Page 36 of Keeping Collette

If he noticed how spotless her apartment was, or the lingering scent of bleach in the air, he didn’t say anything, just placed the bag on her kitchen counter.

Realizing that she was still standing holding the door open, and anyone could come past and walk in, she closed it and made her way over to Deal, who was unpacking the back.

Deal shrugged. “I got Thai. I went for mild spice in all the dishes.”

“Okay. Sounds good.” It was nice to have someone think about her. She’d had to fend for herself from the age of five when she’d found her parents passed out on the ground when she’d been hungry. The memory of her trying to shake them awake was one she hadn’t thought about in years.

Resolutely, she pushed it aside, like all the other ones she had with her parents. They weren’t worth remembering. They’d done nothing worthwhile for her to give them any time and space in her life.

Collette hadn’t told them about Courtney, hadn’t found the strength to go and do it. She didn’t think they’d care, but they needed to know.

The brush of fingers down her cheek jolted her back from her thoughts. “You okay, babe?”

Deal’s sweet words and gesture almost brought her to her knees, but she dug deep for the calm and resolve that had gotten her through all her life. “Yeah, sorry for spacing out on you. It’s been a long day.”

He watched her for a few seconds, and she was sure he was going to push her to tell him the truth about why the day had been long, but he didn’t. “Let’s you get fed, then.”

Again, her stomach growled. “Probably a good idea.” Her smile came a little easier, and she was glad he’d come over. She reached out and placed her hand over his. “Thank you.”

As if he understood what she was thanking him for, he lifted her hand to his mouth, where he proceeded to kiss the middle of her palm before closing her fingers, as if he was capturing the kiss he’d given her so she could keep it.

They stared at each other, neither saying a word but it was as though they were sharing a whole conversation. Time ceased to exist, and the tension between them tightened. Her heart pounded, and she worried Deal would be able to hear it.

In a sea of despair and horrors, he was the ship that kept her safe.

Collette had no idea if she moved or Deal did, or they both moved at the same time, but in a flash, their lips melded together, and she sighed, needing this connection. Deal’s mouth moved over hers softly, encouraging her to trust him to look after her. To know that he wouldn’t let anything bad happen, and if it did, he would be there beside her helping her. Rescuing her if she needed it.

There was nothing carnal about the kiss. It was sweet and full of promise.

Her body warmed the longer they remained connected, and she ached for his hands to cup her ass and bring her closer to him. She wanted to be plastered against him.

What am I waiting for?

Why don’t I just take it?

She listened to her inner voice and moved so that they were chest to chest. Hip to hip. As if he’d been waiting for a signal from her, Deal adjusted his stance, tightened his hold on her, and enticed her to open her mouth, allowing him to deepen the kiss.

This was what she wanted.

Needed.

Longed for ever since the first kiss they’d shared in the convenience store.

This kiss wasn’t for show. Wasn’t given as an expression of ownership.

It was for them.

A moment where they connected in the way every interaction they’d shared had been leading up to.

Deal slowed the kiss until they touched lips a couple of times, then both of them leaned back, breathing heavily.

Her lips had a plumper feel about them, and her tongue darted out to run across them, eliciting a soft groan from the man in her arms.

“This wasn’t what I came here to do. Not that I’m sorry it happened,” he hurried on.

She wasn’t the least bit offended by what he said. “I know. I’m not sorry either.”

A slow, sexy smile broke across his face, and her stomach did a little flip, and the desire that had tempered after their kiss, flared back to life. “How about we eat?” he said after a few seconds of them gazing at each other again.