Read Online Kiss Me by C. C. Wood - Free Book Online Page A

dirty.  He always stayed on target and never raised his voice.  When they were getting along, which was the norm, they had fun.  They laughed and played and just enjoyed each other’s company.   It was better than it had been before.
    That’s why Kaylie was a little freaked at his behavior tonight.  He was so quiet and distracted.  As dinner wound down, Jake remained quiet, but Blair and Kevin seemed even more upbeat and excited.  Kaylie grabbed Blair and dragged her to the restroom to “freshen up” while the men paid the check.
    While she touched up her make-up, Kaylie glanced at Blair out of the corner of her eye.
    “Blair, did Jake seem weird to you tonight?”
    She watched her friend hesitate as she swiped lip gloss on her lips.
    “I think he’s okay, Kaylie.  Kevin said things have been crazy for him at work, maybe he’s just tired.”
    Kaylie put her make-up back in her purse.  Blair was right, things had been hectic for him at work the last few weeks.  He had several open cases that he was working and he had been coming home late almost every night.
    “You’re right,” she sighed.  “He has been busy.  Maybe we should have cancelled for tonight.”
    Blair put an arm around her shoulders.  “Kay, honey, everything is fine.  Don’t make trouble where there is none.”
    Kaylie nodded.  “Okay.  Why don’t we get out of here?  I think I’m a little tired too.”
    They left the restaurant, but they were all quieter.  Jake wrapped an arm around Kaylie the entire ride home, which made her feel a bit better.  Blair was probably right.  He was tired.  Blair and Kevin turned down their offer of a nightcap and Kaylie had a feeling her friend was going to get lucky that night.  They waved as her brother drove away.
    Jake led her up the front walk and opened the door for her.  Kaylie walked into her house and stopped short.  Small candles burned on almost every surface and a bucket filled with ice and champagne stood on the coffee table next to two glasses.
    “What on earth?” she breathed.  It was like something out of a romance novel.   She whirled to look at Jake.  “How did you do this?”
    He closed the door behind him and locked it before he answered her.  “Your mom and one of the girls from the shop came over while we were out and set it all up.”
    “But why?”
    Jake came closer and cupped her shoulders with his hands.  “Kay, there’s something I want to talk about with you and all I ask is that you listen.”
    She nodded. 
    He smiled and ran his hands down her arms to lace his fingers with hers.  “ I know that you wanted to wait three months before we talked about anything permanent, but I just can’t.  The past six weeks have been the best of my life.  I know that I want what we have and I want you.  I love you, Kaylie.  I want to be married to you and I want to have babies with you.”  He lowered himself to one knee and Kaylie felt her breath catch.  “Do you want that with me Kaylie, a life, a family?”
    She blinked and swallowed hard.  She didn’t cry, dammit, even for a sweet, perfect proposal from the man she’d loved since she was eighteen.
    “Yes Jake, I want all that with you.”
    He grinned and rose, wrapping his arms around her and lifting her off her feet.  He pulled her head back and kissed her hard.
    When he lifted his head, she spoke.  “You’re so impatient, though.  You barely made it to the halfway point in the three months.”
    He laughed loud and long.  “You’re right, I am impatient.  I knew six weeks ago that I wanted you forever, but I also knew you needed time before you would trust me again.  I just couldn’t wait anymore.”
    Kaylie tucked her face into his neck.  “I’m glad.”
    “Oh, I almost forgot,” he said, reaching into his pocket.  He pulled out a small velvet box.  “Blair and I went shopping for your ring.  I wanted to take you, but I thought you’d be more likely to say yes if you saw the