“Ah—cedar with ana.We spell it with anein Canada.”
Carter chuckles. “You do not.”
“Then we should.” I spin around on my barstool to face him. He’s wearing soft joggers and a Jaguars team pullover that brings out the blue in his eyes. “Anemakes more sense.”
His hands are still on the counter which means I’ve got Carter on all sides, and the effect is almost dizzying.
His eyes gleam as he says, “Just accept defeat. You’re already the best artist in the city. You don’t get crossword puzzles too.”
His words send a warm fizzle of heat shooting through my chest. “Pretty sure with an eleven to one record, I actuallydoget crossword puzzles.”
“Says the woman whowasn’t awareit was a competition.” He reaches up and taps my forehead right between my eyes. “You get this line right here when you’re really focused. Andyou’re only really focused when you’re trying to be faster than me.”
I purse my lips to the side. He’s not wrong, and something inside me loves that he’s watching me so closely. “I’ll regret that line in my forties,” I say, but Carter shakes his head.
“Don’t. You’re beautiful now. You’ll be beautiful then.”
His words almost sound like he’ll bearoundthen. Available to tell me I’m still beautiful, even in my forties. The thought brings a sharp yearning to my chest.
Carter lifts one hand to my cheek, slowly brushing my hair back, his fingers lightly grazing over my skin. He looks like he wants to kiss me, and I desperately want him to, but I know him too well.
He might fudge the boundaries of “friendly touching,” but he won’t break this rule even if he wants to.
Unless I ask him to.
The voice in my head sounds like Emerson, urging me on, willing me to own what I want and go for it. But I can’t bring myself to say the words.
What if I’m wrong about how he feels? What if he doesn’t want to kiss me? What if I ask him for more and it ruins everything and we still have to stay married for a year?
Carter’s watch buzzes with a message, and he glances down, then takes a step back and lets his hands fall from the counter. “Theo will be here any minute.”
I nod, swallowing against the sudden knot in my throat. I’m really,reallygoing to miss having him around. I bite my lip. “I wish you didn’t have to go.”
“Yeah, me too.” He holds out his hand, and I scoot off my barstool, letting him tug me into an enormous hug.
It’s not a kiss, but it’s a close second. I will never get tiredof the magic that is being wrapped up in Carter Williamson’s arms.
“Nine days,” he says, his voice close to my ear. “It’ll go by fast.” His hands move to my face, and he presses his forehead to mine. His eyes are closed, his breathing shallow, and I get the sense he’s fighting the same pull that I am.
I tilt my face up until my nose brushes against his, waiting,willinghim to justdo it.Kiss me.His lips part, his fingers pressing into my scalp, but then a car horn honks outside, and he breathes out a sigh. “That’s Theo.”
I swallow my disappointment, as well as a million curse words I wish I could yell at his brother.
Ishould have done it. I should have just pushed up an inch more and kissedhim.
Carter takes a step back, letting his hands move to my shoulders. “Take care of yourself while I’m gone.”
“I will,” I say. “Travel safe.”
He lifts his duffel bag and hoists it over his shoulder. “Nine days,” he repeats, as he slowly backs away, then he turns and disappears out the door.
I stand there, my body still fizzing with unreleased tension. I lift my hands to my cheeks and feel the warmth there, then breathe deep, trying to slow my racing heart. I hate that he’s gone, hate that he’s?—
The front door opens again, and Carter steps inside. He quickly crosses the foyer to where I’m standing in the kitchen and suddenly, I’m in his arms again, my back pinned against the wall.
Before I even know what’s happening, his mouth is on mine, his fingers sliding through my hair. I wrap my arms around his back, hands gripping his sweatshirt as I pull himcloser,closer.His lips part, the kiss deepening as I taste him, breathe him in.
I have never been kissed like this. Even my other kisses withhimpale in comparison. There is nothing careful about what’s happening now. Nothing scripted. Nothing that makes it fit for public consumption.
