“Hey, can I ask you a question?” He interrupted her happy thoughts.
“Sure. Anything.”
“I just want to be ready. When I came to see you last Sunday, I asked José why he didn’t call me when you were sick. I know you were mad at me, so I get it. But, I was really wondering about something he said. He said that I was a fool if I didn’t think Ingrid knew what was going on between us. So, I was just wondering…”
“…what I said to her.”
He nodded, and she noticed his fingers gripping then re-gripping the steering wheel.
“Okay,” she swallowed. “Well, you know you hurt me that night, Erik. I was sad when I got home. Ingrid’s one of my best friends. And family…”
“It’s okay. Whatever you said, I deserved it. Just tell me what to expect.”
Kat sighed, shifting uncomfortably in her seat. “I said you were a commitment-phobe and that we were essentially dating but you wouldn’t admit it. I said I knew you had feelings for me but that you were acting like a jackass. I believe I called you pig-headed and I may have called you a coward.” Her voice got smaller as she continued. “I may have told her it was over between us.”
Erik glanced at her, eyes wide, then turned back to the road, rubbing his jaw uneasily with his thumb and forefinger. Hearing the word over must have hurt, because he winced. “Didn’t leave much to her imagination, huh?”
She swallowed again, hating this, hating herself for running to Ing with her pain and not giving Erik a chance to come around first. “I-I was hurt. I was embarrassed. And sad. How could I know you’d be able to change for me?”
He put his right hand down on the bolster between them. She covered it with her own, curling her fingers until they touched his palm and he curled his over hers. She ran her thumb gently back and forth over the top of his wrist.
“I’m sorry for hurting you, Kat.”
“I know you are.” She squeezed his hand. “I’m sorry too, Erik. I ratted you out to Ing.”
He pulled her hand to his lips, and kissed it softly, then put both hands back on the wheel.
“Is she pretty mad?” he asked.
“She wasn’t thrilled.”
“Have you talked to her this week?”
“I have.”
“And?”
“I told her how sweet you were when I was sick and how we got things back on track.”
“And?”
“She advised extreme caution where you are concerned.”
“Uh-huh.” Erik nodded slowly, eyes on the road. “And your brother?”
She didn’t answer.
“Kat?” He glanced over at her, and she was cringing, shoulders dropped forward as she worried her hands on her lap. “Katrin, what about Kristian?”
“He’s very protective,” she mumbled.
Erik had been holding his breath and blew it out in a loud, exasperated sigh.
“Well.” He glanced over at her, his face aggressively sardonic. “This should be just great.”
Chapter 14
They had passed Kalispell, driven through Columbia Falls and were skirting the northern border of Flathead National Forest when Erik spoke again.
“We’re coming up on Lake McDonald. Want to get out and walk around a little? Stretch our legs?” Put off the inevitable moment when Ing gives me the stink-eye and Jenny has a lecture waiting?
“Sure. It’s only five-thirty. We’re making good time.”
“What’s on the agenda for tonight? I mean, other than Kristian’s fist attempting a connection with my jaw.”
“He wouldn’t!” She gasped, putting her hand over her mouth.
He might. Erik shrugged. Though he was a capable fighter when pushed, Erik would let Kristian get one good punch in. He deserved it. After that, however, Kris should back off, or Erik would fight back.
“He wouldn’t, Erik. He knows we’re together now.”
She was so trusting, so lovely and sweet and fine it made his heart ache. “Don’t worry about it, Ӓlskling.”
“I won’t forgive him if he hurts you.”
He glanced at her and grinned, turning into a parking area. “It’ll be okay.”
It was suddenly so quiet in the car, and they were the only car in the parking lot. Without the pressure to drive safely, there was only one thing he wanted to do.
He took her hand, turning it until her wrist faced him and he pressed his lips to the beating pulse there, closing his eyes against the delicate flutter beneath his lips, and then pulled her toward him, brushing his lips lightly across hers. His hands moved to cup her face lovingly, taking her upper lip between his, nipping and sucking on it gently before running his tongue lightly against the seam of her lips. She opened them and he found the tip of her tongue waiting to meet his, making the hairs on his arm stand up and the blood rush to his groin. He heard a growling sound rumble up from his throat as he moved his hands from her face down her arms to her waist, gripping to pull her closer, frustrated by the bolster between them. He finally released her lips, resting his forehead against hers as he tried to catch his breath.
“Where are you sleeping tonight?” The words were out of his mouth before he could stop them.
She leaned back to look at him, her
