Lilac Time

Chapter Four

Chapter Four

T wo weeks passed in a haze of semi-happiness. Life was good, and she enjoyed plenty of attention from Devlin, but the “soon” he’d promised hadn’t yet happened. Not his fault. She knew he was trying.

They’d arranged three “dates” to finally get together, but fate had other plans.

On their first attempt, Mia’s school called to say she wasn’t feeling well. She had a fever, and that nixed any extracurricular activities. Poor Devlin had his hands full for four days until Mia was finally over her bug.

AnnaBeth helped as she could, dropping off a care package of popsicles, a coloring book and fresh box of crayons, and a silly “get well” card for Mia. She’d also included a big serving of stew and bakery bread for Devlin, with a “miss you” note.

Devlin had insisted he didn’t want her or Sony to get sick, so neither of them could visit in person. She’d put all the goodies in a pretty basket on their porch, then texted him to let him know it was there. From the doorway, he’d waved. Feeling a little more daring, she’d texted him a series of kissing emojis, which had made him laugh, and he texted back, promising again: Soon .

On the day of their next attempt, she got an offer for a big project promoting a new amusement park, but the manager wanted to meet her in person first. She had to drive two hours to the park, then spent most of the day touring the facility, making notes and taking photos of all the activities. By the time she got home, it was late. She was just thankful that the spring weather, while windy, had been dry and mostly sunny.

Then on their third attempt, Sony tripped and bruised half his body. Literally half . It was awful. The worst of the bruising was on his shoulder, where he’d landed first against the wall, but his hip had bumped a table on his way down, and the poor leg and side where he’d landed were far too colorful. Even the arm he’d attempted to brace himself on was now myriad shades of purple and olive green. It nearly made AnnaBeth cry to see it, which had amused Sony even as he’d assured her he was fine.

Their “date” ended up being at the emergency room, where she sat with Mia in the cafeteria while Devlin stayed at Sony’s side. Thankfully, his uncle hadn’t broken anything or suffered a concussion, but it was a long day of tests to make sure. By the time they’d gotten home, everyone was beat. Devlin spent the night with his uncle, and AnnaBeth had gone home alone—again.

Seriously, she was starting to feel jinxed.

Early the next morning, she was sitting at her desk, sipping coffee and going through emails, when a text dinged on her phone. Already smiling, she lifted it and read the message from Devlin:

b at your door in 2 mins FYI

At her door? She glanced out the window and saw plenty of lights on at Sony’s house. Were they all up then? She hoped Sony was okay.

But good grief, she hadn’t even brushed her teeth yet! She’d awakened, stumbled down the steps, fixed her coffee, and gotten online. It was her usual routine, the way she liked to prep for her day. She never had company, definitely not while she looked like the walking dead.

Racing from her desk, which startled Ruby, she bolted up the stairs two at a time, then slid into the bathroom, thanks to her socks. She looked in the mirror and groaned—but priorities won out. Forget her messy hair and sleep-puffy eyes. Teeth first.

She brushed with a vengeance, gargled and rinsed, then splashed her face and dried it. She reached for the tie keeping her hair in a sloppy knot at the top of her head . . .

And the knock sounded on her door.

Ruby yapped in excitement, and AnnaBeth, wishing she wasn’t such a slug in the morning, headed quickly back down the stairs. “Coming,” she called out, while her brain scrambled for ways that she might be able to improve her appearance in the fifteen seconds she had left.

Regrettably, not a single good idea came to her.

Giving up, she snagged Ruby’s leash, clipped it on the dog’s collar, and opened the door.

Devlin stood there with one shoulder propped on the doorframe, a sexy smile in place. With morning whiskers and messy hair, his shirt and shorts wrinkled, his feet shoved into sneakers, he looked rumpled and irresistible.

Already a little turned on, AnnaBeth said, “Hi.”

His gaze dipped over her; then he murmured, “Hi,” in a super-hot way and, curving one big hand around her neck, drew her in for a kiss.

Yes, that was definitely a better kick to her morning than caffeine.

He went on kissing her until Ruby pulled at her leash.

“You look amazing,” he whispered, while taking the leash from her and going out to sit on her porch step. “And I’ve always thought you had gorgeous legs.”

Completely dazed, AnnaBeth joined him. “We’re coming through a long winter. You’ve never seen my legs.” Around him, she’d mostly worn lined leggings or jeans.

