Page 142 of The Hookup
“Okay,” she said, lifting her hand to his face and stroking it. Then she leaned in for another kiss, and groaned as she stopped herself, their lips just inches away from one another. “This isn’t going to be easy.”
“The best things often aren’t,” he murmured, agreeing. “I need to take a cold shower.” He climbed off the bed.
“I’ll take one with you,” she said, mirroring his movement and standing in front of him.
He took her hands in his. “That’s not how it works, and you know that.” As if he’d let her get into the shower with him. Cold water or not, they’d soon make enough steam if they weren’t careful.
She bit her lower lip, the movement telling him this was just as difficult for her as it was for him. Her reaction had been everything he had dreamed of.
He’d once believed that romance was an illness, that caring for someone made him weak, and that falling in love would be something he would never do. Kay had discredited all those notions of his. He owed her more than she would ever know.
This was a start, returning to Kawaya, her listening to him, giving him a chance. Sharing a kiss. He couldn’t have asked for more than that. Actually, he could have, but making love was way down on his list of winning Kay back.
Right now, he was a torrent of emotions. Hot and steamy thoughts raced through him, because it was impossible to be with this woman and not feel those things, but there was also something else—something steady, and warm, and constant; a fledgling feeling that hinted at a possible future with this woman.
“You’d better go and take that solo cold shower,” she said, “And I’ll do the same.”
A smile danced on the edges of his lips. She was a tease, but she washistease.
“’Nite,” he said, unsure of whether to kiss her or not. He backed away, aiming for safety, and not blue balls.
“’Nite,” she said, as he walked out of the door. “Are you going to come with me and Jacob to the waterfall?”
“Do you want me to?”
“Are you going to answer every question of mine with that?”
“I don’t know, should I?”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “I’m sure Jacob would like it.”
“Then I’ll come, but only because Jacob wants me to.”
He went to bed, thinking of her smile, and her words, and what he hoped would be the start of something new.
Epilogue
The Tobias Stone Foundation was hosting its annual Christmas party for the adoption centers in New York.This year it was held later than usual, a few days before Christmas and Tobias and Savannah had invited a few of their friends along. Kay had jumped at the opportunity, and she and Luke had decided to make an appearance before they caught their late evening flight to Pennsylvania.
According to Savannah, one of the largest toy stores in the city was closed to the public and children from the local adoption centers were invited here for a big party. As per Tobias’s wish, they left with a Christmas gift of their choice. “There you are,” said Savannah, as one of the security men showed them both through the doors.
“It’s crazy out there,” Kay replied, when Tobias’s security men ushered her and Luke to safety. She was glad to be inside. It had been her first proper glimpse into Savannah’s world. Huge crowds had formed outside the store with reporters and cameramen swarming like flies near the entrance.
“It never used to be this mad,” muttered Tobias, looking out from the glass doors. “I blame it all on Savannah,” he said, nodding at his wife.
“Trust me, I had nothing to do with it,” Savannah replied.
“You married the elusive billionaire,” Luke countered.
“That’s right,” said Kay, jumping into the conversation. “And Tobias gave you your happy ever after.”
“I disagree,” said Tobias.”Shegavememy happy ever after.”
Savannah blushed, and rolled her eyes in response. Tobias winked at her before bending over to take one of the twins out of the stroller. “You remember this was how it all started,” she said.
“How could I ever forget?” Tobias stood up with his son in his arms—which one, Kay wasn’t sure.
“How what started?” Kay asked, curious.
