If I Didn't Know Better (The Callaways #9)(60)

"Are you okay?" Jeremy asked, giving her a quizzical look as he passed her the bread.

"Yes. I just realized how hungry I am."

He didn't look like he believed her, but he let the lie go as they all dug into the meal.

After dinner, they watched a movie in the family room. Ashlyn sat between them, curling up against Jeremy's shoulder when her eyes started to droop, but she insisted on watching all the way to the end. When the movie came to a close, Jeremy took Ashlyn upstairs and got her into bed. While he was doing that, Mia went into the kitchen and put the dishes into the dishwasher and wiped down the counters.

"You didn't have to clean up," Jeremy said when he came back.

"You cooked. It seemed like a fair trade." She put the dishtowel back on the rack by the sink. "I should go home."

"Or you should stay." He moved so quickly she was trapped between his body and the counter. He put his hands on her hips and pulled her even closer. "Ashlyn is already fast asleep. I barely got through the second page of her favorite book."

"She could wake up. She could need you."

"And I'll go to her if she does."

She was tempted. Man was she tempted, especially when he gave her a tantalizing and inviting kiss. She drew in a breath, which was a bad idea, because his musky scent only turned her on more. "I don't know."

"Then let me make the decision for you. Come to bed with me, Mia. You won't regret it."

Maybe not for the next eight hours, but what about tomorrow—what about next week?

"Does any woman ever say no to you?" she asked.

"It's happened once or twice."

"Cocky and charming—a dangerous combination."

"Not as dangerous as sweet and sexy," he said, covering her mouth with his.

Jeremy led her to bed and took her to pleasurable heights she'd only dreamed about. When Mia fell asleep in his arms, she thought life was pretty much perfect. She just hoped the sun wouldn't bring that perfection to an end.





Fifteen

Mia woke up in Jeremy's bed alone, but the delicious ache in her body reminded her of the night they'd shared.

Rolling on to her side, she saw it was after eight. She didn't usually sleep this late.

Scrambling out of bed, she hopped in the shower, dressed and then headed downstairs.

Jeremy and Ashlyn were at the kitchen table. Ashlyn was eating cereal and watching the small television on the wall, and Jeremy was reading the paper and eating oatmeal. It was a cozy family scene, and she both wanted to be a part of it and wanted to run far away, because she really couldn't let herself start thinking that she belonged at that table, in this family.

Jeremy lifted his gaze and saw her hovering in the doorway. His intimate smile made her shiver, and for a long silent minute, they both relived the pleasure they'd found in each other's arms.

"What can I make you for breakfast?" Jeremy asked.

"Nothing. I'm going to go home. I'll get something there."

Disappointment filled his eyes. "Are you sure? You don't have to leave so soon."

"I need to really focus on the cleanup today."

"We can help you later. Ashlyn has an appointment with Dr. Westcott this morning, so we're tied up for a while."

"I want to go to Mia's house," Ashlyn protested.

Mia could see a storm brewing in Ashlyn's eyes. She had a feeling that yesterday's breakthrough might be both a good and a bad thing for Jeremy because now that Ashlyn was talking, she might have a lot to say that Jeremy didn't want to hear.

"You can come by later," Mia told her. "I need to take care of some stuff this morning. But we'll get together this afternoon, okay?"

Ashlyn didn't look happy, but she nodded and went back to her cereal and her television program.

"Thanks," Jeremy said, getting up to walk her out. "I think you just averted a tantrum."

"Ashlyn is going to test you," she warned. "She's trying to figure out where the boundaries are and what might push you away from her."

"Nothing will push me away, and, frankly, anything is better than the silence."

"I might have to remind you that you said that."

He smiled and took her hand in his. "I'm glad you stayed, Mia."

"Me, too." She felt an overwhelming wave of affection for him. He looked so ridiculously attractive even before a shower, his hair still mussed from her fingers, his cheeks with morning beard, his lips so perfect for kissing.

"You should not be looking at me like that," he warned her. "Not if you actually want to go home alone."

"The last thing I want to do is go home alone, but I can't keep getting into bed with you."

"Why not? It's working out pretty well so far."

"You know why not. We're both leaving…"

"Sometime. Not today or tomorrow. Let's not look any further ahead."

"Okay."

"Call me if you have any problems at the house, and Ashlyn and I will come over later to help you."

"Sounds good. And I'm sure I'll be fine."

He pulled her up against his chest. "One for the road."