“The first time I met you, a little over a year ago, you were in shorts. Trust me, I noticed.”

Her heartbeat tripped. He’d noticed her legs? A year ago? Odd, because he’d barely seemed to acknowledge her at all way back then. He’d been busy with family, as she recalled.

As if he understood her confusion, he said, “I’ve always noticed every little thing about you, AnnaBeth. First how you look, because honey, you are incredibly attractive in a ‘not-trying’ way.”

His rough, sexy voice seemed to sink into her—and she had no idea what to say. “Um, thanks.”

“I mean it. You have incredible hair, no matter how you wear it.”

She touched a hand to her currently tangled updo. “Not so much now.”

“Definitely now.” He kept his attention on the little dog as she investigated the yard, a flower bud, and a bug. “Seeing the back of your neck makes me want to put my open mouth there—and my tongue.”

Her breathing deepened. “Yeah.”

He turned to her, searched her gaze, and smiled. Lightly, he grazed a finger over her nape, down along the side of her neck, then her shoulder, easing aside the loose fabric of her shirt as he went.

Breathlessly, she said, “No fair seducing me on the porch steps when neighbors might come out of their houses any minute.”

Reluctantly, he drew his hand away but said, “If a few words count as seduction, I predict we’re going to have a lot of fun once I get you alone for two solid hours.”

“Two hours?” AnnaBeth shivered, getting far too warm at what he was suggesting. “Seriously, no fair , Devlin.”

Giving her another slow, carnal smile, he countered, “But it’s fair for you to be flaunting all this bare skin when I’ve been hungry for you for so long?”

He had a point. “Two weeks is a long time.”

“Honey, I’ve been wanting you for much, much longer. I just didn’t do anything about it until recently.”

Whoa, what an admission. Liking the sound of that, she stretched out her legs, displayed beneath her shorts but with thick, white, oversized socks on her feet, now slouching around her ankles. Wiggling her toes, she said, “The socks are a bit much.”

“They’re cute. Like fetish wear.” For a brief moment, he rested his left hand, the palm large, warm, and a little rough, just above her knee, while his thumb played leisurely over her skin. “I like them. Feel free to wear them to bed if you want.”

Much more of that, and she wouldn’t be able to breathe at all. “I figured I looked pretty ridiculous.”

“Adorably sexy,” he countered. “As always.” He slipped his arm around her, and for a minute, they sat quietly while Ruby chose three different spots to do her business.

When the little dog finished, she stretched out on the walkway to enjoy the warm morning sunrise.

“It’s already a gorgeous day.”

“A day I’ll need to spend with Sony. He’s fine,” Devlin said, knowing she was about to ask.

“But?”

“I don’t want to leave him alone.”

“Of course not. If there’s anything you need to do, please let me know.” She looked toward the house. “In fact—”

“Don’t worry. He’s awake, stiff, and feeling it, you know? It makes me cringe to see how bruised he is. I convinced him to spend the day in bed, resting. He has a TV in his room, and I told him I’d be around to fix his meals and help him to the bathroom or whatever. He can get there on his own steam, but he’s sore.”

“I’m surprised you were able to talk him into staying in bed.”

“It helped that Mia curled up on top of the covers next to him. She knows I’ll be here on your porch, and she should come get me if there’s any problem, but for now they’re watching Ninja Turtles.” He nudged her a little. “She’s explaining the history of it all to Sony, how they were regular turtles that got splashed with ooze by an evil guy, and that turned them into talking teenage turtles who love pizza and were taught by a rat.”

His explanation made her smile. “Sounds like a riveting story.”

“Like most kids, Mia has her moments. Today should have been a school day, but after everything yesterday, I let her take the day off.”

“What about you? You’re able to take a day off?”

“You know I’m a personal banker, right?”

She did, but she wasn’t sure exactly what that entailed. They’d only talked about his work a few times. “You can work remotely?”

He nodded. “Especially when I don’t have any face-to-face meetings lined up. I do have some business calls to make, and a little financial research to do for a client, but it shouldn’t be too tough to juggle.”

“I have a light day today. Want me to come over when I’m done so you won’t get interrupted? I could take care of lunch, and even dinner. Plus, Ruby could visit with Mia, and vice versa.”

