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She noticed a glass of water on the bedside table and held the glass out for her mom to take. Her shaking fingers held the glass in both hands as she sipped at the water.
“Sorry. Honey. I. Find.” She coughed. “Dad.”
“It’s okay, Mama.” Lara looked at the foot of the bed and saw a blanket, but before she could reach for it, Tate swept it up from the foot of the bed and spread it out over her mom. Once again, her heart swelled at his considerate gesture.
Her mom took a few light breaths, then seemed to settle. “Thank you, honey.”
“Of course.”
Her mom’s weary eyes landed on Tate and she smiled. “It’s nice to meet you, Tate. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Mrs. Bennit.”
Her mom waved her hand out in front of her. Then dropped it to her lap.
“Can you tell me what happened?”
Her mom breathed in and out slowly before responding. “I got scared. I called your dad, but he didn’t answer.” She took a few slow breaths. “I reached for my medication and dropped it. I fell out of bed. Oddly, my breathing came back, but then I started coughing.”
“Okay. I’m so sorry you were scared. What can I do for you while we’re here? Are you hungry? It doesn’t look like you’ve started making supper yet.”
“I haven’t cooked in a week. Maybe more.”
Lara’s brows pinched together. “Dad said you made stew a couple of days ago.”
Her mom only shook her head.
Lara swallowed a lump in her throat. Tate, she noticed, perused the room. Constantly vigilant.
“I can make you some soup, Mom.”
Her mom shook her head again, then waved her away with her hand. “I just want to rest now.” She scooted down her bed and pulled the blanket up to her chin. Her eyes were closed within a second, halting any further conversation.
She kissed her mom’s forehead, then stood. When she looked up at Tate, his eyes locked on hers.
He knelt on the floor, looking under the nightstand and the bed. He sat back on his heels, puzzlement written on his face. “I don’t see a medicine bottle.”
Lara’s brows bunched, then smoothed. “She gets confused sometimes.”
He held his hand out for her to proceed him, and after stepping into the hall; he lightly pulled her mom’s door closed.
Once they’d stepped back into the kitchen, she turned to face him and felt his warmth wrap around her as he pulled her tightly to him and wrapped his arms around her. She sunk into his warmth and closed her eyes, laying her ear on his chest. She loved how strong his heartbeat was. It was calming. He was calming.
Chapter26
Tate liked the way Lara felt pulled tightly to him. She fit him, and he liked the way she smelled. He leaned down to kiss the top of her head and inhaled the scent of her hair. She had it pulled into a ponytail today, which showed off her slender neck and the little area behind her ears where he loved kissing a woman. It was soft and warm and usually elicited a response. He really wanted to kiss Lara there.
Lara pulled back and smiled up at him. Her dark lashes framed her blue eyes beautifully. Her full lips curved into a smile and he wanted to kiss them. So he did.
Bending slightly, he touched his lips softly to hers. Her intake of breath was the response he enjoyed most. She always seemed surprised he wanted to kiss her.
Her head tilted slightly, allowing him to cover her lips with his perfectly. He enjoyed moving his lips over hers. With hers. When she opened her mouth in invitation for his tongue to slide inside, he took it.
His left hand slid up her arm and stopped at her jaw. He softly stroked his thumb along her jaw, and she kissed him back.
He pulled away slightly and lay his forehead against hers. “God, I want you.” He whispered.
“I want you too. I don’t care if it seems too soon. It feels different with you.”
