“Nope, just like to keep things organized. My mom kept on top of everything. Nothing was ever out of place—ever. I don’t know how she kept up with it, but she did. But I wish she were still here.”
“I know, angel.” Jake put the bag of marshmallows on the counter and lifted her chin with his finger. “I wish I could make everything better. I can’t bring them back, but I’ll do everything in my power to bring Chase back to you. That’s a promise.”
“Maybe one you shouldn’t make?” Dawn met his blue-gray eyes. They reminded her of the ocean with a storm coming.
Then Jake pulled her into his arms as he lowered his head. Heat spread along her skin from his touch and pooled in her belly as his lips pressed against hers. He gave her plenty of time to pull away, but she didn’t. Couldn’t. She sighed into his mouth as her lips parted, and his tongue slipped inside.
Dawn shivered with desire even though his lips barely touched hers. It started out as just a gentle touch, but deepened when she parted to allow him inside. As his tongue slid against hers, she moaned into his mouth. She shuddered as his powerful arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her closer. Her hands slid from his chest over his biceps and held on like her life depended on it.
“Princess Cindy sent me to find out where her hot cocoa is,” Rafe said as he stepped into the kitchen.
Dawn never even heard his footsteps on the stairs. Damn. Jake dropped his arms, and she stepped back so quickly she banged into the counter. Heat rushed up her neck and into her cheeks. Her brother had caught her kissing in the kitchen, but it was her kitchen, and she was thirty years old and a mother of two. There was nothing to be embarrassed about…except she was.
“I guess I’m interrupting?” Rafe asked from the doorway.
“You’re not. It was…” More heat flooded Dawn’s cheeks as she added the marshmallows to Cindy’s hot cocoa.
“I have eyes. I know what it was.”
“Rafe, leave her alone. Isn’t she dealing with enough already?” Jake remarked.
“I’m sorry, Sis. I…it’s just hard.”
“It’s okay. But I can’t do this with you right now. I’ll take the cocoa up to Cindy. Your coffee is on the counter. You two work it out.”