Page 7 of Dirty Hot Valentine
“It’s been two years.”
“Everybody heals at their own pace. You can’t just force him.”
“Maybe you’re right. But, please, can you just stay for dinner? You came all this way. It’s a long drive. You must be hungry.”
“I’ll eat at home.”
“But it’s a long way back. Longer in this weather. Please…it’s the least I can do.”
“Consider it an apology. If you’re kind enough to accept one from us.” Kyle came down the hall and stopped a couple steps from her. “Brandon is an excellent cook.”
A gorgeous smile stretched her lips, and she sighed. “Sure. Thank you.”
My skin prickled with heat. A fuzzy sensation washed over me when she hung back that beautiful, red coat. It looked like something that belonged here.Shelooked like she belonged here.
She spread her hands in the air. “How can I help?”
I was too distracted to speak, musing in fantasies I’d never had before. Never wanted to admit that I had. They all included my daughter’s teacher.
She’s my daughter’s teacher. Damn it.
“You’re our guest. You should just enjoy a drink whileweserve dinner,” Kyle said.
She was still looking at me. “I insist. Where’s the kitchen?”
“This way.” I led her to the other side of the cabin that she hadn’t seen yet. “Would you like a tour first?”
“Maybe some other time. I really don’t want to be late,” she said.
In the kitchen, she leaned against the counter as I checked on the chicken in the oven. “Smells really good.” She spied the veggies on the table. “You need help with the salad?”
“Sure.”
A little space separated our bodies when we both headed to the table at the same time. “You smell really good, too.” The words fell out of my mouth as her smell, calm and feminine and classy, filled my nostrils.
She cleared her throat and jerked her gaze toward the lettuce. “Thank you.”
I started slicing the carrots. “That’s something Zach should have said instead of me.”
Shredding the lettuce, she shook her head. “Can we…forget about this whole thing with your brother? The only reason I’m staying and having this dinner is you.”
I froze for a second, my heart thudding. “Me?”
“I mean, this house in the middle of nowhere, with three men… If Beastly hadn’t been written on that card, I wouldn’t have showed up in the first place. And with you, Samantha’s father, in the house, I feel it’s safe to stay.”
“Oh. I see.” I resumed the cutting. Of course.” For a moment there, I thought she meant something else entirely. Something I’d felt for a couple of months every time I picked Samantha up from school and saw Keera.
A crush.
One I never allowed myself to dwell on. Never would. Obviously, to her, I was safe. A buffer.
We both reached for the bowl at once. Our hands touched gently, and that warm, fuzzy feeling found me again. I didn’t retract my hand. It lingered on the tremble of hers.
I couldn’t help but smile at the flush that rose on her cheeks. She was…innocent…in a way that wasn’t cute or refreshing. It was seductive. Sinful. She was a walking temptation in my kitchen, begging to be served.
My lips were too close to her cheek, but I only open them to speak. “You really should—”
“Sorry, Keera, I have some…” Kyle was suddenly in the kitchen, lifting his head from his phone to us. I didn’t hear him come in. She flinched and gasped, her hand flying to hide behind her back. His mouth curved with a knowing grin. “…bad news.”
