“What’s so funny? I could’ve done it.”
“Whatever.” She clucked her tongue. “You were skin and bones back then. Barely a hundred pounds.”
“What? I wouldn’t have been able to physically accost you? Are you saying you could’ve taken me.”
“I could take you now.” She gave him a playful shove.
“In your dreams, Bauer.” He shoved back.
Kylee gasped, as though affronted. But her eyes sparkled as she did so. “Oh, it’s on, Kidd. You want some of this.”
She rose to her knees on the couch and shoved at his shoulders. Ron easily deflected her jabs. He landed some playful taps of his own on her shoulders and forearms.
“Woman, do you see these muscles?” He got a jab into her belly that had her double over with laughter. “They weigh a hundred pounds each.”
“No, that’s your ego giving off all that weight.”
She straightened and gave him another punch. She’d put a little more momentum behind it and she fell forward. Ron caught her in his lap.
His arms came well and truly around her this time. She was cradled in his lap as though she were a damsel and he’d just lifted her from danger into the safety of his hold. Her head tilted back as she gazed up at him.
They’d play fought like this before. As kids. They were grown now. Kylee was all grown woman with curves and humps and bumps. And holy heaven did she smell good with the sweetness of duck sauce and the tang of soy sauce coming from the long sigh that escaped her lips. Could that be the smoke from the kitchen fire going to his head?
No. It was Ron’s long-held, tightly pent-up desire for the woman he currently held in his arms. She felt so right here.
“Ouch.” Kylee grimaced.
“What’s wrong?”
“I think my hair is stuck to something.”
Ron lifted the arm cradling her only to find his metallic watchband had caught in her tresses. “Hold still.”
Ron slowly worked the strands of her hair out of the links of his watch. The maneuver brought their heads closer together. He felt her breath on his cheek. He ached to taste the sweetness of her lower lip. With her hair free, Ron set his watch on the coffee table.
Kylee shifted and Ron helped her up. She took her time righting herself. Ron took his time relinquishing his hold on her.
They sat side-by-side in silence for a moment. Their cartons were empty. But the air was filled with palpable energy.
“If I had it all to do again,” he said. “I would’ve used all my strength to lock you away until you realized that you deserved better than him.”
Kylee gave him a small smile, but sadness pulled at the corner of her eyes. “It’s in the past.”
“Yes, it is. This is the present. I was weak then.”
“And, what?” Her smile broadened. “Now you’re strong. Those are the lyrics to a song.”
“Yes, I am. I am strong now.”
Her smile faltered as she gazed at him. “And if I tried to date another jerk?”
“He’d have to get past me first.”
Ron watched her swallow. Her lips were right there for the taking. She wasn’t pulling away from him. No, she was leaning towards him. His dream was just an inch away from him. All he needed to do was reach out and take it.
It was happening. It was happening just like he’d dreamed of as a kid sitting on this very couch with her. It was happening just like he’d planned after she walked back into his life the other day and he’d begun daydreaming again. Funnily enough, his adult plans still had this scene taking place on this same couch.
They’d be eating take-out. He’d turn to her and tell her how he felt. Then she’d lean in and tell him she felt the same way. They’d get closer and closer until their lips met.