Page 52 of Cold as Stone
She breathes out a long sigh, ducking her head as she slices into another piece of pancake. “Thank you. It’s nice having someone looking out for me.”
“No problem.”
She leans back in her chair, studying me with those sharp hazel eyes. “What’s your day look like?”
“Church at 10.”
“Church?”
“Club meeting,” I explain, glancing at the clock. “You?”
“Opening the bar at eleven. Mercy’s handling the lunch rush so I can catch up on paperwork.” She wrinkles her nose. “The glamorous life of a business owner.”
“Need help with anything? I could swing by after church.”
“Trying to find excuses to see me already, Armstrong?”
“Always,” I say without hesitation, making her blush. “But I’m also serious. Heavy lifting, intimidating suppliers, looking pretty. I’m good at all of it.”
She laughs. “I might take you up on that.”
I stand to clear our plates, but she catches my wrist. “Lee?”
“Yeah?”
“Last night… this morning… all of it. Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For making me feel…” She trails off.
I wait while she searches for the words she needs.
“Taken care of,” she says quietly. “It’s nice.”
The admission hits me right in the chest. I set down the plates and turn to face her fully, cupping her face in my hands.
“Get used to it,” I say, brushing my thumb over her cheek. “I plan on taking care of you for a long time.”
Before she can respond, I press her back against the refrigerator and kiss her. Really kiss her, deep and thorough and claiming. She melts into me with a soft sound that makes me want to forget about church and spend the day learning every sound she can make.
Fucking hell. I’ve never wanted to shirk my duty before.
When we break apart, we’re both breathing hard.
“You could have had this earlier,” I say against her lips. “But you made me wait.”
She laughs, breathless. “But it’s so much better without morning breath.”
With a growl, I spin us around, lifting her easily onto the kitchen counter so we’re at eye level. Her legs wrap around my waist automatically, and I settle between them like I belong there.
“Hi,” I murmur, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
“Hi yourself.”
I kiss her again, softer this time but no less intense. When I pull back, she’s looking at me with an expression I can’t quite read.
“What?” I ask.
