Chapter 12: A Kiss with No Witnesses

Tate took his hat off before kissing me, which nearly ruined the whole attempt.

He put it on the counter without looking behind him.

Its brim caught the pepper windmill and tipped it into the sink.

He turned at the noise, ready to rescue something he had already dropped.

I caught his hand before he reached for the counter.

"It can wait," I told him.

He looked at our joined hands and laughed once, quietly.

Then he came closer without asking the fallen windmill to approve.

I had kissed him at the wedding with his family watching.

This was different enough that I forgot where to put my free hand.

It found the front of his shirt and stayed there.

He bent toward me, his mouth warm against mine.

His hand rested at my waist, steady without holding me in place.

I leaned closer because I wanted the small space between us gone.

When we stopped, he stayed near enough for my forehead to touch his cheek.

Neither of us made a joke until our breathing settled.

"I have been wanting that," he told me.

I touched the short hair at the back of his neck.

"You could have asked before now," I said.

"I thought you might prefer the arrangement to stay convenient."

He had said it plainly, which left me nowhere to hide my own answer.

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