to hers and gave him a light kiss on the lips. “Hello.”

“Hmmm.” Hank licked his lips. “Gonna have to do better than that. I haven’t seen you in over a week.”

She tugged him closer. Hank placed his hands around her head and took control. Their tongues collided, and their teeth clacked. It was a heart-fluttering kiss. If he were being clinical, it was a happy collision of dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin. Laura pulled away, breathing heavily. Her face was flushed.

“Wow. I’ve missed that.”

Hank pulled her in for another mind-blowing kiss, but the toaster oven beeped.

“Saved by the beep.” She took the bagels out and placed them on a plate.

“Laura…”

Laura looked over. Whatever she saw in his eyes made her walk back to him. “I’ve really missed you,” she said.

“You were all I could think about when I was away.” Hank kissed her hand, then gazed at her. “I…”

She took Hank’s hand and walked to the small bedroom. Laura looked at him with worried eyes. “Is this all right?”

Hank gathered her in his arms and whispered into her ear. “It’s more than all right.”

CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE

Whatever else Laura was going to say to Hank skipped her mind when he laid her down on the bed.

While he was away, she’d thought long and hard about whether she wanted to make love with Hank. For one thing, she didn’t just jump into bed with anyone. There had to be feelings there. Yes, she and Jake were friends with benefits. But they went into the relationship knowing it wouldn’t lead to anything else. However, they were friends before the benefits, and she liked him.

Laura never had a one-night stand. Not that she hadn’t been tempted. Relationships were important to her. She wanted someone who could make her laugh. Someone that she could trust to love her unconditionally and would never run out on her as her father did to her mother. Not someone she might never see again.

Hank was a complex man. Laura knew about his past inability to commit to a relationship. He’d been hurt by a woman. However, she suspected he cared deeply about people. Why else would someone go into the protection business or volunteer to give self-defense lessons?

“Hey, where did you go?”

Laura stared into his blue eyes, dusky blue eyes.

“Sorry. Just thinking about having sex with a handsome guy.”

If Hank thought she was fibbing, he didn’t let on. He reached into his wallet and brought out a couple of condoms that he placed on the end table. Then he reached out his hand and helped her up.

“Can’t have sex if we’re dressed,” he quipped.

Laura reached down to take off her pajama top. Her robe had been abandoned in the living room.

“Na-uh. This is my treat.” Hank unbuttoned her top and threw it on the nightstand. Her breasts were exposed, and Laura tried to cover herself. Hank gently removed her arm.

“Are you really trying to hide these beauties?”

Gah. Laura was embarrassed. Why did she try to cover herself? Men had seen her boobs before.

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