Max was worried. After only five days of having KC and Ryan in his home, he wanted to keep them permanently. He had the care of Ryan for at least eight months, but he also wanted Ryan’s mom. KC was everything he wanted in a woman, and she was living under his roof.
All of her things filled his house, mingling with his belongings perfectly. Her dishes graced his china cabinet and her table graced his dining room. They used her sofa in the living room, and her everyday dishes uncannily matched his. Her baking things crammed the nooks in his kitchen. Her toiletries and bathroom essentials occupied the second bathroom and she and Ryan’s beds completed the last two bedrooms upstairs. Her car looked great in the second stall of his garage.
More than just those simple possessions, he especially enjoyed sitting across from her at the breakfast table. He loved how her eyes met his when Ryan said something funny. Now, more and more they were connecting optically and he treasured those intimate moments.
He loved coming home at night, with her, knowing she planned a meal for them. Ryan began to blossom too. Seemed he was at an age where he needed a male in his life. Filled with gratitude that Ryan had chosen him, Max Morrison, for that coveted role, Max savored the nearness with this little family who included him in their lives.
And he was a healthy man, so he certainly enjoyed KC walking around in the tiny clothes she considered exercise wear. She also wore such clothing to bed, and twice now, she forgot to throw a T-shirt over the halter top and little shorts she wore. He ended up drooling all during breakfast both times. And hoped she figured it was because he really enjoyed the delicious food she prepared.
He enjoyed excellent conversation with a woman he admired and respected. A little boy who was wondrous and had long ago pierced his heart. Max finally saw the merits of marriage for himself. If only...
“Hello, Max,” KC said and waved a hand in front of his face.
He blinked and looked at her, hoping the lust he just encountered hadn’t shown in his eyes.
“Yes?”
“Did you hear anything I just said?” Exasperation rang with stark evidence in her voice.
“Nope,” he said cheerfully and ducked to avoid her swing. He laughed too because that was something else she made him do. Laugh. A sense of humor was vital.
“Well, pay attention.” She sent him that you’d-better-listen-now look she had perfected long ago.
Max’s lips twitched as he tilted his head to the side, widening his eyes. “Of course, your highness, I’m all ears,” he said solemnly, enjoying how the left side of her lip rose in disgust. She glared at him in dislike and he upped his grin. Like she could stay mad at him.
“I hate you,” she said, but with little heat.
“I know,” he answered, complacent in the fact she didn’t. “But since you have my undivided attention now...” and he cleared his throat.
She glared at him for a few more moments, but he kept his smile in place, something she hated, before she returned to their discussion. “About the Alverson contract, don’t let them ship you any more of those substandard needles. That’s why we lost that one you found on the carpet. Ask for this stock number,” she highlighted a number at the bottom of the page, “and make certain QC checks those numbers after each shipment.”
“It was substandard junk that caused those needles to fall out?” This news fully engaged Max in the conversation.
“Yes. Watch them carefully.”
“Why don’t we just drop them as a supplier and pick up someone else?”
“That’s the next item on my agenda. Sara in Quality Control is looking for someone else to supply our needles and syringes, and once she’s found some promising leads, she’ll perform the necessary testing,” KC paused and looked at him. “Give her whatever support she needs on this. Normally I’d do that, but since I won’t be here,” she trailed off and her lips turned down.
He placed a couple of fingers under her chin, hating to see her looking so sad. “KC, you know this is only for eight months. You’ll be back before you know it,” he declared, wanting to reassure her. Wanting to hold her. Wanting to kiss her.
But then, those were all normal desires.
“I know. I just hate everything I’m piling on everyone, especially you.” Tears welled up in her gorgeous aqua eyes.
Not able to withstand those glistening gems, he leaned over, plucked her off her chair, and placed her in his lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he felt her hot tears against that place where his neck and shoulder joined. He wrapped her tighter against him and just held on until the storm passed.
He tried to memorize her warm weight on his lap. He couldn’t remember ever holding her like this before, but he didn’t want to miss any part of the moment. The time he had to savor and memorize experiences like this one were dwindling fast.
Another thought beckoned. He liked having her right where she was. Just as he suspected, KC fit perfectly.
Smoothing her hair from her face, he whispered into her ear, “KC, I want to do this. You know that. I don’t like the idea of you going, but I do understand why you have to.”
She hiccupped and pulled away to look into his eyes. “You don’t like that I’m going?”
Pursing his lips Max shook his head firmly. “I hate the idea of you possibly getting hurt or worse, but I’m also man enough to admit that.” He grinned wryly at her. “You’re also trained for this. So why shouldn’t you go? Just because I don’t like it?” He shook his head and tugged her closer.
He thought she must have felt him swallow because her arms tightened and she pushed her face into his neck. Max closed his eyes, memorizing it all, inhaling a little deeper to keep her scent in his brain. Wanting so much more, and knowing now wasn’t the time. Maybe never would be the time, but now definitely didn’t work.
“I’m sorry to be such a cry baby,” she mumbled against his ear and he heard her sniff. Leaning forward, but keeping a firm grip on her, he snagged some tissues and pressed them into her hand.
“Thanks.” He felt her fumbling around her face, her position on his lap making the angle awkward. But KC didn’t pull away from him. She stuffed the used tissues into her pocket and wrapped her arm around him again.
“You’re welcome,” he said huskily and realized he had to get her off his lap. Soon. Her warm weight, scent, and the feel of her curves against him were engaging in a definite conversation with his man’s body. And while he liked the conversation, he didn’t think she would, so he eased her breasts away from his chest and tried to breathe shallowly.
“We need to get back to business,” she said and brushed a hand through his hair. “Thanks for weathering that with me,” she whispered and wiggled off his lap.
“Any time,” he whispered back.
“Give me a moment, hmmm?”
“Sure.” Since he needed a moment too. He watched her hastily leave the room. She returned a little while later and he saw she must have splashed some water on her face. Droplets ensnared in her hair reflected the light and he caught his breath.
Even after a crying session, KC Gilmore was still the most beautiful woman he had ever met. And his arms felt empty when she settled into her own chair. He leaned forward, wanting to catch another whiff of her scent. Wanting to repeat that conversation their bodies had been enjoying earlier.
Even though that way led nowhere, he still didn’t mind torturing himself a bit longer.
*****
They managed to finalize most of their business arrangements by the end of the week. KC signed all the necessary papers to give him power of attorney and authority over her financial and work decisions, and most importantly, Max became Ryan’s legal guardian for the time she would be gone.
Especially in the event she didn’t return.
A thought neither spoke out loud. KC contained her emotions since her meltdown with him, and worked through everything, with an aplomb he admired. He hadn’t any additional reasons to pull her into his arms again, but there was a new warmth in her eyes, a sort of longing she developed whenever she looked at him.
He didn’t put much stock in the look though, because he caught the same expression whenever she watched Ryan or Spuds. Like she was making memories to take with her.
Max understood her reasoning, because he caught himself doing the same thing. He desperately needed to capture every scent, every look, every laugh, every precious smile. He wanted to feel her in his arms again. Even though her job wouldn’t place her on the front line of battle, it didn’t matter.
KC was still going to war.
And war always produced casualties. He had no guarantee KC Gilmore wouldn’t be counted among them. That thought kept him awake some nights. Or woke him up, panicked and sweaty, and sent him down the hall to anxiously peer into her room to make certain she was all right. But there was nothing he could do to stop her from going.
The woman he loved was going to leave him. Perhaps for good. And he couldn’t rouse the courage to tell her how he really felt about her. Much less stop her from going.