Page 63 of Tangled in Temptation

I couldn’t help but marvel at the sight of her, at the way her chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm. This was the vision I wanted to wake up to every morning.

I slipped out of bed with ease, careful not to disturb her sleep, and made my way to the kitchen.

My heart did a little somersault, the memory of her body moving against mine still vivid in my mind as I prepared breakfast. I cracked eggs into a pan, the sizzle and pop of cooking food filling the silence of the early morning. I hoped I could deliver her breakfast in bed. The smell of bacon and toast filled the kitchen.

As I worked, my mind wandered back to Catherine. Her soft laughter, her body pressed against mine, the taste of her lips... Every detail was carved into my memory, a perfect image I would not forget. I glanced back toward the bedroom, longing to crawl back into bed with her but knowing the real world was waiting for us both.

She wandered into the kitchen about ten minutes later. She had put on one of my shirts. It was the sexiest thing I had ever seen.

“Good morning,” I greeted her.

“Good morning.” She smiled. “You’ve been busy.”

“I thought we could both use a good breakfast.”

She slid onto a barstool. I delivered a cup of coffee which she eagerly drank. We sat together eating breakfast like it was something we did every morning.

“I have to drive back,” she said with a sigh. “I paid for a hotel room I didn’t even use.”

“Sorry.” I grinned. “But not really.”

“Yeah, yeah. What are you doing today?”

“I’m headed back as well.”

“I thought Paisley was here with you?” she asked.

“She was for about five minutes,” I sighed. “Turns out, dads, biological or not, are not nearly as appealing as a party with her friends. She went back to stay with her new best friend. I feel like I’m fighting to keep her and she could care less about me. She just wants to spend time with her friends.”

“And that sounds like a very normal teenage thing to do.” She smiled. “I’m glad she’s normal. She’s been through a lot.”

“You’re right,” I agreed, releasing a sigh as I let her words sink in. “That’s what she needs—normalcy.”

Catherine leaned forward, placing our used plates into the sink before turning to face me. Her gaze was full of understanding and empathy.

“I’m going to go,” she said.

“Can I see you tonight?” I asked.

“I’d like that.” She smiled.

I gave her a kiss. “I’ll get dressed and drive you to the hotel.”

“No, you don’t have to do that.”

“I’m going to,” I insisted.

An hour later, I dropped her off. I went back to the apartment and packed up a few things before heading for home as well. I was anxious to tell Paisley it was official. She was going to get to stay. If things went really well, Regina would be engaged before the ink on her divorce papers was dry. Things were good. Really good.

But as I pulled into the driveway of my house, the sight of John Jacobsen’s truck in my driveway gave me a bad feeling. I had no idea what it could be about. As far as I knew, he wasn’t working weekends.

I pulled my car into the garage and walked out to meet him.

“John,” I greeted, extending my hand.

“Timothy,” he said, his voice gruff. “We need to talk.”

“Sure, come in,” I said. “Can I get you a drink?”