Chester wanted to thank the mail lady, but he was too relieved to speak through his little heart-­shaped embroidered mouth.
"No worries, little bunny. We'll get you back in the arms of the one who loves you the most."
And as good as her word, she did.
A few hours later, Chester was snug in the arms of his Misty Marie, where he lived happily ever after.
Jordan held the pink paper tightly in his hands. He blinked fast and hard so the moisture in his eyes couldn't escape. The story was short but beautifully written deep from within Nicki's heart.
A heart that for whatever reason, she'd turned cold against him.
At first glance, nothing in her story indicated anything of a personal nature. But Jordan couldn't help wondering if his baby sister wasn't feeling a bit like Chester, a little lost and lonely, and a whole lot forgotten. He wondered if after the tragedy she'd suffered, she was worried about finding her way or her own happy ending.
At that moment Lucy came down the stairs dressed in a pair of jeans, a soft white sweater, and bare feet with light blue painted toes.
"Well?" Those light blue toes came to a stop right near the edge of the sofa where he sat. "What did you think?"
Jordan didn't think.
He couldn't.
Not with all the hope and gratitude lifting up his heavy heart.
Unable to speak, he stood and pulled Lucy into his arms.
God only knew how Jordan Kincade's lips had ended up locked on to hers again. As soon as Lucy regained some use of the gray matter in her head, the sensation zapped her body like a ten-­million-­watt circuit. Once again his lips were surprisingly soft and warm and she found herself melting into his embrace and parting her lips when his tongue teased the seam, seeking entrance. She wrapped her arms around his neck, lifted to her toes, and kissed him back with everything she had.
He gave even more.
Someone moaned and Ziggy let go a growling bark.
Breathless, she pulled back. "Wow."
"Wow is right."
"That probably shouldn't have happened again."
"But it did. And if you give me another chance I'll come back for more."
So would she. Heck, if Jordan's kisses were a hint of the passion he was capable of, sign her up for the whole shebang.
"And I'm not going to apologize," he said.
"I wouldn't ask you to."
"Good." His broad shoulders lifted in a shrug. "Because I think that kiss is something we should have done a long time ago."
"Back then I probably wouldn't have allowed it," she lied.
The big bad hockey player closed the gap she'd put between them and stepped right into her personal bubble. She tried to hold her ground even though her knees wobbled like gelatin.
A corner of his mouth kicked upward. "Are you sure about that?"
"What I'm sure of is that we've gotten way off track. Again. And I want to hear your thoughts on Nicole's story." Flustered, Lucy escaped to the kitchen and set her mug of tea in the sink. To heck with herbal tea, she needed a glass of wine. A large glass. Preferably a Big Gulp size.
Opening the refrigerator door, she grabbed the bottle of Sunshine Creek Vineyards Chardonnay left over from her book club group last week.
"Nice to know you're supporting my family's business."
Of course he'd followed her into the kitchen. Where else would an alpha male go when he'd been left behind? Alphas didn't like to be left behind any more than they liked to be led. And there was no doubt in Lucy's mind that Jordan was one hundred and fifty percent alpha.
"I support as many local businesses as I can." She grabbed a wine goblet from the cupboard, uncorked the bottle, and poured the glass half full. "And your family makes delicious wine."
"Aren't you going to offer me a glass?" The lift to his dark brow suggested he might be amused.
"Don't you have plenty at home?" Of course she should offer him a glass. But that kiss had thrown her off-­kilter.
Way off.
"Probably." He opened her cupboard door, took out a goblet, and poured himself a glass. "But it's a lot more fun sharing with you."
Golden liquid splashed up inside the globe as she watched him pour. He tapped his glass against hers, then took a sip. For a brief moment he remained blessedly silent while the wine settled on his taste buds.
"Nice blend. Ryan's doing a good job."
"Your brother is good at many things. I would guess his job is one of them."
The frown on his face said he didn't like her comment. When he leaned closer, the frown deepened even as something in his eyes sparked. "Let me ask you straight up. Are you interested in my brother?"