Page 157 of Make Me Trust Again
“Yes, there is a book club later. I was supposed to bring Kyle to my parents after school so they could keep an eye on him.”
“He can stay with me if you want.”
I blink at his offer, unsure of what to say. John would never have said he would stay with Kyle. Shown no interest in doing so. But then again, Chase has shown me time and again just how different he is.
“Are you sure? You’re already doing so much…”
“It’s one afternoon.”
Maybe to him, but to me? To Kyle? It’s so much more.
I turn to Rebecca, who hasn’t stopped staring at us this whole time, watching between us as if she’s following a tennis match. “Do you mind staying here while I give him Kyle’s booster?”
“No problem.”
“Thanks.” I slip under the counter and pull out my car keys. “I’ll be back quickly.”
“Later, Becs.”
Sliding out from behind the counter, I join Chase, whose hand finds its way to the small of my back as we make our way to my car that’s parked by the café. I unlock it, pull the back door open, and start unhooking the booster. “If it’s too much, just?—”
Before I can finish, a hand slides around my waist and turns me around, my body bumping into Chase’s firm muscles. His hands rest against the top of my car as he leans down and kisses me. I moan softly, my fingers gripping his arms as his tongue slides into my mouth, teasing me expertly.
“Fuck, I wanted to do that ever since I saw you,” he murmurs against my lips as he pulls back, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “And it’s not too much. I like spending time with Kyle. It’ll be fine. You have fun.”
“Thank you. He’ll be so excited to hear that. I’ll let his teacher know you’ll be taking him home.” I place my hand on his chest, biting the inside of my cheek. “I could cook you dinner as a thank you.” I graze my teeth over my lower lip. “Or find a different way to repay you.”
Chase curses under his breath, his fingers digging into my hips as he pushes me against the car and kisses me, hard and fast, leaving me breathless. “Don’t give me ideas when I have to go and talk to a group of second graders, sweetheart.”
“You can choose dinner.”
“Over you? Hell, no.” Another quick kiss. “Okay, now I really have to go. I don’t want to arrive late.” He brushes his lips against the top of my head. “I’ll see you at home.”
Home.
That one little word sounds so different coming from his mouth. Like something more than a mere place you live. Likeweare home.
“I’ll see you at home.”
Chase grabs the booster seat, and together we go back to the café. His truck is parked right in front of it, with both Teddy and Shadow sitting by the window so they can look outside. Chase’s eyes meet mine, and he lifts his hand in a wave before pulling the door open. I wave back before slipping back inside, my heart still beating wildly inside my chest.
“What the hell was that?” Rebecca hisses softly. “You’ve got some explaining to do, missy!”
“Give her a minute; can’t you see she’s all flushed?” Mrs. Tyson’s words make my cheeks heat even more.
“If I were kissed like that, I would be flushed, too, Millie,” Mrs. Miller harrumphs, shooting me a knowing smirk. “I think my panties melted with all the heat the two of them have been emitting.”
Shit. They saw us?
My gaze shifts to Rebecca, whose jaw is on the floor. She points her finger at me. “I knew it. There is no way he’d come around just because. That man hates people.”
“Oh, he might hate people, but I’m pretty sure he likes our Rosie-girl just fine.” Mrs. Tyson wiggles her brows. “More than likes, really.”
Mrs. Miller nods decisively. “You know, in books they’d say that hedevouredher.”
“Oh, God.” I bury my face in my hands. Can the ground open now and swallow me whole? “Can we please stop now? Before I die of mortification?”
An old, wrinkled hand pats me on the shoulder. “There, there. Nothing to be ashamed of. If I had a hunk like that, I’d also be kissing him out in the open.”
