Page 45 of Make Me Trust Again (Bluebonnet Creek #3)

My body freezes slightly as I just stare at him for a moment. I’m not sure what it is about this boy. There’s so much light and happiness packed in that small body. So much trust staring straight at me.

You’ll fail him, too.

I shove the voice into the box hidden at the back of my mind. Not tonight. Not in this moment.

“He really is big.”

“I know! And I thought Shadow was big and scary. But he could eat me. Shadow would never eat me.”

A strangled sound escapes me. Shadow comes to the couch, demanding to join us.

“I’m not so sure about that.” I ruffle his hair gently. “She might be tempted.”

Kyle giggles. “She wouldn’t!”

“What else did you see at the zoo?”

I don’t need to ask twice. Kyle leans against my chest and starts scrolling through the pictures, showing me a photo of every animal he saw, of which there were many, his chatter filling the silence. At some point, Shadow gives up and lays down in front of us with a huff.

Once he’s gone through all the photos, Kyle sits upright and turns toward Rose. “Mom, is dinner ready? I’m starving!”

Rose bites the inside of her cheek, trying to hold back her laughter. “Where was that hunger five minutes ago?”

“I had to tell Chase about the animals!”

Chuckling, she shakes her head. “ I actually think it might be almost done. I’ll go in and check. Why don’t you put that away and wash your hands?”

“Okay. Let’s go, Shadow.”

Kyle gets to his feet and goes into the house, Shadow following behind him.

“This kid.” Rose shakes her head as she gets up, her attention shifting to me.

Now that we’re alone, the silence seems almost deafening.

She grazes her teeth over her lower lip, a slight flush filling her cheeks.

“Why don’t you stay for dinner?” she asks tentatively, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear.

“I made lasagna. It tastes way better warm than cold.”

The hopeful look on her face makes my stomach sink.

“I—” The words are on the tip of my tongue. Rejection. She sees it, too. Her smile slips, although she quickly forces it back. But that light in her eyes is gone, and it kills something inside me. I’m the one who put that expression there, and I hate myself for it.

“It’s fine. I get it.” She starts to walk around me, her head is bent, words coming out muffled. “—should… go?—”

I extend my hand, my fingers wrapping around her wrist and tugging her back. Her eyes widen in surprise at the movement as her body collides with mine. “Don’t do that. Don’t turn your back on me and tune me out.”

I don’t like it. I don’t like it one bit that I can’t read her face. Her lips.

The understanding dawns on her, and she gives me an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, Chase. I—” She shakes her head. “You don’t have to stay if you don’t want to. I understand.”

And she does because that’s just the kind of woman Rose Hathaway is. Kind. Understanding. Forgiving. The kind that never asks for anything, not for herself.

One step at a time

Didn’t we say that the other day?

One step at a time.

Inhaling deeply, I will my galloping heart to calm. “I’d love to stay.”

The seconds tick by as she just stares at me, and it feels like it’s forever before her expression softens, the corners of her mouth curling.

“Okay.”

That little smile shouldn’t be such a sucker punch to the gut, and yet it is. It’s unabashed and pure. Like a ray of sunshine shining through the dark clouds, and the moment I see it, I want to get more of it.

My throat bobs as I swallow. “Okay.”

It’s just dinner; it isn’t such a big deal.

Keep telling yourself that, asshole.

Rose’s tongue peeks out, sliding over her lower lip as she clears her throat. “Umm… I should really go and check on the food.”

Fuck.

“Right. Food.”

I uncurl my fingers, letting my hand fall by my side. With one last glance at me, she turns and enters the house. I hesitate for a heartbeat before shaking my head and following her inside.

“What can I do to help?” I ask as I step into the house, taking in the space around me as I make my way into the kitchen.

The cottage is exactly how I left it, but there’re a few little details around the place that make it seem homier.

There’re flowers in a jar of some kind, and a candle sitting on the coffee table in the living room.

I can spot the boy’s shoes in the foyer, and Kyle’s toys are scattered around the living room.

The bathroom door is cracked open, the sound of water running dulling Kyle’s soft chatter.

Rose straightens as I enter the kitchen, mitts on her hands as she pulls out the lasagna from the oven and places it on the counter.

“Oh, it’s…”

She takes the mitts off and turns around, sucking in a sharp breath when she finds me standing in front of her. I place my hands on the counter by her sides, caging her in.

She tilts her head back, and I can see her pulse flutter in the base of her neck in a quick rhythm.

Holding her gaze, I give her time as I slowly lean down, but she doesn’t pull back.

My fingers curl around her nape, my nose brushing against the soft skin.

Her sweet, flowery scent envelops me, tugging at something inside me.

Unable to resist it, I press my mouth against her pulse point in a gentle kiss.

Rose’s fingers curl around my shirt, a soft sigh parting her lips as her body shudders at the touch. I tighten my hold on her, tilting her head. Her hazy gaze meets mine as I pull her in, my mouth capturing hers.

The kiss is all-consuming. My mouth slides over hers, evoking a low moan from deep in her lungs.

Her arms wrap around my neck, pulling me closer as our tongues meet.

My ears are ringing, but this time it’s all due to the blood pumping through my body, my every nerve ending standing at attention.

I push her against the counter, my body pressing into hers as I deepen the kiss, needing to feel more of her.

I’m so lost in her, I almost miss the echo of the door slamming closed. Breaking the kiss, I take a step back, putting some distance between us.

Rose lets out a sound in protest that shoots straight to my aching dick. My fingers tighten around her for a heartbeat, lips brushing against the shell of her ear. “You can’t be making noises like that, sweetheart.”

“Then you shouldn’t be kissing me like that.” Her tongue darts over her swollen lower lip, making me wish I could lean in and do the same. “Or calling me sweetheart.”

A low rumble in protest comes out of my lungs.

“Not happening.” Brushing my lips against her forehead, I take a step back.

Something glimmers in those deep blues as she watches me. “What was that for?”

I shrug. “I wanted to do it ever since I got here.”

Her cheeks turn a deeper shade of red, but before she can answer, Kyle runs into the kitchen, his gaze going to the food.

“We’re having lasagna!” He looks at me, not fazed even a little bit. “Mom’s lasagna is my favorite. Come, we have to set the table.”