For several heartbeats, he just gazed down at her, warm emotion in his eyes. “I was thinking . . .” Devlin said.

Wondering if she’d overstepped by inviting herself over, she gave a nervous laugh. “The way you’re looking at me, should I be worried?”

“No. You should never be worried with me, because I would never hurt you.”

AnnaBeth blinked. “I know that. I was just joking.” Sort of.

“No, I don’t think you do.” He hugged her to his side. “I care about you. Far more than I think you realize. We’re good together, but right now it feels one-sided, because you’re the one giving everything.”

“That’s not true.” How could she explain to him how much she loved being included? If she just threw that out there, he might think she only wanted him for his family. True, she loved Uncle Sony and Mia, but they were bonuses to . . . loving Devlin.

Oh, crap. She loved him. She was in love with him.

And had been for a while. Now that she’d acknowledged it, the truth worried her.

Tentatively, she said, “So you’ve noticed how well we work as a team?”

“With you doing all the work.”

She sought words that wouldn’t spook him, and settled on saying, “Being with you, being with Sony and Mia, it’s special to me. Not at all like work. More like being accepted, like I’m part of it all.” Like having a family of my own . Of course, she didn’t say that part aloud.

Hugging her a little closer, he kissed her temple and said, “We love having you be part of us.”

Love . That word seemed to be ringing in her head right now, then echoing in her heart.

“That’s what I wanted to talk about. Keeping you a part of us.”

Her shocked heart skipped a beat, then seemed to stumble while trying to catch up. Slowly she turned to face him. “Meaning?”

“Meaning I want my uncle and daughter to know I’m seeing you. I want to be able to explain to Sony that we’re a couple, so when we want time alone, he’ll understand.”

Her lips parted for a slow breath. A couple.

“I wouldn’t hurt you, AnnaBeth, not you or your feelings, and I would never deliberately do anything to disappoint you.”

She nodded. “Okay.” Then added, “Same,” for reassurance. Her thoughts seemed to be as jumbled as her breathing at the moment.

One side of his mouth curled. “Perfect. Then maybe we’ll be able to figure out that alone time fairly soon. Understand, though, I’m not talking about a temporary thing.”

She nodded again, and started to say, “Okay,” but she’d already said that, so she switched to, “Works for me.”

“Love how agreeable you are.”

So they were going to keep exchanging that word? Playing along, she quipped, “I love that you care so much about Sony and Mia.”

“And you.”

Yup, that was her heart, trying to leave her body. As if to contain it, she pressed a hand to her chest. “Back atcha.”

“I know we’re on your porch.” His gaze dropped to her mouth. “Pretty sure some neighbors might be up.”

“Probably.”

“I’m going to kiss you anyway.”

Nodding, she managed to say, “Go for it.”

With another crooked grin, he teased his mouth over hers, softly at first, then with more pressure, and more heat, until she felt his tongue.

She clutched at his shoulders, need suffusing her, and—

“Dad.”

They broke apart so quickly, AnnaBeth nearly slid off the step.

Holding her close, Devlin leaned forward to look past the railing to his uncle’s porch, from which Mia had called to him. “What is it, honey?”

“Can I play with Ruby? Uncle Sony said she can get in the bed with us.”

Completely discombobulated, AnnaBeth stood and did what she always did—she took charge. “Of course you can. I’ll walk her over to you. Then after I change clothes and answer a few more emails, how about we make breakfast? Do you like waffles?”

Mia’s gaze went back and forth between the adults; then she smiled real big. “I love waffles.”

Apparently, love was the word of the day. “Perfect. I have everything here. While we’re doing that, your dad can get some work done.”

Devlin said, “AnnaBeth.”

Realizing what she’d just done, how she’d taken over, she cringed a bit and asked, “Hmm?”

Cupping a hand to her jaw, he lightly kissed her lips. “Thank you.”

* * *

Over the next week, they worked out a near-perfect routine. Or at least it felt so to Devlin, except that he’d never wanted a woman more, and so far, he and AnnaBeth hadn’t found the right opportunity.

They spent plenty of time together, shared many heated kisses and enough prolonged touching that he felt tortured—in the most sensual way.

He and Mia had stayed with his uncle, him on the couch and Mia “camping out” in a pillow fort on the floor, something she considered great fun. The upstairs bedroom was available, but until Sony was back one hundred percent, he wanted to stick close enough to hear him.

