One date, Beth. Don’t get ahead of yourself. She tried not to jump to far into the future. She had other responsibilities to consider, plus the mess with Kyle’s parents. Yet, she couldn’t deny the peace she’d experienced tonight.
Hunter glanced her way. He held onto the steering wheel with one hand, and his other arm rested casually on the console. “I don’t know what Trixie did to wear them out, but we’ll have to ask her tomorrow.”
She laughed quietly as to not wake the children. “The true test will come when we carry them up the stairs to their bedroom. If they still don’t awaken, then I’ll know she’s a miracle worker.”
When they neared the bed and breakfast, she pointed ahead. “The parking has cleared. There’s a spot in front.”
“Perfect.” He parked along the curb. “If you wait here, I’ll carry them in for you.”
Though capable of getting them in by herself, she let Hunter take charge. His superior brawn would allow him to carry the children with less shifting and adjusting, thus less chance of them waking up. He took Dex first, then returned several minutes later for April.
Beth walked alongside him as he carried April up the two flights of stairs and laid her in the bed.
“I’ll leave you to do whatever you need to get them ready,” he whispered.
She didn’t want the night to end. She really, really didn’t want it to. “Meet me in the kitchen in ten minutes?”
One brow rose with curiosity. “For?”
“I did promise you dessert. Did you forget?” Her tone bordered on flirting, and she grinned.
“I thought you were joking.”
“Oh, I never joke about dessert.” She turned her gaze to her kids. “Give me ten minutes to slip them into pajamas and tuck them in.”
“I’ll be there.”
“No peaking.”
“Then you better hurry.” He winked at her before walking away, leaving her smiling like a giddy fool.
She carefully changed the children from their day clothes into pajamas. Only April fluttered her eyes, then fell immediately back to sleep. Dex never stirred. She tucked them under their blankets and put their stuffed lovies under their arms. Before she went downstairs, she ran to her room and changed into jeans and a sweatshirt.
In the kitchen, she saw Hunter had the same idea and changed into more comfortable attire. “Just so you know, I didn’t peak.”
“Close your eyes.”
“This better be good.” He closed his eyes, but his smile said he enjoyed the suspense.
She opened the refrigerator and pulled out a box from the bakery, set it on the counter, and opened the lid. “You can look now.”
His eyes opened, and a smile spread over his mouth. “A Chantilly cake.”
“Just for us.”
“That’s better than any dessert Lakeview offers.”
“I’ll get plates.”
“Plates will have to be washed.” He reached into a drawer and pulled out two forks. “Tonight, we eat straight from the box.”
“Is that allowed?” she asked, reaching for a fork.
He wagged his brows. “Who’s going to stop us.”
“Ooh, a rebel.”
“With a cause.” He pointed to the cake. “Go ahead, take the first bite.”
“But I got it for you.”
“Then it’s my call who goes first.”
Swooping her fork in a dramatic motion, she caught an oversized scoop of icing, cake, and berries. She brought it to her lips, but at the last second held it in front of Hunter’s mouth. “All your favorites in one bite.”
He shot her a wicked gleam before taking the whole bit, barely able to fit it all in his mouth at once. One raspberry and a dusting of crumbs fell to the counter. After he finished the bite, he laughed. “I think I ingested three servings at once, but man was it worth it.”
His obvious pleasure with her surprise broadened her smile. “Isn’t that the point.”
“Only if you have your share.” He took his fork and fed her a bite, substantially smaller than the one in which he’d indulged.
She giggled, trying not to spit out any of the cake. Finally, she finished the bite. “That’s not fair. Don’t make me laugh while eating.”
“All’s fair and love and war, my dear.”
The comment, meant in jest, had the opposite effect. Silence fell over them.
Unbidden tears spilled from her. Embarrassed, she turned her back to Hunter.
He circled the island and stood beside her, clasped her shoulder. “Hey, what’s wrong.”
“Nothing.”
“People don’t cry out of nowhere for no reason.” He came to stand in front of her. “Whatever it is, you can tell me.”
“It’s silly.”
“If it’s how you feel, it’s not silly.”
She dried her eyes with the back of her hand. “Nothing’s wrong. It’s just the opposite.”
“What do you mean?”
Her chest rose and fell, her breath uneven from the bout of tears. “Tonight’s been perfect.”
He eyed her cautiously. “That’s good, right?”
She nodded, feeling guilty for making him worry. “I’ve not had many perfect nights.”
Understanding dawned in his eyes. “I’m sorry you haven’t.”
“It’s not your fault.”
He pressed his hands against her arms in a way that made her feel cherished. “Tonight’s only the beginning. Or it can be, if that’s what you want.”
His sudden nervousness put her at east, assured her she wasn’t the only one who struggled with self-doubt and insecurity. “I do.”
He stepped closer, trailed his thumb along her jaw. “We don’t need all the answers to start. We’ll figure them out as we go.”
With him at her side, she believed that to be true. The future didn’t daunt her as it once had. She wanted to tell him, but she couldn’t find her voice. Instead, she stood on her tiptoes and showed her affection in a time-honored tradition.
She’d only intended to kiss him briefly, lightly, but when her lips met his, magic happened. A chemical reaction. Fireworks. Whatever it was, she couldn’t move. Hunter leaned in, pressed a hand against the back of her neck. His lips were firm against hers, the sweetness of the cake lingering.
Their lips broke apart, but he kept his arms around her. Her hand pressed against his chest, feeling every erratic beat of his heart. Hazy contentment shadowed his eyes. “I didn’t plan that to happen tonight.”
“Me either.”
“I won’t apologize.”
“I’d be mad if you did.” Her breath slowly returned to normal.
“Does that mean we can try it again sometime.”
“Please.”
His ragged chuckle soothed her soul. “But not now.”
“You’re right,” she agreed, though her emotions said otherwise.
“We should finish the cake.”
“Yes, the cake.”
“One more kiss?”
She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek, then turned away before giving in to the temptation for another real one. Not that she didn’t want it. Oh, she wanted another kiss more than she’d wanted anything in a long time.