Andrew rubbed his nose against her ear, closing his eyes when she melted into him. It felt a lot like permission. But he didn’t want to get ahead of himself.
“Maybe she does recognize you,” he murmured, “and that’s why she keeps dragging her husband over here.”
Paige whirled around, her eyes wide and her grin even wider. “I just thought about that.” She tugged at his shirt. “We better get out of here now. We still have to stop at the store to get the rest of the ingredients.”
They hurried to the store, and an hour later, they were back at the house. He took the groceries to the kitchen as she opened the windows. It felt like the most natural thing in the world. Over the past few days, they’d taken walks on the beach, played Scrabble, and watched movies. All of those things seemed innocent enough, but something not so innocent had been brewing, percolating.
“Sometimes, I wonder if I’m really hungry, or just greedy.” Paige grabbed an onion from the fridge. “I didn’t need that donut today. I’m baking an apple pie, for goodness’ sake.”
Andrew leaned down on the counter and peered up at her.She’s so damn beautiful. Her hair was wild, her face was flushed, and she wore no makeup. And she was stunning. “One donut won’t kill you.” He popped a piece of broccoli into his mouth.
That morning, they’d decided on vegetable lasagna for dinner. She’d already started cutting up the vegetables when she’d thought of making an apple pie for dessert.
Paige pulled a pot from beneath the counter, filled it with water, and set it on the stove. As she worked, she told him about the five pounds she’d gained while in Michigan. “I can’t gain another ounce, but I can’t stop eating.” She laughed, turning fire on to heat the water. “I’ve never been so undisciplined.”
Andrew raked his gaze over her body slowly, lingering on the curve of her hips and her full breasts.Damn. He told himself he was doing it so he could debunk her theory that she looked a hot mess, but the only thing his perusal had accomplished was making him hard. As hell.
Shifting in his seat, he said, “You look fine.”
Paige shot a disbelieving glance his way. “You’re only saying that because you don’t want me to kick you out again.” She tossed a piece of broccoli at him and it popped him in the nose.
Standing, he said, “Oh, you’re going to get it now.” He rounded the island, grabbing a handful of the florets. “I accepted that pillow to the back of my head, but I draw a hard line at broccoli.”
Paige threw a carrot at him and took off, laughing as he chased her around the island to the sunroom and outside onto the patio. She ran toward the beach, screaming the entire way. He caught her easily, scooping her up in his arms.
Yelping, she pleaded with him to let her go. “Drew, I’m sorry.” She batted her eyelashes, the grin on her face beautiful and wide, as he carried her toward the water. “But if you throw me in that water, it’s on.”
“Now you want to threaten me,” he teased. “I’m not scared of you, Paige.”
“Don’t do it,” she begged.
Andrew paused mid-stride and stared down at her in his arms. He tried not to be affected by her nearness, by the fact that she fit in his arms perfectly. He tried not to concentrate on her contagious smile and her scent. And he tried . . . he really tried not to think about kissing her.
His gaze fell to her parted lips, then back up to her eyes. Something in the air shifted, sparked to life. His heartbeat pounded in his ears, his fingers tingled with the need to touch her mouth.God help me. Because he was tempted to close the distance, to press his lips to hers, to taste her.
“Damn,” he murmured, his voice strained.
Andrew didn’t want to let her go, to put her down. He was perfectly content with her in his arms.
She let out a shaky breath. “Drew?”
Unable to tear his gaze from her mouth, he nodded. “Yes?”
“What are you doing, Andrew?”
He leaned in, so close he could smell the cinnamon from the donut she’d eaten on her breath.I’m in trouble. Because he had no power, no control to stop himself.
Paige peered at him under hooded eyes. “Are you going to put me down?” she whispered.
Shaking his head, he circled her nose with his. “No.” Then he kissed her.
* * *
It was amazing how one simple touch of Andrew’s mouth to hers had opened the box that she’d tried to stuff him in years ago. Years of sweet friendship, funny moments, and deep talks had forced her to forget about any stray thoughts of “What if?” she may have had. She’d imagined how it would feel to taste him, to feel his tongue against hers, to feel his hands on her body. But this . . .Damn.
His nose against hers, his scent wrapping around her, his heart beating beneath her hands, and his low groan had tilted her world on its axis. The moment was everything she didn’t know she needed, but secretly hoped for—warm and soft, smooth and wet. Yet, even in her wildest fantasies, it didn’t feel likethis.
It was almost like he’d kissed her back to life. She’d never felt so alive. Every part of her buzzed with excitement. Her nerves were shot, her heart was beating hard, and her fingers tingled with the need to touch him. She ached for him.
