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* * *
It seemed like the most natural thing in the world to slip into Kanon’s arms. Patience had already done it in her mind a million times. Nothing felt as good as having his body pressed against hers.
He held her for several seconds without a word. When he stepped back, he opened his mouth to speak, but she was afraid of what he’d say so she kissed him before he could get any words out.
At first, he put his hands on her shoulders as if he’d step away from her. But then he did the exact opposite and held her even tighter.
The kiss grew feverish before Patience finally broke it off. She was filled with desire for more intimate contact. But she couldn’t go too far. Now that she finally had her freedom, she needed to protect it by making good choices. She also wanted to prove to herself—and her father—that she hadn’t moved out just so she could sleep with Kanon.
“I made cookies,” she said. “Would you like some?”
The way his gaze lowered over her body sent a wave of excitement through her. “I think you know what I want.”
Suddenly too warm, she regretted the sweatshirt enough that she pulled it off. The tank top she had on underneath seemed to interest him even more, though. “I want the same thing, but I need to be careful.”
“‘Careful’ isn’t that hard,” he pointed out. “There’s always birth control.”
“There’s also guilt—something I think has been bred into me.” She scowled. “I need to do what’s best, what will lead me to a safe place.”
She saw his chest lift and fall as he drew in and then blew out a long breath. “Got it. And I think you’re right.” He closed his eyes for a brief moment before opening them again. “Okay, let’s have a cookie.”
She drew him into the kitchen and had him take a seat at the small table while she heated some hot chocolate to go with the cookies.
“Have you talked to your father yet?” he asked.
“No.”
“If you’re planning to make up before Christmas, you’d better get on with that. Otherwise, the holiday will be awkward even if you do make up because it’ll still be fresh.”
“I keep telling myself that.” She set his cup in front of him. “But the truth is…I’m enjoying the break. I like not having to filter everything through his eyes, if you know what I mean.”
“I know what you mean.” He took a bite of the chocolate chip cookie she gave him. “These are delicious.”
“Thanks. But I didn’t bake them. I dropped by to see if Tara needed help, but she said she didn’t need me until tomorrow, and since Ari has a friend who’s celebrating a birthday, I bought some so I could drop off a plate.” She carried her own cup to the tiny table and sat across from him. “What have you been up to the past couple of days?”
“Just work. But the motel is looking better.”
“I’ll drive by tomorrow so I can check it out. I was tempted to do that today, but I didn’t want you to feel as if I was stalking you like Glenda’s been doing.”
He chuckled. “She drives by so often I’m afraid she’s going to stop one of these days.”
Patience couldn’t believe she and Glenda were once again interested in the same man—although, maybe it wasn’t so surprising, given they were both single and Kanon was the greatest thing to happen to Hard Luck in a long time. “What will you tell her when she does?”
He held his mug halfway to his mouth. “That if I was going to get involved with anyone, it’d be you.”
She swallowed hard. She’d never really had a boyfriend. She and Jack had only been dating a few weeks when getting pregnant changed the direction of their lives. And since her divorce she’d been too scared—and scarred—to get involved with anyone else. She was only open to love now because she’d begun to believe she’d have a better chance at happiness if she finally took the risk of opening her heart.
At least, she’d be happy if she could find the right man. Kanon somehow felt like the right man, and yet her father thought he was entirely the wrong man. “What’s stopping you?” she asked.
He stared into his cup before looking up at her again. “It’s hard to explain. I just…don’t like getting too close to anyone.”
He had trust issues. So did she. But she liked him well enough to overcome hers—even if it meant getting burned in the end. Maybe that was the difference. “I won’t push you,” she said.
* * *
Kanon caught a glimpse of Glenda driving behind him in his rearview mirror when he stopped at the light on his way home. He hoped she’d wave when he turned into the motel and keep going, but she didn’t. She followed him into the lot.
“Damn,” he muttered as he parked. He didn’t want to deal with her tonight. He was frustrated, felt his own limitations were going to cost him something special where Patience was concerned, and yet he couldn’t see where caring too much about anyone was a good idea.
