Drawn Deep (Afternoon Delight 2)

Those words haunted him for days. Both because he feared he’d hurt Kim somehow and because he worried they were all too true.

He still missed Roch. Still thought of her. To Kim, she was just an older woman who’d taken advantage of him. Was he being blind or was Kim wrong? Maybe it didn’t matter anymore.

Roch was the past and Kim was his present. He wasn’t sure for how long but he was learning to enjoy things while they lasted. And he was definitely enjoying getting to know Kim—and himself, through her eyes—better.

“Hey you. Can’t sleep again?”

Michael looked up to see Kim standing in the doorway, hair mussed from sleep and wearing a jacket over her pajamas. He hadn’t given her a lot of choice there, since he’d chosen to head outside to the porch swing to savor the dawn. Mornings had always been his favorite time.

“I slept.” He patted the swing beside him. “Come keep me warm.”

She smiled and curled up against his side, slipping her hand into the open vee of his button-down shirt. “Only you would be sitting on a porch swing when it’s thirty degrees outside.”

He kissed the top of her hair. “I’m feeling pretty hot right now.”

“Sweet talker.”

“Truth teller,” he corrected, savoring the feel of her in his arms.

Despite the thoughts he couldn’t quite shake, the awkwardness between them after their Roch conversation hadn’t lasted long. By unspoken agreement, they’d let the subject drop. It hadn’t been difficult to reestablish their rhythm…or find a new one, considering they were just discovering theirs. All he knew was that being with her made him happy.

They’d spent every night together since Brad and Sara had announced their engagement, though he’d worked late on a couple of those nights. He’d arrived even later on the days he hadn’t managed to return to his house to spend time with and feed the cats during his lunch. Coming home to Kim’s place to find her and Sara spread out on the living room floor with notebooks and magazines and pens scattered in every direction never failed to make him smile. Their wedding chatter did the same.

Having voices around him again in the waning hours of the day fulfilled him in ways he hadn’t expected. He even liked the damn bird’s happy muttering. He’d taken to feeding him crackers early in the morning before he went to work, long before the others rose. Telly wanted them, so why not? Self-denial wasn’t something he advocated for anyone anymore. Apparently that also included birds.

“What time’s your shift today?”

“Six. Bob had to drive his wife up to Jefferson. She has an appointment with a specialist for her back problem.”

“Oh that’s good. Lindy’s a sweetheart.” She frowned, the faint sunlight highlighting her features. God, she was gorgeous. Not just because of her looks. There was an intelligence in her gaze and a compassion he doubted she was even aware of. Her independence and inner strength only intensified his attraction. “I’ve been meaning to bring her over a couple of casseroles. She could use the help with dinners. I’ll do that tonight after work.”

“You cook?” He tucked a stray curl behind her ear. “Woman of many talents.”

“Ha. Not really. I can make a few casseroles, a mean omelet and a fancy cake here or there. If you’re looking for the domestic type, she ain’t me.” Her head snapped up. “Not that I’m saying you’re looking for anything. Or that I’m implying that we’re—”

“Shh.” He slid his finger over her lips, pleased when she nipped him gently, eyes never leaving his. “We are a we’re right now. Don’t overanalyze. I’m not.”

Her shoulders relaxed and she sucked his finger for a moment before letting it pop free. “Okay. Just saying I’m good with it being easy. You know, between us. I’m not expecting more than we have.”

His chest tightened as she rested her head on his chest. Words hesitated on his tongue but he didn’t say them. Maybe I am.

Chapter Eleven

Sara peered at her reflection in the cheval mirror. “How do I look?”

Kim studied the back of the long white gown with a fitted waist and sweetheart neckline. Tiny seed pearls decorated the bodice and short train. They’d lucked out finding something so lovely on such short notice. It helped that the woman who wore the dress shimmered brighter than any jewel.

“Like a fairy princess with bags under her eyes from not sleeping for three nights due to wedding worrying. In other words, awesome.”

“I see why Brad calls you the Kiminator,” Sara muttered, adjusting her veil. “Knocked down in two sentences flat.”

“Oh stop it. You’re absolutely gorgeous and I’m completely jealous because your waist is the size of my thigh. Guess I should look into some of those Zumba classes too.” Kim turned her best friend toward her and fussed with the tendril curls hanging in Sara’s expressive hazel eyes. “Brad’s going to die when he sees you.”

“I certainly hope not. That would put a damper on the honeymoon.”

Kim laughed and wrapped her arms around Sara, doing a little happy dance. “You’re going to be my sister for real. I can’t believe it.”

Sara sniffled and cupped Kim’s cheek. “I already was.”