“Yeah, I guess I know that.” He managed a smile, then reached for her hand and brought it up to his mouth. When he kissed her fingers, she shifted, turning her hand so that she could press her palm to his jaw. Then with a sigh, she leaned in and kissed him. “Let me make this easy for both of us. You made my time here more special than I could have hoped, and I’m grateful. We have a connection, and I’m grateful for that too. You’re smart and sexy and funny, and I enjoyed being with you.”
Past tense, he couldn’t help but notice. “Except for when I was stupid.”
“True. Except for that.” Her smile faded. “I promise you, I really understand that this thing between us is as temp as my job was. I knew it going in, and no matter what happens, or how much I fall for you, I will know it going out.”
Her eyes were soft and sweet now, and so deep it almost hurt to look at her. Quite simply, she staggered him. “Katie.”
“I swear to God, if your next sentence has anything to do with you regretting what we’ve had, or that you’re still worried about me falling for you, I’m going to-”
He kissed her. He just leaned in and kissed her, soft and deep and hot, the way all their kisses ended up being, and when she pulled back, she smiled. “Yeah, now see that’s how we should communicate from now on out. It’s clearly what we’re best at.”
He let out a half laugh half groan and hauled her close, burying his face in her hair, still smiling, even as he wondered…
How was he ever going to let her go?
Chapter 25
Annie stood at the counter in the lodge kitchen, listening to the radio tell her that a huge storm was coming, which fitted her mood just fine, as she beat her dough into submission.
She was making bread. Because bread was the salt of the earth, and the owner of her heart. Dammit.
She was going to eat warm, buttered bread and feel better.
Until her jeans got too tight.
Which, given what Katie had her wearing, wouldn’t be too long. She had no idea why she’d stuffed herself into one of her new pairs this morning. It wasn’t as if Nick would notice, the big, clueless lug. She’d also put on a snug sweater that showed off the boobs she’d spent most of her life hiding. Her hair was down, which men supposedly loved, not that she’d ever heard a word either way from Nick. She punched the dough.
All she’d ever wanted from the man was words. You’re pretty today, Annie. You’re my life, Annie. I love being married to you, Annie.
You’re hot, Annie.
Ha! The man had no words. He was the strong silent type, and she’d known that going in, but criminy. Once in a while, a woman needed more. And now her more was food.
Damn him anyway.
The door opened behind her, and without turning around, she rolled her eyes. “Cameron Wilder, you just ate my entire refrigerator. I’ll call you when I have more food for you to shovel into your mouth.”
“It’s not food I need.”
Nick. She went still, eyes glued to the dough in her hands. She had flour across the front of her, in her hair, and probably, given that she’d just scratched her cheek, all over her face. The man had a knack for seeing her at her worst. “I’m far too busy to deal with you right now.”
“Really?” He wandered into her sight, looking tall and lanky and rangy, and so damned sexy she wanted to chuck the dough at his head.
How unfair was it that when she was working, she looked like shit, and when he worked, he got dirty and rumpled and all the hotter for it?
“Looks like you’re making bread.”
“So?”
“So…” He leaned a hip on the counter and studied her. “You used to like my company when you made bread.”
“I used to like a lot of things.”
“Like me?”
Her heart stopped. She still liked him. She loved him.
“Annie.”
Ah, hell. His voice was low and gruff and terrifyingly gentle. And that’s when she realized he was holding a file.
The divorce papers.
He was going to tell her that he’d finally done what she’d asked and signed them, that the divorce was a good thing. That he wanted it too. Well, fine. She lifted her chin and faced him, flour and all.
His gaze swept down her, definitely noticing, then stopped short on her apron, and suddenly, he burst out laughing.
Having forgotten what this one said, she looked down at herself: I’VE GOT YOUR LOW-CARB DIET RIGHT HERE, PAL…
Below that, there was a black arrow pointing downward, ending right about crotch height. It was inappropriate but pretty much summed up her mood. “If you’re looking for another good laugh, you should know I have no plans to strip naked for your amusement.”
“Annie-”
“And I certainly don’t plan on trying to seduce a man who’s too self-absorbed and stupid to notice a naked woman when he has one right in front of him.”
“Annie.”
God, that voice. “You have the papers,” she whispered.
“Yes.” He tossed the file to the counter and stepped closer.
“I’m covered in flour here, Nick.”
“I know.” He put his hands on her arms and dipped his head a little to look directly into her eyes. “I know because I’m seeing you.”
Her breath caught and she wanted to turn from him rather than give herself away, rather than let him see how much those words meant, because that file on the counter told her it was all too late. “Nick-”