Page 64 of Best Kept Secret

She felt a surge of heat at the sentiment and the intensity of his stare.

“Come on. Let’s put this away,” he said, breaking the spell.

They went into the kitchen, where she saw more evidence of the preparations he’d made. “Flowers too? Wow, you really went all out!”

A crystal vase filled with colorful blooms sat in the middle of the kitchen table. Just like the living room, the kitchen was spotless, and everything was in its place.

He smiled. “I wanted you to feel at home.”

“I do.”

They gazed at each other for a few beats, and then he reached for the grocery bag.

“Let’s see what you brought.” He named each item as he pulled it out of the bag. “Cupcakes decorated with red, white, and blue frosting, donuts with red, white, and blue sprinkles, and a box of sparklers.”

“I told you—the essentials.”

He laughed. “Very festive.”

“I also bought his and hers patriotic T-shirts for when we go to the fireworks.”

“Do they match?”

“Um-hmm. You don’t mind, do you?”

He shook his head. “I’ll wear whatever you want me to if it makes you happy.”

She beamed at him, knowing not all men would have agreed.

“So, what do you want to do first? Are you hungry? Thirsty?”

She was hungry, all right, but not for food. Besides, she couldn’t eat now if she tried due to the big lump in her throat. She’d been anticipating this all day, and now that she was finally here, she knew exactly what she wanted to do. Still, she tried to be subtle.

“We could take my bag into your bedroom.”

He froze, but she felt the heat rolling off him and saw the flicker of desire in his eyes.

“Right now?” he said, his gaze raking over her like hot coals.

She nodded twice for good measure.

“Okay, then,” he said and reached for her hand.

She slipped her hand in his, and he clasped it gently yet firmly, like he didn’t plan on letting go. She smiled encouragingly and followed him out of the kitchen. He turned left to go toward his bedroom instead of into the living room, where her bag was.

Laughing, she tugged him the other way. “My bag, remember?”

“Oh. Right.”

He kept ahold of her hand and picked up the bag with his free hand. It was almost like he was afraid she’d slip away if he let go for even a second. There was nowhere she’d rather be, though, and in a moment, she’d prove that to him.

She’d seen his bedroom before since it was right across from the bathroom and he often left the door open. However, she’d never gone inside it until now.

He set her bag on the floor next to his dresser while she glanced around. He’d obviously spent a lot of time cleaning, and this room was no exception. The bed was neatly made, and the dresser top was bare except for a framed photo collage of his family.

Curious, she picked it up and studied the pictures. “This must be Emily,” she said, pointing at a young woman standing beside him in one of the photos.

“Yes,” he replied, looking over her shoulder.