The Danforths: Reid, Kimberly and Jake. Maureen Child

that finally pulled them out of the bedroom. While Reid showered, Tina had her omelettes cooking and her own special recipe of breakfast potatoes warming in the oven. Considering the night they’d had, she was certain he was going to be one hungry man.

      Lord knew, she thought with a smile, he certainly was a man with an appetite.

      They’d dozed on and off throughout the early morning hours, waking briefly enough for a kiss or a touch…sometimes more. Remembering how eager she’d been for him brought a blush to her cheeks. And though she had no idea what today, tomorrow or next week would bring for her, she had no regrets at all. She’d waited twenty-four years for last night, and even now, in the light of day, she was so glad.

      It had been amazing. He had been amazing. But there’d been no whispered promises, no mention of the future, and though it pained her to think that last night might be their only night together, she’d gone to him with her eyes wide open.

      Unfortunately, her heart had been wide open, as well.

      Sometime during the night, or maybe the first time she’d laid eyes on him, she realized, she’d fallen in love with Reid. She’d fought it, of course. It was, after all, very foolish and completely reckless. But clearly, reason did not prevail when it came to love. It simply was.

      At the sound of the shower turning off, she slipped her omelettes onto plates, loaded on potatoes and was setting them on the table when he walked into the kitchen wearing nothing but a knotted towel slung low on his hips. Her heart jumped at the sight, and that ache she’d become so familiar with last night pulsed through her veins. The intensity of it startled her, had her wondering, and worrying, about tomorrow.

      She couldn’t think about that now, refused to let herself give in to fear. She would accept what they had and be happy for it.

      And then he smiled at her and her heart shattered.

      ‘‘Hey.’’

      ‘‘Hey, yourself.’’ She swallowed the lump in her throat and forced herself to smile back. ‘‘Breakfast is ready.’’

      ‘‘Smells great.’’

      He walked toward her, made every piece of her heart vibrate with longing.

      ‘‘It’ll be on the breakfast menu of my restaurant in one year.’’ She hoped her voice sounded as easy as she intended. ‘‘As soon as I have my space back from you, of course.’’

      When he moved beside her and leaned close, her breath held, waiting for his kiss. But he reached past her to the table and snatched a slice of potato instead, then popped it in his mouth.

      ‘‘Tasty.’’

      ‘‘Thanks.’’

      She was about to turn when he tugged her to him, then covered her mouth with his. She melted into the kiss, felt it sing through her entire body.

      ‘‘Very tasty,’’ he murmured against her lips and pulled her closer. ‘‘You know what they say, don’t you?’’

      ‘‘What?’’ she whispered, sliding her arms around his neck.

      ‘‘If you can’t stand the heat—’’ he scooped her up in his arms ‘‘—get out of the kitchen.’’

      Laughing, she wrapped her arms around him and held on as he headed for the bedroom. At the sound of keys jangling in the doorknob, Reid stopped and turned. Tina froze, watched in horror as the door swung open.

      ‘‘Well, now, what have we here?’’

      Ohmigod.

      Clutching her robe together across her bared breasts, Tina blinked, then sucked in a lungful of air and managed a weak smile. ‘‘Hi, Aunt Yana.’’