He took a half-step back, holding onto her waist as she swayed slightly.
5
She looked up at him in complete shock. She really had entered an alternate universe. Because there was no way that was real. Jed Carson had not just kissed her.
Nope. Nuh-uh. Didn’t happen.
Yeah? Then how come your lips are tingling? How come your clit is throbbing? Your nipples are hard? And why have you got the taste of him in your mouth?
And oh, why did it all feel so damn good?
Shit. She was so confused.
“I’m so confused.”
“I know. My fault.” He cupped her face between his hands. She peered up at him, even though she couldn’t make out his features in the dark. “I want you to listen to me. I was wrong to tell you to go. Repeat after me. I want you to stay.”
“You want me to stay.” Her lips still tingled.
“You’re going to stop going on blind dates.”
“No more blind dates,” she said obediently.
“Because you’re going to be too busy with me.”
Her heart raced. Busy with him.
“Come on, let’s get you inside and warm. It’s far too late for you to be out.” He gently directed her up the porch to her front door. “Give me your key.”
She dug her keys out of her handbag and handed them over without a word.
He unlocked the door and walked inside first. She followed him in and then she shut the door and locked it behind her. When she turned around, he gave her a nod of approval. “Good girl. Make sure that’s always locked.”
“I know,” she said. “I’ve lived in the city a long time. I always keep it locked.”
He frowned slightly for some reason. “What’s wrong?” she asked.
He shook his head. “Don’t mind me. Just don’t like the idea of you living in some city, unprotected.”
“Sylvie lived with me up until a year ago.” And the relief she’d felt when her sister moved out still made her feel guilty.
“And what about Bobby?” He waved his hand before she could answer, the look in his eyes dark and dangerous. “No, don’t mind. I don’t want to hear about him. Other than your assurance he’s out of your life.”
“He better never get near me again,” she whispered. She didn’t know what she would do if he did. But she’d do something.
Jed eyed her for a moment then he looked like he was going to say something before he shook his head. “Where is your brother?”
“Backpacking around South America.”
“Really?”
“I worry about him,” she whispered. “I get scared that he’ll get himself into trouble and I won’t be there to help him.”
He reached out and rubbed the frown line off her forehead. “He’s a man now, babe. He doesn’t need his big sister riding to his rescue, no matter that she’s done it all his life. He needs to stand on his own two feet.”
“I know,” she whispered. Didn’t mean she had to like it.
“You were more of a mom to those two than your own ever was.”