Baby, Be Mine by Vivian Arend

respect that, but there’s a difference between me feeling obligated to spend money I don’t have, and being pleased to spend money I do. So let me know what you feel comfortable with, and I’ll try not to push you too far, too fast.”
    He tweaked her nose then dropped back into position to carry on fixing the floorboards.
    His arm moved in a smooth rhythm, biceps flexing as the hammer fell with repetitive ease. The temperatures outside her little house had fallen below freezing, but the first thing Gage had done that morning was restock the wood pile and get the woodstove blazing.
    The heat in the room—Katy wasn’t sure if it was the fire or her crazy hormones.
    Damn, the man was easy on the eyes.
    “I’m going to make some supper.” She paused in the doorway, glancing back in time to see him jerk his gaze off her butt and toward the floor. “You are staying for supper, right?”
    He whipped out the dangerous smile. “I’ve got no plans to head anywhere else.”
    She paced down the hallway, a trickle of happiness rising. For a moment there, she’d thought he was going to kiss her. Maybe later tonight.
    Now that the nausea was gone, her libido was working overtime.
    Dinner was half from the freezer, half fresh cooked, and by the time she’d put the completed pot of spaghetti and reheated sauce on the counter, Gage had joined her in the kitchen.
    He breathed in deep. “Heavenly.”
    “Twofer cooking.” She pointed at the open cupboard, and he grabbed down plates. “Janey and the girls and I started it years ago. We cook up double batches and freeze the second serving, then we switch them around. Means we get to try new meals, but don’t have to fuss with cutting back recipes for one person or end up eating the same meal too often.”
    “So you trade? Smart move.” He loaded his plate then glanced around. “Table?”
    Katy hesitated. She wanted something a little less formal even though it broke every rule she’d been raised with. “Want to watch a movie while we eat?”
    Gage’s eyes widened. “Katy Thompson, you heathen.”
    She hip-checked him lightly. “I know. Don’t tell my dad.”
    He pressed a finger to his lips briefly, then tilted his head toward the couch. “Sit, and I’ll bring the drinks.”
    Warm fire in the stove. Warm food in her belly.
    Katy was going to blame the heat enveloping her on those things. Not on the warm body nestled against her side. After they’d gotten rid of their plates, it seemed the couch had grown smaller. Or it had developed a hollow in the middle that rolled her toward Gage.
    Somehow they’d ended up with their thighs touching.
    She wasn’t even sure what movie they were watching. People raced after each other, guns went off. A wall exploded, but she’d lost track of the actual plotline as Gage stretched an arm along the back of the couch.
    A snicker escaped before she could help it.
    He leaned forward slightly. “What?”
    “Aren’t you supposed to yawn or something before you do that?”
    Confusion stretched across his face. She shifted her shoulders, rubbing his biceps softly.
    “Ahh.” The light went on in his eyes. Gage waggled his brows. “Only if we were teenagers. Now? We’re grown-ups. I get to move a little faster.”
    Oh lordy. Katy’s breathing kicked into higher gear.
    Gage adjusted position until he held her chin in his fingers.
    “Hmmm.” His thumb caressed her lower lip. “You said we haven’t even had a first kiss.”
    Katy made an attempt to speak, but no sound emerged. Instead, she licked her lips and tried not to hold her breath. Passing out would be a bad idea right now because she really, really wanted to kiss him.
    Gage’s gaze danced over her face. “I suppose this is as good a time as any…”
    Katy couldn’t agree more. She sat motionless as Gage leaned toward her, slowly bringing their lips into contact. A gentle caress of his lips over hers with increasing warmth, increasing pressure. She found her fingers