Page 126 of Make Me Trust Again
My throat bobs as I swallow. “Okay.”
It’s just dinner; it isn’t such a big deal.
Keep telling yourself that, asshole.
Rose’s tongue peeks out, sliding over her lower lip as she clears her throat. “Umm… I should really go and check on the food.”
Fuck.
“Right. Food.”
I uncurl my fingers, letting my hand fall by my side. With one last glance at me, she turns and enters the house. I hesitate for a heartbeat before shaking my head and following her inside.
“What can I do to help?” I ask as I step into the house, taking in the space around me as I make my way into the kitchen.
The cottage is exactly how I left it, but there’re a few little details around the place that make it seem homier. There’re flowers in a jar of some kind, and a candle sitting on the coffee table in the living room. I can spot the boy’s shoes in the foyer, and Kyle’s toys are scattered around the living room. The bathroom door is cracked open, the sound of water running dulling Kyle’s soft chatter.
Rose straightens as I enter the kitchen, mitts on her hands as she pulls out the lasagna from the oven and places it on the counter.
“Oh, it’s…”
She takes the mitts off and turns around, sucking in a sharp breath when she finds me standing in front of her. I place my hands on the counter by her sides, caging her in.
She tilts her head back, and I can see her pulse flutter in the base of her neck in a quick rhythm.
Holding her gaze, I give her time as I slowly lean down, but she doesn’t pull back. My fingers curl around her nape, my nose brushing against the soft skin. Her sweet, flowery scent envelops me, tugging at something inside me. Unable to resist it, I press my mouth against her pulse point in a gentle kiss.
Rose’s fingers curl around my shirt, a soft sigh parting her lips as her body shudders at the touch. I tighten my hold on her, tilting her head. Her hazy gaze meets mine as I pull her in, my mouth capturing hers.
The kiss is all-consuming. My mouth slides over hers, evoking a low moan from deep in her lungs. Her arms wrap around my neck, pulling me closer as our tongues meet. My ears are ringing, but this time it’s all due to the blood pumping through my body, my every nerve ending standing at attention. I push her against the counter, my body pressing into hers as I deepen the kiss, needing to feel more of her.
I’m so lost in her, I almost miss the echo of the door slamming closed. Breaking the kiss, I take a step back, putting some distance between us.
Rose lets out a sound in protest that shoots straight to my aching dick. My fingers tighten around her for a heartbeat, lips brushing against the shell of her ear. “You can’t be making noises like that, sweetheart.”
“Then you shouldn’t be kissing me like that.” Her tongue darts over her swollen lower lip, making me wish I could lean in and do the same. “Or calling me sweetheart.”
A low rumble in protest comes out of my lungs.
“Not happening.” Brushing my lips against her forehead, I take a step back.
Something glimmers in those deep blues as she watches me. “What was that for?”
I shrug. “I wanted to do it ever since I got here.”
Her cheeks turn a deeper shade of red, but before she can answer, Kyle runs into the kitchen, his gaze going to the food.
“We’re having lasagna!” He looks at me, not fazed even a little bit. “Mom’s lasagna is my favorite. Come, we have to set the table.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
ROSE
“You didn’t have to come with us, you know?” I glance up to find my mother going through the rack of clothes next to the one I’m inspecting.
After I finished with my shift at the Reading Nook, I picked up Kyle from my parents, and it slipped out that we were going to the mall to do some last-minute school shopping. With everything going on, the summer has flown by so fast, and in a matter of days, Kyle will be starting second grade. Of course, when Mom found out about our plans, she had to join.
“And miss shopping? Nonsense.”
