Sweet Nothings by Kim Law Page B

pretty powerful stuff. “I should be crying to Lee Ann. She’s always been the one I go to when…”
    Her words trailed off, but he knew what she was about to say. “When I need someone.” And tonight she’d come to him.
    The enormity of that action filled him. Joanie may not want them to be anything to each other, but he wasn’t sure either of them could stop whatever was happening.
    When the tears dried, she remained tucked in tight, and he sensed her embarrassment now overshadowing her pain. Both at letting him see her cry, and also at knowing she must look a mess and that he would witness the damage when she stepped away.
    Instead of waiting for her to work up the courage to raise her head, he did it for her. Holding her steady between his hands, he lifted her face to his. Mercifully, it was a clear night, and the moon glowed down on her, highlighting her tear-stained face. She was beautiful.
    He used his thumbs to swipe over both cheeks, then leaned in and pressed kisses along the paths of her tears. She closed her eyes as he did, and he fought the urge to kiss her properly.
    “Would you like me to drive you home?” he whispered.
    She merely shook her head, her lashes resting against her pinkened cheeks, her lips turned down at the corners.
    “Then let me take you inside and tuck you into my bed. I’ll sleep on the couch. I don’t want you to have to go home alone.”
    Spiky eyelashes fluttered, then lifted, leaving dark eyes staring up at him. “You really are a good guy, Nick. I like that.”
    He typically hated being called a good guy. It had landed him with too many of the wrong women over the years. And this was the second time she’d done it. “I’m here for you whenever you need me, sweetness.”
    “I know.” Her lips curved a little and she nodded. “I appreciate it.”
    He wondered if she’d appreciate it if she knew how much he enjoyed her being pressed up against him.
    “So…” He cleared his throat and forced himself to lower his hands. “Bed?” He had no idea how he would get any sleep with her in the same house, but was determined to stand by his words.
    “No.” Her voice was small, yet there was strength behind it. She may falter, but she stood back up. “I don’t need to stay at the Barn tonight.”
    He stared at her. “The Barn?”
    A sad smile touched her mouth. “That’s what GiGi calls this house. The Barn. She and Pepaw named it.”
    Seemed Joanie inherited her oddities honestly.
    “I’m fine, Nick,” she added, giving him another of those sad smiles that lasted only a second. “Really. I just needed to let that out, and I guess I didn’t want to go home and do it alone.”
    Yeah. He knew about needs. He had some of his own. And sometimes they outweighed good judgment.
    Ignoring his better sense, he lowered his head before he could change his mind, and pressed his closed mouth to hers.

    Joanie’s eyes opened wide the instant Nick touched his lips to hers, then warmth moved through her and she let her lashes drift closed. His lips were firm, yet had just the perfect amount of softness, and were so toasty warm that she wanted to curl up with them so she’d never be cold again.
    She let out a little noise and edged forward, wanting more.
    He complied.
    He angled his head and when she parted her lips, he slid his fingers into her hair and quietly slipped inside her mouth. Normally she wanted a harder kiss, something faster and more to the point, but she had to admit, he was making quite a point just the way he was.
    Kind of a… wow kind of point.
    His hands gripped her face and tilted her up the slightest bit more, taking the kiss even deeper, and she became a puddle below the waist. Parts of her came alive that had almost forgotten how to work.
    Then it hit her… Nick was kissing her!
    He wasn’t supposed to kiss her. Business, not pleasure.
    She wouldn’t fall for him.
    But oh God, it was a nice kiss.
    A groaning sound came from him, reengaging her and making