Kiss Me by C. C. Wood Read Free Book Online

in the office at the shop, so jeans and a tee were acceptable.  A few minutes later, hair still damp, Kaylie was dressed and massaging moisturizer into her face.  She wandered down the hall to the kitchen.
    Jake was standing at the stove, shirtless and barefoot.  Kaylie stopped in the doorway and just stared.  His muscles flexed as he flipped bacon then reached to stir the scrambled eggs.  He was so beautiful he made her mouth water.  Also, she had a moment to think that it was dangerous to make bacon shirtless.  Just as she started to smile, Jake jumped.
    “Shit,” he said, using a paper towel to swipe at his chest.
    Smirking, Kaylie went to the coffee pot.  “I was just about to warn you that it probably wasn’t too smart to cook bacon without your shirt.”
    Jake chuckled.  “I know, but I didn’t want to go through my day with my clothes smelling like pig.  The other officers would follow me around all day.  They’re worse than cats chasing catnip.”
    Kaylie giggled as she poured herself a cup of coffee and added sugar.  “Good to know.  Do you want my frilly pink apron?”
    His frown said it all, so Kaylie just shrugged and drank her coffee.  She watched as he took the bacon off the burner and put it on a plate covered with a paper towel.  Sensing breakfast was almost ready, she went to the fridge and grabbed a container of strawberries.  While Jake finished the eggs and plated the food, Kaylie washed and cut the stems off the berries.  She placed the bowl full of strawberries on the table at the same time that Jake served up their breakfast.
    “Strawberries?” he asked, looking at the fruit doubtfully.
    “Protein is good Jake, but fruit is important too.  Now, eat a few and shut up,” Kaylie insisted.
    Jake smirked at her but put a few berries on his plate.  Kaylie took a huge bite of eggs and hummed.
    “Wow, you finally learned how to cook, didn’t you?” she asked.
    He grinned at her.  “I’ve been living alone for a while now.  It was either learn to cook or get fat on constant take-out.”
    Kaylie nodded as she took another bite.  They ate in silence for a few minutes until a low yowl sounded.
    “What the hell?” Jake asked.
    Kaylie waved a hand.  “Ignore it, it’s just Beans.  He thinks he should get bacon and eggs like the rest of us, but the vet put him on a strict diet.”
    They both turned their heads to look at the door to the kitchen.  Beans sat in the middle of the doorway, ears flat against his head, eyes narrowed.  He did not look like a happy kitty.
    “Is he going to attack?” Jake asked.
    Kaylie smiled and took another sip of her coffee.  “No, he’s just trying to intimidate you.  Ignore him.”
    A few minutes later, they were done . Beans realized there was no food for him, so he sashayed out of the kitchen, probably to take a nap.  Kaylie started cleaning up the kitchen, as Jake went into the bedroom to get his shirt.  A sense of unreality hit her while he was gone.  What in the hell was she doing?  After six years apart, she fell into bed with Jake and now they were having a cozy breakfast?  Her hands clenched into fists in the dishwater.  God, she was such a fool.  Kaylie’s brain was racing. She wasn’t sure of his motives but, whatever they were, she knew this wasn’t a good idea.  However, Jake Coulter did things to suit himself.  He could be sweet and generous, but he always stuck to whatever plan he had come hell or high water.
    Jake came back into the kitchen and Kaylie whirled on him.  “What exactly is going on here?” she demanded.
    He walked to the sink where she was standing and wrapped his arms around her waist.  Kaylie went rigid, but he ignored it.  “Well, we spent a nice evening together last night, had an even better morning, and breakfast.”  He tightened his grip on her when she tried to rip her body away.  “We can discuss everything else tonight.” 
    Before Kaylie could respond, Jake pressed a light