The Switch, Debra Kayn [best books for 20 year olds .txt] 📗

with a man with secrets and a sketchy lifestyle.

"Can I come by tonight?"

She snapped her gaze to him. Stopping herself from asking why, knowing he wouldn't answer her the way she needed, she said, "Do you want to have dinner with us? The boys will be there."

He dipped his chin, agreeing to the invite. She smiled. It almost looked like it pained him to agree, but he'd accepted the conditions, and she could put off seeing him alone.

After he'd touched her that morning, she couldn't trust herself to be with him without a buffer.

She wasn't afraid of him. She was afraid of his attraction to her. He was intense.

She wasn't sure she was ready, or would ever be ready, to test their attraction to each other yet.

"You need to eat your lunch," he said.

Warmth filled her. She opened the bag and took out her sandwich. Handing him half, she smiled when he took it from her.

A hawk swooped down on the water and came back empty clawed. She ate beside Trip in comfortable silence.

She'd almost forgotten how it made her feel to have a man's company. Now that she had it, she wanted the lunch hour to last longer.

Chapter Fourteen

Kenny's constant chatter beyond the open kitchen window entertained Bonnie while she browned the crackers on top of the macaroni in the oven. Careful not to burn it, she kept her eyes off Trip, tossing the football to Zach in the yard.

Since he'd arrived, he'd stayed outside, occupying the boys while she cooked. It gave her time to check him out without him aware of her doing so.

She'd bet money that he was a jock when he was younger. He moved fluidly and gracefully.

He was the opposite of her. To her sons' disappointment, she couldn't throw a football spiral to save her life, and instead of looking like a gazelle when she ran, she looked like a three-legged squirrel.

She leaned down and peeked in the oven. The crushed crackers were golden browned to perfection.

Taking the casserole dish out, she put it on the counter. They'd all have to form a chow line.

When she'd invited Trip, she hadn't taken into account that she still hadn't purchased a table and chairs.

Stepping over to the window, she yelled, "Dinner time. Wash up, boys."

The boys arrived in the kitchen first. She pointed to the sink. Trip strolled in and lined up behind her sons.

"We can eat outside on the porch." She waited until they'd all filled their bowl, then followed Trip outside.

The boys, having decided to eat on their beds, stayed inside, probably one-handedly playing on their phones while they scarfed down their dinner. She sat on the top step and scooted over when Trip lowered himself beside her.

He ate continually without taking a break. Halfway through his bowl, he looked at her. "It's good."

His shock made her laugh. She wasn't the best cook, but she'd learned her way around a kitchen through the years.

"It's my comfort food." She held up a spoonful.

"Comfort?"

She took a bite and swallowed. "When life gets tough, sometimes you need food that makes your stomach warm and content."

He went back to eating. She finished a few more bites.

"What's your comfort food?" she asked.

He set the empty bowl beside him. "Macaroni."

The way he'd quickly answered, she suspected that he'd made that decision after eating the meal she'd made. That made her feel all kinds of okay, even if he was doing it to make her feel good.

"Your cheeks are pink." He strummed his thumb along her jaw and tilted her head up.

"Too much sun." Her lips parted.

Squirming on the step, she swallowed as her mouth watered.

"Today? At lunch?" He lowered his hand.

It wasn't his fault that she'd spent longer at the river with him. A little rosy cheeked was worth spending time with him.

She stretched her legs out. "It's nice to have another adult to talk to while I unwind from work."

"You like your job?"

She nodded, putting the bowl on the step. "I really do. It's my love of riding bicycles. I get to be around others who understand what it means to go someplace using power from my body to propel me along in life that makes me happy."

"You ride?"

"I do." She tilted her head from side to side since it was a long story. "I sold my bike back to the store I used to work at to help finance the trip to Avery Falls. But, soon, I'm going to buy another one. This time, I'm going to get an e-bike. I'll definitely get more use out of it in the mountains."

"Zach isn't the only one who likes to have two wheels under him." The corners of his eyes crinkled.

Surprised to see him teasing her, she reached over and tugged the leather of his vest. "What made you decide to join a motorcycle club?"

He ran his hand over his whiskered jaw. "Motorcycles are the fastest mode of travel, especially in the mountains."

She waited. His reason seemed a lot like hers, but he liked speed.

He never volunteered more. She grew more curious about him.

"You must like the brotherhood you have with the members of the club, right?" she asked.

"I do. They're my family."

She nudged his arm. "You don't share much about yourself."

"Not much to say." He reached over and put his hand on her thigh. "I'm waiting until you stop talking."

"Why?"

"Because I'm going to kiss you."

She closed her mouth, aware she'd stopped all conversation because she wanted him to kiss her when he leaned toward her and his lips were inches from her face.

At her soft sigh, his palm curved around her neck. His warm breath tickled her lips. Her eyes closed as he captured her mouth. Her heart skipped a beat.

There was no hesitation. His lips moved in such a way, she opened to him, and the tip of his tongue teased her. Trip knew what he was doing, and it was hot.

With his mouth moving and his tongue sliding, he took complete control of the kiss.