Page 62 of The Maverick's Homecoming

He knew why without her having to say more. “Tom and Ed will be lonely.”

“Yeah. I haven’t seen them since I left for work this morning. And they are just babies, you know.”

“Yes, I do.” His eyes made the kind of promises that had her breath coming faster. “Bring them to my place.”

“I would love to, but—”

“Not in the mood to haul all their gear over there with you?” One corner of his mouth had kicked up in a crooked smile.

“Exactly,” she said. “It’s kind of a lot.”

“No problem. Just so happens I bought a litter box and the litter to go with it, food, bowls, a cat bed and some toys I think they might like.”

She actually gasped. “You didn’t!”

“Oh, yes, I did. What can I say? I’ve been promising them a playdate at my place.”

“Oh, so they understand English now?”

“Of course, they do. They’re very bright boys. And now that I’ve made them a promise, their feelings will be hurt if I don’t follow through. It’s a trust issue. They count on me to keep my word. If I don’t, they’ll grow up cynical and unable to form meaningful relationships.”

“Oh, Finn…” Too bad grabbing him in a hug would be wildly inappropriate given that they were in plain sight of the entire football team.

He suggested sheepishly, “I was kind of hoping you might pick them up and bring them along with you. I’ll get takeout from Satterfield’s.”

What could she say? He’d won her over completely back at the part where he said he’d bought everything her kittens would need to feel at home at his house. “I can’t stay too late.”

“I know. School tomorrow. I promise I won’t keep you past…?” He waited, letting her fill in the time.

“I really should leave by nine.”

“Nine. Got it.” He swept off his hat. “That’s a yes, then? Dinner at my place, Ed and Tom included.”

“That is a yes.”

* * *

Finn had a plan and his plan worked perfectly.

Later, at his place, they ate fork-tender filets, roasted potatoes and grilled asparagus as Tom and Ed batted a jingle ball around at their feet. They cleaned up after the meal together.

What was it about cleaning up the kitchen after dinner with Kenzie? Finn asked himself. It flat-out made him want to take her to bed.

Then again, it didn’t matter what they were doing. He was constantly thinking about getting her out of her clothes.

He kept his hands to himself for as long as he could. Objectively, it wasn’t long at all. It only took a few minutes to clear off the table and load the dishwasher.

As he shut the dishwasher door, she was wiping the last counter, the one by the sink. All he had to do was take one step in her direction.

They kissed. A long, slow, sweet, perfect kiss. Those slim hands of hers slid up over his chest to link around his neck and she gave him a tender moan of pleasure as her tongue tangled with his. He held her close, loving the feel of her body pressed against him.

Eventually, she pulled back. Gazing up at him through those unforgettable eyes, she said, “I honestly can’t stay all that long.” Her no-nonsense tone only made him want to kiss her some more.

So he did.

Deep, endless kisses. Short, sweet, tender ones. Wet kisses, playful kisses. Kisses that felt to him like promises—the kind he feared she wasn’t ready to hear or make or keep.

He was careful. He didn’t push. She was the one who took his hand and led him to his bedroom. The kittens failed to follow. They were still busy chasing the jingle ball. He smiled against her lips as he shut the bedroom door with a nudge of his heel.