Page 11 of Pick Yourself Up (Heroes to the Core #3)
The memories of his mom and sister swirled through him, causing his breathing to deepen as he struggled to keep the emotions inside.
Not that he thought Amber would judge him for tears, but he needed to keep in control.
Weeping over the loss of his family before seven in the morning wouldn’t be the best start to a day.
Although holding Amber and feeling her compassion made it a hell of a start.
He figured Mamma and Angelina would gladly make room for her in the pocket of his soul where his favorite females resided.
His mamma would be prodding him to kiss the girl already.
Not yet.
Still, he couldn’t stop himself from kissing her hair and squeezing her warmly. “Thanks. I miss them and think of them a lot.”
Amber loosened her arms and stood back. “Tell me about them.”
That hit in the heart as well. “Mamma was a stereotypical Italian mother. Loving. Fabulous cook. Hard worker. She would do anything for family and friends, but she had more than her fair share of fireworks in her soul.”
Amber grinned. “I bet she was a joy to be around.”
He chuckled. “Absolutely, unless you’d pissed her off. No one can do censure and guilt like an Italian mamma.”
“Did Angelina have the same fire?”
He smiled. “Not so much. Angelina was just like her name. An angel. Her CP was pretty advanced. She couldn’t move much on her own, and she wasn’t verbal, but she loved life.
She took joy in the simple things. The scents from the kitchen.
She’d squeal with delight when she realized Mamma was cooking her favorites. ”
His smile spread as he thought of the contented joy his sister always exuded. “She loved sunshine almost as much as she loved a soft rain on her face. Thunder and lightning had her clapping her hands.”
Amber’s wide smile and intense gaze had him continuing.
“She loved the outdoors best. We had a garden in the back. Herbs, vegetables, flowers. She loved the scent of basil and oregano. Her muscles were all tight, but she had some control with her arms and hands. She loved touching the different plants, everything from soft moss to prickly succulents.”
Amber squeezed his arm again. “She sounds like someone who made the most of life and brought happiness to those around her. You’re going to make these gardens sparkle. For her. For both of them. It’s going to be a paradise of peace, scents, and experiences. They’d be so proud of you.”
His eyes filled with tears, and he huffed out a breath.
Amber tried to blink back her own tears, but a few slipped over. He brushed them away, struggling to get his emotions under control enough to speak. “Thank you. That means so much to me. Thank you.”
He couldn’t have stopped leaning down to brush his lips over hers even if Boomer had bitten his leg.
She was an incredibly compelling woman, and he wanted to thank her. As an Italian, he was naturally demonstrative and easy with physical affection.
Kissing as a sign of gratitude was expected. Normal.
But the instant his lips touched Amber’s, all thoughts of gratitude flew out of his head.
He barely grabbed onto his control with both hands to keep the kiss quick. Well, almost quick.
The woman tasted like sunshine, and he wanted to deepen the kiss. But this wasn’t the time or place.
He lifted his head just enough to see her eyes. They were closed. Her lips curved in a smile.
Hell, yeah.
Her lashes fluttered open, and he saw the attraction he felt reflected in her eyes.
Not wanting to push his luck, Gray brushed a strand of her hair away from her face and trailed his finger over her cheekbone.
Amber’s eyes sparkled, and her lips tilted a little more.
Gray grinned and kissed her forehead, leaving his lips there for a moment. “That was supposed to be a simple kiss of gratitude to show you how much I appreciate your words and compassion.”
She leaned back and frowned. “But?”
He grinned. “But you’re an amazing woman and I almost forgot to control my attraction to you.”
Her eyes widened, but her frown remained in place. “Seriously?”
He nodded and brushed his fingers over her jawline. “Seriously. Back in Chicago, you impressed the hell out of me. You kept my client safe and didn’t cave, even when they hurt you. You’re strong and resilient.”
She sucked in a breath, and her frown disappeared.
He continued. “You’re gorgeous and smart, but it’s your inner light and strength that pulls at me, Amber. I don’t want to push or rush, but I’m very attracted to you.”
She studied him with those serious eyes, and he didn’t move a muscle. He let her look to see whatever she was looking for.
Slowly, so damn slowly, those lips softened and curved into a small smile. “I knew from the second I saw your eyes in the hallway that you were one of the good guys. That you were going to fix everything.”
Well, hell.
She reached up her hand and cupped his stubbled jaw. “Your inner strength and light pull at me, too, Gray.”
His eyebrows shot up, and she nodded. Then she grinned. “Of course, the gorgeous face and sexy body don’t hurt either, but you’re a good man, Gray. A very good man.”
At the moment, it wasn’t good that he was feeling.
And then his lips captured hers again.