Kiss by Kiss (Riggins Brothers #3) - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,16

in my seat a little from my excitement.

“Did you go to school to learn how to bake?” he inquires.

“No. My mom and my grandma taught me. Mom went to school for it, but I never did. I just picked it up. That’s part of why I was so nervous about opening my own shop. I don’t have an education.”

“Passion.”

“What?”

“You have the passion. Sometimes, especially in your case, that’s worth more than an education. I’ve tasted your treats, many of them, and let me tell you, there is nothing they could have taught you that you don’t already know. They’re delicious, Aurora.”

“Thank you.” My cheeks heat from his praise. “I can cook the basics, but baking… that’s my thing. So this—” I point through the front window. “—this is great. I’m so excited.” I look over at him, and he’s grinning, and I realize I’m acting like a fool. I immediately still. “I’m sorry.”

“Sorry?”

I nod, but I can’t make myself look at him. I’m sure the ridicule will start anytime now.

“Hey.” He reaches over and gently lifts my chin so my eyes are connected with his. “What just happened?”

“Nothing. I’m sorry for acting a fool.” I shake my head. I know better. I let my guard down.

“Aurora.” His voice is stern. “You have nothing to be sorry for. Do you know how relieved I am to know that you are excited about this? That we get to spend the day together doing something we’re both going to enjoy? That you’re sitting in this truck with me? Do you?”

“No,” I whisper.

“Fuck it,” he breathes, and then his lips are pressing against mine.

I’m frozen, not sure what to do. This is our first date, and he’s kissing me. The palm of his hand cradles my cheek, and his tongue traces my lips, and that’s all it takes for me to relax and open for him. He takes the opportunity to caress his tongue against mine, just a quick taste before he’s pulling away and resting his forehead against mine. We’re both breathing heavily, and my mind is racing. I’m not sure what just happened, but I’ll be the first to admit that it was too brief. I want his lips on mine again. And again. And again.

“I’ve been dying to do that since the moment I first laid eyes on you.” He pulls back, and both of his hands rest on my face. “I don’t know what the sorry was about, but I want your excitement. I want your happiness. Fuck me, but I want your sadness too. I can’t explain it, and I don’t want to. All I know is that you’re all that I think about. I know that seeing you light up when we pulled into the parking lot has my heart expanding in my chest. Don’t ever apologize to me for being happy or sad or mad. Fuck, I don’t care what you’re feeling. I want you to give it to me. All of it.” His lips press to my forehead, just a quick peck before he’s dropping his hands and pulling away. “Now, let’s go make some lunch.” He gives me a cheeky grin before removing the keys from the ignition and racing around the SUV to open my door.

I have a brief few moments to process his words.

He’s not mad.

He’s not Elijah. I know that, but after years of verbal abuse and certain expectations, it’s hard to break old habits. When my door opens, the cold January air hits me. “Thank you, Grant. For today, for what you said. Just… thank you.” I feel like I should say more, but the emotions clogging my throat, the past memories, and my current situation are almost too much to handle.

“Come on, baby.” He reaches for my hand, helping me out of the SUV, and with his hand on the small of my back, he leads us inside.

Chapter 7

Grant

“Well?” I ask once we’re in my SUV and sitting in the parking lot of the cooking class.

“That was so much fun,” Aurora says. Her hazel eyes are sparkling, and none of the fear she showed me earlier is present.

Fear.

That’s what it was, and I’m still raging mad at the man who put that fear in her eyes. This beautiful woman has been torn down, and she doesn’t realize how fucking incredible she is. I want to be the man to change that. I want to be the man who makes her see herself the way that I see her. A badass