The Kidnapped Christmas Bride (Taming of the Sheenans Book 3) by Jane Porter

her a look over his shoulder. “I want you happy, too.”
    She didn’t look at him. She stared at the pan, watching the butter melt. “We’re here for TJ. This is about him.”
    “Not for me.”
    “Trey, it’s important I be straight with you. I want to be fair to you. I’m not interested in romance, or a relationship with you. But I would like to be friends. Good friends. That way we can raise TJ amicably, without tension.”
    “I agree.”
    “But a romantic or sexual relationship would just complicate everything. You know it would. The sex thing always gets us in trouble.”
    He’d learned a lot living for the past four years with little personal space and zero privacy. He’d learned to check his emotions by removing himself from a situation. He did that now, aware that this wasn’t about him, but her, and what she needed. McKenna needed to feel safe. She needed space. She needed time. No problem.
    He nodded as he poured the beaten eggs into the skillet with the melted butter. “You’re right,” he said. “The sex was a problem.”
    Her jaw dropped ever so slightly. “You think so?”
    “I do.” He put the ceramic bowl in the sink and rinsed it out before reaching for one of the green checked dishtowels to dry his hands. “The problem is that the physical side of our relationship was too good. Making love felt so natural that I think we expected the rest of our relationship to be that way.” He glanced at her. “Now, I don’t regret the sex. It was hot. Pretty damn amazing. You know how much I love your body, but maybe the touching and kissing got in the way.”
    She blinked. “Wow. I’m….shocked. But in a good way.”
    “That’s good.” He smiled at her. “It’s nice that we are on the same page.”
    She pushed her hand through her hair, shoving it back from her face, and he told himself he hadn’t noticed the way her shirt cupped her breasts or lifted to reveal several inches of pale creamy skin high on her thigh.
    They weren’t lovers anymore. They were friends. Platonic friends. Platonic friends who didn’t have fringe benefits. He’d make sure of that. And he’d be the best platonic friend she ever had. So good that she’d be the one to begging to get back into his bed.
    He gestured to the pile of clothes still stacked outside her door. “I picked up a sweatshirt for TJ at the convenience store, and found some clothes that belong to one of my brothers that will get you covered and warm until we can go shopping after breakfast. Feel free to top off your coffee before you shower and dress. I’m sure you’ll feel far more comfortable and less naked once you’re out of that old shirt and dressed.”
    She stared at him a moment, and then nodded. “Sounds like a plan.”

Chapter Eleven
    ‡
    I t was the twenty-first of December, the last Sunday before Christmas, and Cherry Lake sparkled beneath the sunlit blue sky, Main Street picture book pretty with festive green boughs and red ribbons on the lights and carols playing from invisible speakers. The cafes and shops lining the street were perfectly festive, too, decorated with fragrant wreaths, frosted windows, and charming holiday displays.
    But trying to find everything they needed in Cherry Lake took some creativity and visits to six different stores to purchase the necessary undergarments, outer garments, shoes and coats. In the past, Trey had dragged his feet on shopping trips, but his patience and good spirits this morning amazed McKenna. He carried all the bags, kept TJ entertained, and hummed along with the carols, reminding her that he had a gorgeous voice.
    He was gorgeous, too, and she wasn’t the only one who’d noticed. Women in the shops stared appreciatively, while others passing them on Main Street, cast swift, furtive second and third glances.
    McKenna had forgotten what it felt like to be out with a man that drew tons of female admiration. Lawrence had been pleasant looking, attractive in that wholesome kind of