Cadence of Cranberries - Valerie Comer Page 0,35
could get used to being taken care of again. She could get used to Charlie in her life. Instead of heading into the kitchen with the containers he’d set down, she stood there, waiting — awkwardly — while he finished removing his boots.
Then he stood in front of her, reaching for her hands while his gray eyes searched hers. “Winnie?”
“Yes?”
“You’re beautiful.”
She shifted a step closer. “You’re not so hard on the eyes yourself.” Especially when that lopsided grin came out to play, like right now.
His hands slid up her arms almost to her shoulders. “I’m glad we got that out of the way.”
Winnie couldn’t help her smile. “Me, too.”
Then he cupped her face between his palms. “I want to kiss you, Winnie Santoro.”
She slipped her hands behind his neck. “Is there anything stopping you, Charlie Jalonen?”
His lips swept hers like an airy breath. “Not if you put it that way.”
Enough with the teasing. Winnie cradled the back of his head and pulled him closer as his arms wrapped snugly around her back. And she kissed him.
Oh, boy. Did he ever kiss her back. She melted against him, standing there in the middle of her foyer where one of her kids could walk in any second and see them. But they were all busy doing their own thing, and what did it matter, anyway? The kids all liked Charlie, except Michael, and Michael didn’t like anyone right now.
She pushed thoughts of her young son out of her mind and gave herself over to Charlie’s kiss, to the flavors of cocoa and peppermint and cranberries, to the swoon-worthy music only they could hear, to the dance of a man with a woman he cared about.
Too early to think of love, but her feelings definitely slid that direction, and Winnie had no desire to stop them. Not when there wasn’t any reason to hold back. Charlie was everything her heart had been looking for since Al’s passing. Someone to love her, cherish her, share dreams and hopes and faith with.
All too soon, Charlie broke off the kiss and rested his forehead against hers. “Wow,” he whispered.
Winnie took a long, uneven breath, seeking the air she’d thought she could live without mere seconds ago. “Wow, backatcha.” She lost herself in his gray eyes, so near.
He kissed her again, lightly this time, and took a half step back.
Not so quick, buddy. She shifted with him, reached her mouth toward his.
Charlie kissed her but then held her away just a few inches. “You’re driving me crazy, woman.” His voice held a ragged edge that matched the smolder in his eyes. “I think I should go home now, after all.”
“I don’t want you to.” But a sense of propriety began sifting over her. “How about if I make some decaf and we sit at the island and we talk instead of... kissing.”
That lopsided grin again. “Truth? I want the kissing.”
“Me, too,” she said softly. “But you’re right. We need to ease back just a little, and I really don’t want you to go yet. Maybe we should talk about...” She waggled her finger between them.
Charlie captured her hand and kissed her finger while holding her gaze.
Oh, wow. Winnie could melt in a puddle for this man. She kind of already had. He let go when she took another step backward, but his intense gaze didn’t falter. “Stop looking at me like that.”
“Like what? Like I want to kiss you?”
“Yeah, that. Because if you can’t stop, you’re right. You should go home.”
“I can stop.” He picked up the containers and carried them into the kitchen. “Where do you want the leftovers?”
Winnie blinked then turned and followed him. “I don’t think there’s much left. Feel free to pack what there is into one container and take them home if you like. I’ve got lots more in the freezer, and the kids and I have another baking day planned as soon as schools break for the holidays.”
“I don’t know how you stay so trim with all those goodies.”
She laughed. “There’s a home gym in the basement. And I’m even acquainted with it.” She’d wondered why a few times, after Al died. Who cared if she let herself go? But the truth was, clinging to her longstanding habit had helped her cope. It still did.
“See? I keep telling you you’re amazing.”
“Flattery will get you nowhere.” Winnie removed the lids to evaluate what remained.
“Oh?” His arms slid around her from behind, and he nuzzled her cheek. “I think it will get me