Each day he drove Mia to and from preschool and to her visits with her grandma, and while he was away, AnnaBeth happily made sure that Sony wasn’t alone for more than a few minutes at a time.

What Devlin really noticed was how much Sony enjoyed her visits, and how more and more, Mia grew closer to her. Several times his daughter had started out at AnnaBeth’s side, only to end up largely in her lap. Once, he’d even found the two of them conked out together. Sony had explained that they’d been reading.

He remembered standing there beside his uncle’s chair, both of them staring at AnnaBeth and Mia, with Ruby piled on top. For once his uncle had managed a mere whisper when he said, “Does my heart good to see them like that.”

“Yeah, mine as well.”

Sony had eyed him sharply, and then his mouth lifted in a satisfied grin. “ ’Bout damn time.”

“I agree.” He’d lightly patted Sony’s shoulder. “She hasn’t yet agreed, though, so don’t pressure her, okay?”

With a not-so-quiet snort, Sony had turned his gaze back to the sleeping huddle on the couch. “I know my girl. She’s been in love with you forever.”

It was the snort that had caused AnnaBeth to stir, cutting short any further conversations on love. They’d both watched in amazement as AnnaBeth had expertly extricated herself from the couch without waking Mia or disturbing the dog. It was the sweet, lingering touch she’d put on Mia’s cheek that had really gotten to him.

Even his uncle had murmured a quiet, “Aww.” Then to Devlin, “Wrap it up, before she gets away from you.”

AnnaBeth hadn’t understood that, but Devlin certainly did—and he intended to heed his uncle’s advice, at least to the extent he could. To gain everything he wanted, he’d definitely need AnnaBeth’s cooperation.

The days that followed gave him a glimpse of how his future could be. AnnaBeth included Mia in everything, from fixing meals to planting flowers, to dusting the house, as well as playtime with dolls and dinosaurs. Several times, Devlin insisted on doing meals and cleanup, much to AnnaBeth’s consternation. It was clear to him that she enjoyed feeling useful, but he also wanted her to feel appreciated.

And loved.

They all fit so perfectly at Sony’s house that Devlin had no real urge to return to his own home—except that he planned to get AnnaBeth there soon, for obvious reasons.

Yesterday, he’d overheard Mia asking why AnnaBeth had a stake in her front yard, and she’d explained that she was going to plant a lilac tree there but hadn’t bought it yet. Without making a big deal of it, she’d said she was waiting until she had time and funds to take care of more landscaping.

In an effort to do something for her, he’d picked up Mia from school and then taken her to a nursery, where they’d found a large, healthy lilac tree ready to be planted. They returned home to find AnnaBeth and Sony in her yard together, his uncle in a lawn chair holding Ruby’s leash, and AnnaBeth on her knees, removing some weeds from around the early spring blooms in her landscaping.

The second he helped Mia from the SUV, she ran over, announcing to AnnaBeth, “We got you something!”

“You did?” AnnaBeth started to stand but Mia leaped against her for an exuberant hug. Even while keeping her dirty gloves from touching Mia, AnnaBeth managed to return the embrace with a laugh. Ruby wanted in on that action, so the little dog started running circles around them until she got tangled in her leash. Sony, who felt much improved, reached out to give the leash to Mia.

Once again, Devlin found himself watching them laugh together and smiling from the inside out. AnnaBeth hadn’t seemed to realize it yet, but she was a part of this family—a very special part.

She’d added so much to their lives.

Whether she accepted his plans for the future or not, that wouldn’t change. But he wanted to do everything he could to cement their relationship in the best possible way.

After getting a wheelbarrow from his uncle’s garage, he loaded the ornamental tree, along with a shovel, and called out to her, “Where do you want it?”

Her eyes rounded and she started to put one mulch-covered glove up to her mouth.

Sony caught her, saying, “Here now, take those off first, or you’ll be eating dirt.”

She blinked at him, then at Mia, who grinned hugely, and then back to Devlin. Quickly she stripped off the gloves and dropped them to the grass. “Is that for me?”

“It’s not for me,” Sony said. “I don’t need any more trees.”

As Devlin wheeled it forward, she moved excitedly to the right spot. “I have to dig the hole! It’ll go right here, and the ground is mostly prepped but—”

“I’ll dig it,” he said. “That’s part of the gift.”

