“I’ll always deny that I kissed her.I was just whispering into her mouth.”

“I wasn't just kissing you. I was also whispering in your mouth.”

“He kissed my cheek and then sucked my earlobe into his mouth. When he withdrew, he whispered, “I’ll let you go, but only if you promise to be mine tomorrow.”It was with a voice that I’d never used before that I admitted what I couldn’t deny. “I’m pretty much yours every day.”

“Livia grinned. He peeled his attention from the sizzling meal and put his hands on the counter behind her, trapping her.Livia held her spatula as Blake whispered in her ear. “I see us just like this a hundred years from now, old and deaf. I’ll be the luckiest man.”Emotion caught her—this was all she wanted. Simple, beautiful frittata moments with this man.“Someday, Livia, I’ll be man enough to buy the food,” he continued. “I’ll give you an oven. I’ll try so hard.”Livia leaned up and stopped his proclamations with her lips. After tender kisses, she gave her mouth enough room to promise back. “Blake, I’ll never care if I have an oven. Just you.”

“Minor detail. I’m going to kiss you, Marlie—”“I’ll bite you again,” she swiftly warned.He shrugged. “I always have had more guts than sense,” he said, and very gently brushed her mouth withhis.”

“He didn't just kiss, he claimed ownership. Took her mouth with urgency, as if his life depended on his kissing her.”