Page 29 of Katherine's Last Hope
She moved closer, wanting more.
“Mom! I’m hungry, can I have a snack?”
Her son’s little voice from across the hall was like a bucket of icy water over her head. She broke away.
Cody kept his hand smoothed against her face. He brushed the pad of his thumb over her lips. “You’re going to be the death of me.”
She grinned. “I sure hope not.”
He chuckled. “Never thought I’d be asking a beautiful woman this, but can you get out of my bedroom for a second?”
She pulled back, humiliation scorching her veins. “I... I’m sorry.”
“I need to change, and I don’t think that’s something you should stick around for. At least not yet.” He winked then kissed her cheek before standing.
Dear Lord. A part of her didn’t want to get off the bed—wanted to stick around for a show. Another part had to feed her son who waited in the room across the hall.
Logic won out and she hopped to her feet. “Is it all right if I get Ollie something to eat?”
“Grab whatever you’d like. Once I get changed, I can start dinner. Barbeque chicken sound good?”
“Sounds great.”
She walked out of the room, closing the door behind her. Chicken would be great, but she could think of something else that sounded so much better.
The heatof the grill threatened to singe Cody’s eyebrows. He wiped his forearm across his brow to mop away his sweat. The barbecue sauce slathered on the chicken sizzled, tempting him to slide his finger through the thick goo to sneak a taste.
Katherine stepped onto the deck, carrying a bowl of salad. She wore a fitted long-sleeved shirt and her long hair hung down her back. A different kind of temptation tightened his gut.
“It’s so nice, I figured we could eat outside.” She set the bowl in the middle of the patio table. “This view is amazing.”
“It sure is,” he said, unable to keep his eyes off her.
Her gaze snapped up, meeting his. The prettiest blush touched her cheeks.
The memory of their earlier kiss hit him with the force of a landslide, and he took a step toward her. One taste wasn’t enough. It only fueled the fire building inside him.
“Bailey wants to play fetch.” Ollie’s excited yell announced the dynamic duo seconds before the boy and dog sprinted across the deck and down the stairs to the backyard.
Clearing his throat, he returned to his task and flipped the chicken. “Almost done here. I’ll head in to grab plates.”
“I can do that,” Katherine said.
“No, it’s fine. Sit and relax.”
He might have to make a couple trips, but he needed some space from Katherine, not seeing her at home in his kitchen.
“Are you sure? I like my hands to stay busy. Keeps my mind off…other things.”
The way her voice dipped, he wasn’t sure if she meant she wanted her mind off the reason she was here or off of him.
“You can make sure the chicken doesn’t burn.” He handed over the tongs.
Something flashed in her eyes as she took the utensil and stared at the grill.
“Katherine?”
“Hmm?” she asked, blinking away whatever emotion had paralyzed her.
