Kyle's Modern Montana Bride (The New Montana Brides Book 6) by Susan Leigh Carlton

how it looks.”
    “You just want to see my hairy chest.”
    “That too,” she said.
    “Hey, don’t make me laugh, it hurts.”
    “I simply spoke the truth. If you choose to think it's funny, that’s your problem.” she said, smiling, as she unbuttoned the shirt.
    “She gasped. “ Oh my God, that’s horrible.”
    “My chest or the ribs,” he asked.
    “Now who’s being funny? There are visible bruises. I hate to think what it is like under the tape. When do you go back to have it retaped?”
    “The doc told me to come to Outpatient tomorrow, and they’ll take another picture.”
    A knock on the door, and a voice called out, “Room service.”
    “Saved by the bellhop,” Kyle said.
    Susannah went to the door, and let the bellhop in. “Just put it on the table,” said. She turned to Kyle, “Do you want me to sign for it?”
    “Go ahead, and add the tip in too.”
    The bellhop left, Susannah began removing the domes covering the food and Kyle took two plates from the cabinet by the sink.
    “Would milady like wine with her dinner?” he asked.
    “She would,” Susannah replied.
    “White or white. It’s all we have.”
    “I’ll take the white,” she said.
    “Excellent choice. I believe I will have the same.”
    Susannah put napkins by the plates, and sat down. Kyle found two wine glasses in the cabinet, and poured the wine. When he put her wine on the table, he put his hand under her chin and tilted her head upward, then leaned over and kissed her, a soft tender kiss.
    “Mm, that was nice,” she said.
    Kyle held his glass up, she did the same. “Here’s to good luck tomorrow. I pray it’s not him,” he toasted.
    “Hear! Hear!” she said softly.
    She had ordered a New York Strip with baked potato for him and a small filet with baked potato for herself. Each had a small salad.
    As they ate, Kyle said, “This is the first good food I’ve had since you fixed dinner the other night.”
    “It is good,” she said. “Maybe it’s the good company.”
    “I can’t remember when I’ve had better,” he said.
    “Why thank you, sir.”
    “I was talking about the food,” he said.
    “If you didn’t have broken ribs already, I would break a couple for you.” she said.
    “You’re making me laugh again. Have you no mercy?”
    “You started it,” she said.
    “Did not.”
    “Did too.”
    She stood and began rinsing the dishes and putting them in the dishwasher. Kyle touched her on the shoulder, and said, “Susannah?”
    She turned to face him and moved into his embrace. He kissed her on the lips, feeling the sparks of electricity shoot between them. She tightened her arms around him, and felt him tense. “I’m sorry, she said, and immediately stepped back. I hurt you, didn’t I?”
    “It was worth it,” he said.
    “I think that is about the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me,” she said.
    Sitting on the sofa, she asked, “Where are we going with this?”
    “Where would you like for it to go?”
    “There you go, answering a question with a question again,” she said.
    “I don’t want you to get hurt,” he said.”
    “Would you hurt me,” she asked.
    Certainly not on purpose,” he said.
    “Then let’s just see where it leads us.”
    He kissed her again. She parted her lip and the tip of his tongue touched hers. She responded eagerly as he explored the velvety interior. Soft moans escaped her throat, as he pulled back and kissed the tender skin where her neck joined her shoulders.
    “Whew, is it warm in here, or is it me?” she asked, fanning herself with her hand.
    “The temperature has definitely risen a bit,” he said.
    Her hands traced the outline of his face, as if she was memorizing it to be pulled out some time in the future. She leaned her head against his shoulder, and snuggled as close as she could. “You’re a good guy, Kyle.”
    “You’re not so bad, yourself. You’re the one that has taken care of my son all of these years.”
    “Zach’s a good guy