LITTLE BIT STRONGER | A COUNTRY ROMANCE

Chapter Twenty-Five

The next morning, Kate awoke before dawn from a dream that left her hot, shaky, and out of breath.

Josh...

Every moment spent together, the man was sinking deeper into her mind and drastically affecting her body.

The sensations he inspired weren't new. He'd invaded her dreams after their first night of dancing and talking. Being held, feeling him move against her, had worked her up in ways she hadn't felt in years.

It was the primary reason she'd avoided him after.

Fear was a new emotion for Kate. It didn't sit well on a woman who'd always gone after what she wanted and took calculated risks for the right payoff.

Years of compromising when she didn't agree to the reasons and giving in when she wanted to fight had altered more than her marital dynamic.

She felt emotionally weaker than she used to be.

Pushing back the covers, she got out of bed. She could hear Kyle and Josh talking softly in the living room. Her son wasn't a morning person and they were doing their best to get him into his Scout uniform.

In the bathroom, she peed, washed her face, and brushed her teeth. Piling her unruly hair on her head and clipping it, she went out to help her night owl brother get his nephew ready to go.

Josh's eyes tracked down her entire body in pajama shorts and tank top before returning to her face. "Good morning, Kate."

"You're a morning person," she remarked cheerfully.

Josh winked. "The cows give me no choice but I like getting a jump on the day. I go to bed stupidly early."

She did her best to tamp down the sudden need to rub her body against a man who managed to look good at every hour of the day.

Instead, she greeted her cranky son, smoothed Caleb's hair, and left a kiss on his forehead. He leaned against her thigh with a yawn.

"This young man loves to sleep late." She crossed her eyes. "We struggle on school mornings."

Kyle rubbed his hand over his face with a growl. "Oh my lord, can the two of you have this conversation later? I haven't even had coffee yet."

Laughing, Kate walked into her kitchen and turned on the Keurig. Removing one of her many travel mugs from the cabinet, she made her brother a cup of coffee.

He practically snatched it from her. "Thank god."

Making another for Josh, she walked them to the door. Kyle held his coffee with both hands like someone was going to take it from him.

Josh carried Caleb's Scout bag over one shoulder and took a long sip of his own coffee. "Perfect."

Kneeling, Kate held her son's shoulders. "Have fun. I'll see you tomorrow night. I love you."

"'Kay. Love you, Mommy."

To Kyle, she said, "Call me if you need me."

Josh winked. "I'll call you later and we can work out a time for tonight." He bent to kiss her cheek.

She watched Josh put the bag in the back of Kyle's car and help Caleb buckle up. With a salute, he climbed up in the cab of his truck.

Both vehicles drove away a minute later. Kate locked up and considered making herself a cup of coffee.

Instead, she cleaned the entire apartment.

Working room by room, she dusted and shined every surface. She spent some time reorganizing Caleb's clothing and taking stock of what he needed.