Restoration by Kim Loraine Page B

wits.
    “How do you take your tea again, Jo . . . Drew?”
    A wave of humiliation rolled over her as she caught herself. She cringed and waited for his answer.
    “Sorry, what’s that?”
    A sigh of relief escaped her as she realized the kettle had still been whistling while she was talking.
    “I said, how do you take your tea?”
    “Oh, white please.”
    “I have no idea what that means,” she said as she brought him his steaming mug.
    Drew stared into his mug and chuckled. “Obviously.” He set the cup down and she looked at the mug of hot water with no actual tea in it.
    “Oh, God! I’m sorry. I’m such an idiot.”
    “It’s fine. I’m plenty warm now. I guess I’ll be going. I’ll leave you to Darcy and Elizabeth.” He motioned toward the TV.
    A sense of loss overtook her as Drew stood to leave.
    “You don’t have to leave. I really shouldn’t finish this bottle of wine by myself.”
    Drew chuckled softly and sat back down. “Well, never let it be said that Drew Tensley allowed a beautiful woman to drink alone.”
    Grabbing a second glass, she handed it to him. She sat down as he poured his and refilled hers. She took a nervous gulp and slowly started to calm down. They sat in awkward silence, drinking their wine, and looking at each other in turns.
    “Right, let’s just get this out of the way then,” Drew said as he downed the rest of his wine.
    His large hand took her drink and placed it on the coffee table as he turned to her. Her eyes were wide as she noticed his shaking hands and the determined expression on his face.
    “Drew?”
    He rapidly closed the gap between them, took her face in his hands and gently pressed his lips to hers. She melted into the feel of the kiss, inhaling the scent of his skin and hair. She could taste the wine on his mouth and opened her own to invite a deeper kiss. Drew tangled his hand in her hair and breathed a sigh as she allowed his tongue access to hers. Shifting on the couch until she was underneath him, Drew began to move his hands from her hair down her body. As his fingers reached the bare skin of her waist where her shirt had ridden up, she arched her back, pressing herself closer to him.
    Her skin felt feverish and she found her hands dancing over his body. She splayed her fingers across his muscular shoulders, then traced down his spine. She felt an overwhelming need to feel his skin rather than his sweater and began pulling the cloth up and out of the way.
    Drew broke their kiss to remove his sweater and she thanked him by reinstating her hands along his back. His skin was smooth and warm. He shivered at her touch and if she had any uncertainty of his interest, it disappeared as he pressed against her. She raised her hips to him in response and his breath hitched in his throat.
    Just as he lowered his lips for another kiss, the lights flickered once, then went completely out. The only light was the warm glow of the fireplace.
    “Grace,” he whispered against her lips.
    She ran her fingers through his mussed hair and looked up at him. “Drew?”
    “Is this too soon?”
    She chewed on her lip momentarily as she considered his question. It was too soon, she knew that. But he felt so good. His arms around her felt right and she’d been so alone for so long. “Well, I suppose it could be. I mean, we barely know each other.”
    His face fell slightly.
    “But, we’re both adults. We know what we’re getting into.” She paused, considering. “Do you think it’s too soon?”
    “I can’t tell. I just know that my head is full of you. I think of you all the time. I can’t stop.” His eyes were steady on hers. “I’ve never been so consumed with another person. Every time someone comes into the shop I hope it’s you. I walk around town just hoping to happen upon you.” He dropped his head into the crook of her neck. “I think I’ve been waiting for you.”
    The honesty of his admission should have scared her. The words too much, too soon