An accidental kiss…

“Want some help?” Amara asked.

“I don’t want to impose.”

Time with Rafael Hunter? “Hand me a rag.”

“You can put your purse down inside first.”

“Okay, thanks.” It threw her off that a guy would think about that, but then again, this one did live for fashion. She went inside, immediately taken in by all the nice clothes displayed.

Amara looked down at her own clothes, which were nowhere near as nice. She felt like that dorky kid again. There was definitely no way her feelings would be reciprocated. She set her plain-Jane purse on an empty table and hurried back outside.

“There are several rags in the bucket,” Rafael said, not looking up from scrubbing.

She stuck her hand in the warm, bubbly water and found one. She squeezed the excess water and then scrubbed the dried egg nearest her. It came off pretty easily.

“How’d you do that?” Rafael asked.

“What?”

“Get it off so quickly. I’ve been out here forever, and I haven’t been able to do that.”

Amara shrugged. “I just scrubbed. Like this.” She moved to the next egg splotch and removed it.

“Wow.”

“It’s nothing.” She didn’t want to say she had plenty of experience cleaning messes. He was the kind of guy who probably hired people to clean for him. Amara had always dreamed of the day she would make enough to get a housekeeper and not have to do so much cleaning herself.

Rafael scrubbed the one he was working on again, but didn’t make any progress.

“Try going at it from an angle like this,” she said, showing him. “And then use some elbow grease.”

He looked down at the cleaning products next to the bucket. “Is that one of the spray bottles?”

Amara held in a laugh. He was adorable. “No. I just mean to really work it. It’s going to take some strength.”

“Oh. I get it.” He appeared embarrassed, but he smiled. His entire face lit up.

Butterflies danced in Amara’s stomach. “It’s just an expression my parents use.”

She went back to work, removing more of the gunk. Rafael still hadn’t gotten the one spot.

He glanced over, catching her stare. “You think I’m an idiot, don’t you?”

Her eyes widened in surprise. “What? No. Maybe I can I help you?”

“Sure.” He shrugged.

Amara’s heart raced again. She dropped her rag and put her hand over his-she couldn’t believe how soft it felt. Most women would be jealous. Part of her wanted to ask him for skin care tips. “Oh, gosh,” she said. “Your rag is nearly dry. You have to dip in the soapy water every so often.”

Color filled his cheeks. “Right.” He dipped it in and pulled it out, water streaming down.

“You can wring it out and it won’t do that,” she said.

“You must think I’m pampered.” He twisted the rag and then went back to the spot he’d been working.

“Never. We all have to learn. Believe it or not, I wasn’t born knowing how to clean.” Her pulse felt afire as she put her hand back over his. “Try it at this angle.” She pressed her hand into his, helping him remove the spot. It was hard to focus. She was so aware of how close he was.

In a way, it reminded her of all the times she’d shared a desk with him in school. But even then, they hadn’t been this close. She could smell his cologne and their sides touched.

He didn’t seem at all bothered by it-not that she was bothered by his touch. After the spot was cleaned, he moved over and dipped the rag into the bucket. “Let’s see if I can do this next one on my own.”

“I have faith in you,” she teased.

Rafael gave her a funny look. It appeared to be a mixture of embarrassment and determination. “Thanks.” He scrubbed, removing the egg faster than even she had.

“See?” Amara asked. “I told you. It just takes some muscle, and you obviously have more than I do.” She took the opportunity to look over his muscles and nodded with approval.

Rafael’s lips curved upward and he flexed his muscles, making them bulge even more through his silk shirt.

Amara enjoyed the sight for a moment and then reached back into the bucket and found another rag. “Is that a challenge?” she teased. She squeezed out the excess water and then rubbed a spot on the window.

“Hey!” Rafael laughed and attacked another spot.

They cleaned furiously, laughing the whole time. Just before they were done, Amara splashed some suds on Rafael’s face, careful to avoid his nice shirt.

“Oh, yeah?” he asked, his eyes gleaming. He scooped up a handful of bubbles and held them up, his eyes narrowing but his mouth grinning devilishly.

Amara’s mouth dropped open. She squealed and ducked just Rafael threw the suds. They splashed onto the door behind her. Amara glanced back and laughed. She turned, and just as she made eye contact with Rafael a big glob of foam splashed onto her whole face.

She froze, surprised.

“Oh, no,” Rafael said. “I’m so sorry.” But he was laughing. It was a beautiful sound.

Amara laughed, too. “It’s okay.” She wiped some of the bubbles off, flinging them onto the ground. Luckily none had gotten into her eyes, or that would have been trouble for her contacts.

“Let me help you with that.” Rafael stepped closer and wiped more of the suds from her eyes to her jawline. His hands lingered near her cheeks, almost cupping her face.

Amara’s breath caught and they stared into each other’s eyes. Swallowing, she reached up and wiped some soap from his stubble.

Neither spoke, and Amara’s heart pounded so loudly she thought it would explode out of her chest.

Rafael leaned closer-so close she could smell mint on his breath. Her eyes widened, her skin on fire. He paused, still staring into her eyes.

Amara’s hand slid on his face, scratching against the start of his five o’clock shadow. He moved his hands down and cupped her chin, brushing his lips against hers. His lips were soft, his kiss gentle. She smelled hints of ginger and sandalwood on his skin.

Amara breathed deeply, finally overcoming the shock. She prepared herself to return the kiss.

Rafael pulled away, his eyes wide. “I’m so sorry, Amara. I shouldn’t have done that.”

She opened her mouth to protest.

“I wasn’t thinking. That was really rude. I don’t want you to think I’m the kind of guy who forces myself on people like that.”

“I… I don’t think-“

“I need to put these supplies away. I’m supposed to meet someone.”

Realization washed over her that he regretted kissing her. Amara took a deep breath and stood tall, trying to cover her embarrassment.

“Accidents happen. I’ll see you around.”

“Uh, thanks for helping me clean the window. It was… fun.”

Fun. Right. Amara nodded. “Glad to help.” She ran inside, grabbed her ugly purse, and hurried past him before she could further humiliate herself.

CONTINUE READING…

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People change, but some feelings last forever.

Rafael Hunter never thought he’d return to Kittle Falls, but life gave him no other choice. Los Angeles chewed him up, spit him out, and sent him back to square one.

Amara Fowler has lived in the small beach town her entire life. She’s overcome her shyness to grow into the woman she always knew she could be, but she never forgot her secret crush. When the alluring Rafael returns, he can’t help but stir in her a whirlwind of old feelings.

They’ve both changed so much. Has life kept them incompatible or has it molded them into a matching set?

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