CHAPTER 13

Carmen worked side by side with Rafe in the kitchen putting leftovers away and doing dishes. It was nice to have him in there, especially after the conversation she’d had with him about how little her ex had done to help around the house. Not that there was any comparison. Rafe had proved that earlier today. He’d busted his ass doing things she’d never even asked him to do. Which was ten times the amount of work her ex had ever done around the house.

She hadn’t intended to blurt out her past to Rafe in such detail. She hadn’t intended to tell him anything. But she’d been so relaxed at dinner, and then he’d told her all about his parents, and he’d commiserated about her mom and her abuela, and before she knew it, all the details of her marriage had come spilling out.

He had taken it well. He hadn’t bolted or told her she was an idiot for marrying so young, or choosing the wrong guy or not waiting until she knew him better, which was what her grandpa had told her when she’d gotten engaged after only six months. But she’d been in love—or so she’d thought—and at the time, she’d been convinced Tod was the right guy.

She’d been so wrong.

But that was in the past, and she didn’t linger there very often, because she couldn’t change what was. She could only be sure she didn’t make the same mistakes again.

Like buying new fancy underwear and thinking you’re going to have sex with this guy? Those kinds of mistakes, Carmen?

She needed to shut up her inner voice, because it was really beginning to annoy her.

But yeah, maybe. Though her situation with Rafe wasn’t at all like it had been with her ex. First, she was much older now. Second, she’d already known Rafe longer than she’d known Tod. And third, they weren’t dating or having sex or rushing into anything, certainly nothing like love and marriage.

So her inner voice could suck it.

And now he’d grabbed a wet paper towel and cleaning spray and was wiping down her table.

Could the man be any hotter? It was time she took advantage of what was right in front of her.

She finished wiping off the kitchen counter, then washed and dried her hands. Rafe tossed the towel in the trash and came over to her.

“I think that’s everything,” he said, looking around the kitchen.

“Not quite everything.”

He glanced down at her. “What else do you need?”

She raised up on her toes and cupped the back of his neck. “You.”

She brought his head down, and he obviously caught the drift of what she was after, because he scooped his arm around her waist and pushed her against the kitchen island. His mouth met hers in a mix of expelled breaths and tangled tongues and fiery-hot passion that nearly melted her toes to the tile floor.

This kiss—this kiss was everything she’d imagined it to be. His lips were soft, yet demanding, promising her a passion she so desperately needed.

Rafe lifted her—with one arm—onto the kitchen island. She wrapped her legs around his hips, and he stepped into her, his hot body making contact with hers. As the kiss deepened, Carmen felt an explosion of heat as his lips molded to hers.

Dulce Dios ten piedad, the man had incredibly soft lips. And he knew what to do with his mouth, making her wonder what else he could do with it—and where.

She was on fire, and as he began an expert exploration of her back with his fingers, she couldn’t wait to touch him, to taste him, to—

She heard the garage door, effectively dousing the fire of passion that had flamed up between them.

Rafe must have heard it, too, because he quickly pulled her off the kitchen island.

“I’m going to need to slip into the bathroom for a few seconds,” he said.

She looked down, supremely disappointed she wasn’t going to be able to play with his sizable erection.

She blew out a breath then nodded. “Okay.”

She was flushed, hot and sweaty and needy, so she stepped to the sink and turned on the cold water, running it over her wrists in the hopes it would cool down the heat burning her from the inside out.

“Oh, you’re home.” Her grandfather used his walker to slowly make his way inside, followed by his friend Theo. “And why’s it so bright in here?”

“Rafe did some work around here today,” Carmen said after she shut the water off. She turned and smiled at him. “And then I fixed him dinner.”

“Oh, Rafe’s here?” her grandfather asked.

“Yes. He’s in the bathroom.”

“Great.”

Rafe came out of the bathroom. “Hey, Jimmy. Hi, Theo.”

“Rafe,” Jimmy said, offering up a smile. “Carmen said you did some work around here today. Did she put you on laundry duty, or do I have you to thank for the brightness in the kitchen?”

Rafe laughed. “No laundry. I put LEDs in here.”

Jimmy nodded. “Looks great, doesn’t it, Theo?”

Theo looked around. “Gonna need my shades on for poker nights.”

“We also got a new kitchen faucet,” Carmen said. “And wait ’til you see what Rafe did in your shower, Grandpa.”

“Oh yeah?”

They followed her grandfather as he made his way into the bathroom. Carmen turned on the shower, and Jimmy stared up at the rainfall showerhead.

“Hot damn.”

“You also have a handheld to use yourself.”

Jimmy turned around and shook Rafe’s hand. “Thanks for doing this. I don’t know why you did, but I sure appreciate it.”

“Your showerhead was crap. It needed changing. My treat.”

“Thanks, kid. I’m gonna enjoy the hell out of my next shower.”

“Hey, Rafe, you wanna come over and check out my house?” Theo asked. “I’ve got a few fixtures that need replacing. I’m sure my wife won’t mind.”

Rafe laughed and grasped Theo’s shoulder as they all made their way back into the living room. “Sure, Theo. Anytime.”

“No way,” Jimmy said. “He’s my personal handyman now.”

“And your personal handyman is heading home. I’ve got some laundry to do before I head on shift tomorrow.”

“Sure,” Jimmy said. “Thanks again, Rafe.”

“I’ll . . . walk you out. I’ll be right back, Grandpa.”

Carmen stepped outside with Rafe. “I’m really sorry about my grandfather’s terrible timing.”

Rafe shrugged. “Don’t worry about it. There’ll be another time.”

Even now, he was kind about their make-out session getting interrupted. She wanted to kiss him right there, but she knew if she did, she wouldn’t stop.

“So, I’ll see you later?” she asked.

He nodded and smiled. “Yeah. Later, Carmen.”

As she watched him head across the lawn toward his house, the feeling of loneliness crept over her for the first time in a very long time.

She walked inside and shut the door.