Page 147 of Taken Away

Her jealousy, her fear, her carefully guarded heart—all of it melted beneath the steady, unhurried insistence of his mouth.

He broke away long enough to search her face.

“Is this okay?” he asked.

She thought about the office.

Vanessa.

Mabel.

Her mother.

Then about the way he’d said he wanted to find out where this went—with her.

“Yes,” she said. Her voice came out steadier than she felt. “It’s okay.”

Relief flickered across his face, followed by something that looked a lot like joy.

“Come here,” he said.

He kissed her again, deeper, and the argument slipped out of her hands.

When he finally pulled back, they were both breathing harder.

“Bedroom,” he murmured.

Her pulse stumbled.

“Bossy,” she managed.

His mouth curved.

“Accurate.”

He slid his hands to her hips and eased her away from the island.

She went.

Her legs felt shaky and sure at the same time.

He didn’t let go of her hand as he backed toward the stairs, his thumb stroking over her pulse.

Moose lifted his head from the rug by the fireplace, considered them, and sighed.

“Don’t look at me like that,” Aubrey muttered.

Bennett huffed out a laugh.

“He’s seen worse.”

“Comforting.”

“Come on.”

The word was soft.

He tugged her gently toward the staircase.