“It’s purple,” Mia announced. “I knew you’d want purple.”

Devlin whispered, “But we can exchange it for white if you’d prefer.”

“Purple is perfect .” She clutched her hands together. “I’ve been wanting to get it, but I haven’t had time.”

“Because you’ve been taking care of us,” Sony said, looking every bit as pleased as Mia.

Tears welled in her eyes, and she reached out for Sony, drawing him in for a gentle hug. “That’s not true,” she said. “We’re friends spending time together. I’ve enjoyed it so, so much.”

“We’re not friends.”

She leaned back, her face aghast. “But I thought—”

“We’re family ,” Sony declared, pulling her back in for a tighter hug. “And you’ve done a lot.”

“Family!” Mia seconded, wrapping herself around AnnaBeth’s legs. Ruby yapped happily.

“Oh, but . . .” Freeing herself, AnnaBeth turned to Devlin, her expression both hopeful and wary.

His heart filled with emotions he’d never felt before, a special kind of contentment he’d never expected to find. “Family,” he agreed softly.

Her lips trembled; she sniffled, then gave a quick nod. “I really do love you guys.” She scooped up the dog, hiding her face against Ruby’s scruff. Concerned, Ruby licked her cheek while her skinny tail went wild.

“Here now,” Sony said. “Mia, you’re going to get your school clothes dirty. I’ll walk in with you so you can put away your backpack and change. Then we’ll join them again.”

Mia asked, “Can I take Ruby with me?”

Lifting her head with a happy smile and damp eyes, AnnaBeth said, “I’m betting Ruby would insist.” She subtly used her shoulder to wipe away a tear, then set the dog back on the ground and returned the leash handle to Mia. “Are you sure you don’t need any help, Uncle Sony?”

“I might still have a few colorful bruises, but I’m feeling good as new,” he declared. “Now go thank my nephew properly.”

Her gaze skipped over to Devlin. “I’ll see what I can do.”

Devlin waited until his daughter and uncle were out of sight, then he caught her hand and pulled her in close. “I have a plan.”

“To bowl me over, apparently. Seriously, dude, thanks for the beautiful tree. It’s beyond awesome.”

“It’s nothing at all compared to everything you’ve done, but I’m glad you like it.”

“I love it.” She drew a shuddering breath and stared up at him. “I love that you got it for me.”

Her eyes said even more than the words she spoke. “I love that a tree makes you happy.”

She laughed. “ You make me happy.”

Perfect. “So here’s my plan. Tomorrow, if you can spare the time away from your work, you could come with me to take Mia to school, and then we’ll head to my house, where we’ll finally be alone.”

Her beautiful blue eyes grew brighter. “Okay, wow, love that plan—if you’re sure Sony will be okay alone.”

“I’ll get his lunch together for him before I leave, but he really is doing fine now.” Devlin smoothed back a long, silky hank of her hair that had escaped her untidy topknot. God, she was beautiful to him—inside and out. “Tomorrow is one of the days Mia visits her grandma, but instead of me dropping her off there, Cindy asked if she could pick Mia up from school. Something about a salon day for girls.”

“Sounds like fun,” AnnaBeth murmured while staring at his mouth, her breath coming a little quicker.

“I think they’ll get their nails done or something. Cindy’s done that with her before, and she’s on the school’s list of approved people to pick up Mia.” He traced his fingertips over her jaw, brushing away a smudge of dirt. “Would it be okay if I added you to that list, as well?”

Her gaze popped up to his. “For real?”

“In the case of an emergency. I wouldn’t just impose on you—”

Shooting to her tiptoes, she clasped his face in her hands and smooched him soundly. “No joke, you can seriously impose on me anytime. I’m honored.”

In so many ways, usually just by being herself, she made him laugh. Hopefully, she would be just as enthusiastic once they were in bed. “So tomorrow. Are you able to take the time off your work?”

“You kidding? For what you have planned, I’ve already rearranged my schedule in my head.”

“You make me happy, AnnaBeth.” This time, he kissed her before he turned away to pick up the shovel.

Tomorrow, he’d make sure she knew everything he felt.

* * *

AnnaBeth fidgeted as she and Devlin left his SUV. This was the first time she’d seen his house, and she didn’t know what she’d expected, but the tidy mid-sized brick ranch with the barest, old-fashioned landscaping just didn’t fit with the Devlin she knew.

