Sunday Snog ~ Coming Home

Here's a nice hot one from Coming Home, now available from Resplendence Publishing

Several minutes later, Kate let the back door close gently behind her and locked it. She didn’t try to kid herself about why she’d gone out the back way. She wanted to see if Gabe was still around. He wanted to talk, and though she wasn’t looking forward to the conversation, she felt she owed it to him to actually talk to him. Also, he’d looked so hurt during the exchange with Sean. The others didn’t see that, of course. They just saw him as the big brother who always took charge, not as someone vulnerable with real feelings.

She didn’t really expect to find him out here. He’d taken a suite at the resort and had probably already headed back there. But maybe… Her gaze zeroed in on the dock that ran the length of the boathouse, and her heart leapt into her throat. He was there, silhouetted against the last light of the setting sun.

Without giving herself a chance to change her mind, Kate started across the yard toward the lake. What was she going to say to him? How should she act? Shit, it was like high school all over again. No wonder she’d hated adolescence. She ran her hand through her hair, pushing it away from her face, and tucking it behind her ears.

She stopped just before the dock and took in the sight of him. His back was straight and his hands were fisted tightly as he looked out across the water. Kate took a deep breath and put a hand to her stomach, trying to calm herself.

“Hello, Kate.” Gabe turned toward her.

“How did you know it was me?” Kate stepped onto the dock and walked its length until she was next to him.

He chuckled hollowly. “Only you would come check up on me. The others couldn’t care less.”

“That’s not—” She stopped herself. He didn’t need her contradicting him. “Are you okay?” She hesitated a moment before reaching out and touching his hand.

He glanced down at her and smiled. He relaxed his hand, and when their palms met, his fingers closed gently around hers, giving them a slight squeeze. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just a lot on my mind. Nothing to worry about. Should we sit?”

She nodded and released his hand to bend at the waist and take her sandals off. Gabe toed his shoes off, then removed his socks and rolled his jeans up. They sat and dipped their feet in the lake. Kate swung her legs back and forth, watching the water ripple with the movement. Gabe reached over and grasped her hand again, sending tingles up Kate’s arm.

Silence surrounded them. Hands linked, they studied the lake and its surroundings. Kate tried to concentrate on the scene in front of her, but her mind focused on the feel of Gabe’s hand. His thumb began to stroke the back of her hand, and her heart quickened.

Lifting her head, she found his eyes on her.

“What?” she whispered.

He lifted his other hand and ran it though her hair. She shivered as his fingertips grazed her scalp. “You grew it out. I didn’t notice when…well, before.”

“I had it up before.” She’d always worn her hair shorter—never past her shoulders. Now, it fell to the middle of her back. She resisted the urge to fiddle with it, but couldn’t quite manage to keep her mouth shut. “You don’t like it?”

“I do. It’s different, but nice.” He played with the ends of her hair and met her gaze.

Breathe, she told herself as she stared into his green eyes. Desperate not to stare in silence, she blurted out, “You look good, too.”

She saw his lips curve as his head lowered. Her eyes slid shut as his lips met hers. The kiss was gentle and brief. She nearly cried out when he pulled away. His face was a scarce inch from hers.

Releasing her hand, he reached up, cupped her face. “When did you grow up, Kate?” He gave her no time to answer before claiming her mouth again.

She rested her hands on his waist and tilted her head up to deepen the kiss. Warmth spread from her lips through her body like hot oil. The world faded around her. There was only Gabe. She felt him urge her lips open. Her fingers curled into the hem of his T-shirt as his tongue swept through her mouth and dueled with hers.

Sliding one hand into her hair, he fisted the curls and pulled her head back. His lips trailed over her jaw, down to her neck. He sucked at the delicate skin then nipped with his teeth. Kate’s belly tightened, and desperate to feel his skin, she yanked at his shirt. Flattening her palm on his back, she ran it up then down again, savoring the heated flesh.

Gabe dragged her skirt up and skimmed his fingers along her thigh to play along the edge of her panties. “God, I can’t stop thinking about you.”

Now head on over to Victoria Blisse's blog to read her snog and others! 

Hugs,

~J