with me?”
“I’d like that.”
Standing abruptly, still holding her hand, Ryan pulled Kate to her feet. She stumbled and fell against his chest. Ryan caught her.
“Sorry. Sorry, I’m such a klutz.”
Ryan’s eyes darkened to a mossy shade of green.
His hands slid to the small of her back and pressed her against him even closer. His gaze lowered to her mouth.
“One thing before we go. I don’t think I can be just your friend.”
“Ryan?”
“Shh. I want to see where this takes us.” His lips descended slowly, barely brushing hers at first, then going deeper, teasing her to open for him.
Kate kissed him back, allowing her fingers to trail up over his shoulders and link around his neck to hold him there. How could she have ever thought it was over between them? A tinkling sort of music filled her ears.
“What was that?”
“My cellphone. Damn.” He pulled away from her, drew in a ragged breath and flipped open the phone. “Hello?” Listening for a minute, Ryan held her in place.
God, she felt like her body was on fire. Every pore burned for his touch.
“I’m on my way back now. Bye.” Ryan closed the phone and shoved it back in his pocket.
“Molly?” she asked.
“Yes. We’re officially going to be late for dinner.”
Kate raised up on her toes, leaned in and pressed her lips to his in a hot kiss. “We’d better go.” Or we may not get there at all.
Chapter 7
“Guests don’t wash dishes, Mary Katherine, out to the parlor with you.” Molly took the plate out of Kate’s hands.
“Since when have I ever been a guest here?” Kate retorted, and took the dish towel off the counter. “Let me dry them, then.”
“Get out there and enjoy the time with your family. I miss that so much. My babies being little. Even when they drove me crazy wanting something every five minutes, I still enjoyed them.” Molly sighed and she sank her hands in the soapy water.
“I wanted to talk to you alone. Woman to woman, I guess you’d say.”
Allie pushed open the swinging kitchen door. “Aren’t you coming out, Mom? Aunt Liv’s telling us a story.”
“Your mom’s helping with the dishes, Allie. You run along now and we’ll be done in a bit.” Molly handed Kate a plate.
“Yes, Grams.”
“Something happened between you two.”
“Well. Sort of.”
“Out with it. These dishes won’t last long.” Molly smiled and went back to scrubbing a glass.
“I missed him so much. I thought I could get over him, thought I had, but then this afternoon…”
“Honey. You can have a dozen lovers and never get over loving ‘the one.’ Go on.”
Kate pressed her fingers to her lips. She could still feel the way Ryan had kissed her as if he’d been starving for her taste, her touch. “Ryan kissed me, and I’m not sure what to do about it.”
“Oh, the usual thing, I’d imagine.”
“Molly!”
“Honey, I have three children. Do you honestly believe I have no clue about the needs of two people in love?”
“Well. I–” Kate could feel the heat creep into her cheeks.
“Don’t start getting all embarrassed. I’ve practically raised you and I can see as well as anyone what’s in your heart. Now that all the misunderstandings are settled, you should at least try to see where this will lead you. Is that all that’s worrying you, dear? A kiss?”
How much should she tell Molly? She was Ryan’s mother–and had probably set them both up by sending him to the house in the first place. Oh, she was crafty. All right.
“It wasn’t just a kiss. Every bone in my body is vibrating. If you hadn’t called him, I’m pretty sure we’d have sorted it all out right then. If you know what I mean.”
“I want that for you. I want both of you to be happy.”
Ryan’s laughter peppered with Allaina’s giggles rumbled underneath the kitchen door.
“Hear that? It’s the most wonderful sound, my son and granddaughter. There’s such love in this house. Don’t be afraid of what