And as soon as she thought it, she felt guilty. This was the home he’d shared with Dana. Surely, he had to love it.

With a hand on the small of her back, he guided her up the sidewalk to the front door. A plain door, she noticed, painted in a color that blended with the bricks. The black, utilitarian doormat didn’t add anything to the curb appeal.

Casting her a surreptitious glance, he unlocked the door and pushed it open. As they entered, he said, “This place has never really felt like home, not like Uncle Sony’s house does to him, or your house does to you.” He secured the door behind them.

“It’s nice,” she replied. And it was, the bones of it anyway. “I guess Mia has a lot of friends here?”

“Not really. She’s made friends with kids at school, but none of them live close by. A few live nearer to Sony’s house, though.”

Hmm. She’d just assumed . . .

“AnnaBeth.” He turned her, cupped her face, and asked, “Are you nervous?”

“What?” She huffed. “No, why?”

“You’re frowning a lot.”

Damn. She immediately gave him a blinding smile. “I was distracted by seeing your house, but now that you’ve taken a roundabout way of reminding me why we’re here, what do you say we make a beeline to . . .” Damn again. Did he want to use his bedroom? Would that room have special memories for him? She honestly hadn’t thought that far ahead, so she quickly amended the end of her sentence to, “. . . wherever it is we’re doing this.” Then she bobbed her eyebrows—and felt ridiculous.

His gaze softened. “How about instead, I kiss you?”

“Solid plan.” She threw her arms around his neck and took the lead, which had him first laughing through the kiss, then pinning her to the wall and taking control.

Mmm, nice . Devlin in control mode was a special treat. Especially when his hands roved over her back, then went low to her hips and drew her closer still. He left her mouth to kiss a damp, heated path to her throat.

“Seriously,” she whispered, “I’m not the patient sort on a good day, but I’ve been waiting a year for you, so—”

He dropped his forehead to her shoulder and laughed. “Want me to get the show on the road, huh? Fine, I can do that.” Taking her by surprise, he scooped her up and headed down a long, carpeted hall.

“Hey, I’m impressed, but I could have raced you there.”

“You don’t know where we’re going.” He entered a room, then pushed the door shut with his foot.

Curiosity took her gaze on a quick trip from one side of the room to the other, but it was as uninspiring as the rest of the house. Clean, neat, and pretty much as utilitarian as the doormat.

“I told you,” he said, as he stood her on her feet by the bed. “It’s never felt that much like home.”

“It’s a great house.”

His mouth twisted to the side. “Honey, Dana has been gone for three years. She was a decorator, but I purged most everything in those first few months while I was trying to cope, and I’ve never really gotten around to redoing anything other than Mia’s room.”

Relief lifted her spirit. “So her room is different?”

“As she’s grown from a toddler to a little girl, she’s made her preferences known. Her room is pretty much how she wants it. Colorful, convenient, eclectic, and often a little messy.” He brushed a kiss over her mouth. “Nothing that Dana bought, because she long ago outgrew the baby stuff.”

“So there are dolls and dinosaurs, Ninja Turtles and My Little Ponies?”

“Exactly. I’ll show it to you later if you want. Much later. For now, I want you to put everything and everyone else from your mind. It’s just you and me, and I’ve also been waiting a year.”

“Fibber,” she teased. “You only got interested over the last month.”

He said, “I realized I was in love over the last month, but I’ve wanted you from the day I saw you.”

Her breath snagged, thoughts scattering in a chaotic whirl before slamming back together with a resounding clap of acknowledgment. She could hear her own heart beating, her eyes going damp.

Barely above a whisper, she asked, “You love me?”

This time, when he framed her face and kissed her, it was enough to melt her bones. “I love you so much, I can’t imagine life without you.”

“Devlin . . .” She had a million things to think about, but at the moment, all she could do was feel.

His eyes darkened even more. “We’ll work it all out, AnnaBeth. I promise. Every concern you have right now. Anything that’s worrying you.”

She wanted to believe him, but life had taught her to mistrust good fortune.

“Shh,” he murmured, kissing her forehead, her cheek, the corner of her lips. “Just you and me. Can we concentrate on that for now?”

Pretty sure that was all she could concentrate on. “Consider it done.” She stepped back up against him, and this time when he kissed her, her entire heart was ready.