When is a first kiss not a first kiss?
I call this cute scene from A THANKFUL HEART — my friend Melissa McClone’s new Love at the Chocolate Shop a “near miss.” I think you’ll agree it’s just too charming to miss on a technicality.
Snippet © Tule Publishing:
“I should let you get back to your father.”
“I’ll walk you to the door.” Bryce didn’t want to say goodnight. Not yet.
“This isn’t Seattle.”
“I know.” He got out of his truck and met her on the sidewalk. “But if Marietta didn’t have any crime, there wouldn’t be a police department.”
She narrowed her gaze. “Is everyone who lives in a big city this paranoid?”
“Not paranoid. Cautious.”
Bryce followed her up the steps. The wood creaked beneath his feet. Paint was peeling, but the structure looked solid. He’d love to see the inside, but his father was waiting at home.
The porch light bathed Dakota in a soft glow. Beautiful.
She looked up at him. “Thanks again for the ride.”
“Anytime.” And surprisingly, he meant it. “Though I doubt you’ll take me up on it again.”
Dakota raised her chin. “You never know.”
No, you don’t.
What Bryce knew was he wanted to do was kiss her. He didn’t know Dakota, but something about her appealed to him in a way he’d never felt. She captivated him.
Maybe it was the way she nurtured those around her. Or maybe it was her sense of humor that kept him off guard at unexpected times. Or maybe it was the easy way she’d forgiven him and accepted his apology.
His gaze traveled from her eyes to her lips.
Soft lips. The kind made for long, hot kisses.
His temperature shot up. His collar tightened.
Bryce wanted to kiss her, but that wasn’t why he was here. He straightened. “Keep us posted on what Lori says.”
Dakota stuck the key in the door. “Will do. Thanks again for the ride.”
She opened the door.
Something covered in fur bounded out and landed against him. He cringed, but this time the fight or flight response didn’t kick in. His muscles, however, tensed into hard knots. He hadn’t been prepared for another greeting from the beast, he managed not to be knocked backwards, but licking ensued.
More this time.
Bryce cringed. He really didn’t like big dogs. A good thing his dad kept hand sanitizer in the glove box.
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A Thankful Heart is available now!
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Happy reading, my friends,
Deb
