Page 43 of The Maverick's Homecoming

* * *

The next morning, he was standing at the kitchen window staring blindly out at the waving grasses and the pretty red barn when his phone buzzed with a text. It was Kenzie.

I really did have a wonderful time last night.

Nine words. They made him bold.So, then. Breakfast?

He held his breath as he waited for her answer. Finally, the words appeared.

It’s Sunday. Nothing’s open.

Now, he was grinning.Come here to my place. I’ll cook breakfast.Hardly daring to breathe, he waited for her answer. Several endless seconds struggled by. He just knew she was framing excuses.

But then, she wrote:My turn to cook. Can you be here in twenty?

He grinned at the phone in sheer happiness.On my way.

* * *

Kenzie planned to feed him, maybe visit for a while over second cups of coffee…and then send him on his way. She honestly had the best of intentions.

But then, she pulled open her door and found him standing there on the welcome mat. He wore faded jeans, rawhide boots, a Western shirt, a tan Stetson and a grin that managed to be both devastating and kind of shy.

Just the sight of him had her thinking of last night, of his big bed and his warm hands, his kisses that used to drive her wild as a teenager…and still did as a grown woman.

Go for it, whispered a yearning voice inside her head. The days were flying by. She would hold her baby in her arms in no time.

Why waste a minute?she couldn’t help thinking. They were in this now and it wouldn’t last forever.

He swept off his hat. “Hey…”

Melting inside, she grabbed his arm, pulled him over the threshold and shoved the door shut.

His breathtaking smile got wider and those sky-blue eyes made promises she intended to make sure he kept—and before breakfast, too. “Glad to see me?” he asked.

She moved close enough to put her hands on his chest. “Call me shameless,” she advised.

“Happy to.” Eyes locked with hers, he stuck out an arm and hooked his hat on the coat-tree there by the door.

She kissed him. Because she wanted to. Because it felt so good. Because by then, he had wrapped both strong arms around her. And because the way he looked at her made her feel like the most beautiful woman on Earth, a woman both fascinating and deeply desired.

When she sank back on her heels, she grinned up at him and asked, “So exactly how hungry are you?”

“Is this a trick question?”

His shirt had snap buttons. She fiddled with the top one. “I just want to know how soon you need to eat.”

He lifted a hand, caught a lock of her hair and rubbed it between his thumb and the tips of his fingers. “I have an idea…”

“Oh, do you, now?”

He nodded. Slowly. And then he slid one arm behind her back and the other behind her knees and lifted her off the floor. “Let’s discuss this in your room.”

She wrapped an arm around his neck and laid her head on his shoulder. “Okay,” she whispered. “Let’s do that.”

“Kiss me,” he commanded.

She kissed him. And kissed him again.