I huff a laugh. “Not saying I haven’t had my share of anger and depression. I have. But it doesn’t fix anything. I’ve got Tucker, and I thank God for him every minute.”
“You’re a strong woman.”
“Not always. I wasn’t strong on that bridge that day.”
“Don’t beat yourself up. You’ve done the best you can. Better than most.”
“Have I? Some days it doesn’t feel like it.”
“Look at this home you’ve provided for Tucker. No one is helping you. This is all you.”
“But you don’t approve of how I earn a living, do you?”
“Let’s not talk about that. Please.”
It’s the elephant in the room, but I drop it.
“Thanks for a lovely dinner. And thanks for not making liver and onions.”
A laugh escapes me. “You’re welcome. Thanks for fixing my sink.”
He folds his arms. “Got any other projects around here that need fixing?”
“My car,” I say. “You any good with motors?”
“I’m an okay mechanic.” He shrugs. “Bikes, mostly.”
He flashes that smile that has me melting every time. Good Lord, I’ve got to be careful around him. He’s a heartbreaker if ever I saw one, and my heart has already been broken once and it almost killed me. I’m not sure I’d survive another.
But having a man around, even for a night, reminds me of just how lonely I’ve been.
“I’ll take a look at it tomorrow.”
“Thanks.”
“Hey,” he says softly, and I look over.
“You okay? You looked sad there for a moment.”
“I’m good. Just thinking about how lonely it gets sometimes.”
He tilts his head. “If you want, I can stay for a while.”
“Would you?”
He steps in front of me and takes my face in his hands. “Can I kiss you, Heather?”
I nod, and his mouth settles over mine, gently at first, taking it slow.
My lips part, and he takes the invitation, his tongue swooping inside.
We kiss until I’m clutching at him and kissing isn’t enough anymore. When he pulls back, I can read the question in his eyes. He wants more, but with Tucker home, he won’t ask. I like that he respects me enough to back off.
Something crazy takes hold of me, and I take his hand and lead him down the hall to my room, closing the door quietly behind us and locking it.
Cody’s eyes glint with heat as they lock with mine. “You sure about this, Heather?”
“Yes.” My heart is pounding in my chest, but my body freezes up, and I can tell he’s reading every emotion on my face in the dim light from the lamp on the nightstand.
