“Here, babe. I even added a scoop of vanilla ice cream.” He sets a plate in front of me, and my mouth waters.

“This is way too much.” I pick up my fork and dig in. “But oh my God, it’s so good,” I moan around a mouthful.

“You can’t say no to Maize’s cookin’.”

“Spending years eatin’ all this delicious food hasn’t been great for my hips.” My eyes land on his. “Meanwhile, you eat twice as much as me and look like…that.”

“Physical labor, baby. Gotta eat to sustain the energy to hustle for twelve hours a day.”

“I still can’t wrap my head around how everyone works such long hours, rain or shine.”

He shrugs casually, taking a large bite of his cobbler. “Bishop genes, I guess. Dad and Mom had us shoveling shit before preschool.”

I burst out laughing. “I doubt that, but I can’t deny y’alls’ work ethic is impressive,” I admit, taking a bite of ice cream.

“You work hard and long too, Hads. Don’t discredit what you do. Being a nurse is admirable, and there’s no way I could do it. I’d probably faint trying to poke a needle in someone’s veins.”

My cheeks heat at the tender way he looks at me. Kane’s always been so damn sweet and knows exactly what to say and when.

Once we’re finished eating, he puts up our dirty plates and tells his uncle John goodbye. Then he grabs my hand and walks me to my Jeep. “Follow me to my place? We can talk and watch a movie.”

“Yeah, that sounds perfect,” I say.

Then he brings my hand to his lips and kisses my knuckles.

Ten minutes later, I’m standing in Kane’s living room, like I have countless times before, but now it feels different.

“Hads, you look nervous.”

I blink up at Kane, heat covering my cheeks.

“This is new territory for us,” I explain, my heart pounding hard. “My mind is reeling.”

“Maybe I can help ya out.” The corner of his lips tilts up as he wraps a hand around my neck and threads his fingers through my hair. My head falls back as his mouth captures mine, and I sink into his warmth.

Kane snakes an arm around my waist, pulling me flush against him, and I moan as he glides his tongue inside. The kiss deepens, turning hot and eager as I fist his shirt. He’s a master with his mouth, and I can’t deny the way it sends shivers through my body.

Without breaking contact, he slides his hands to my ass and lifts me. I wrap my legs around him and feel his erection poking into my stomach as he moves us to the couch. As I press harder into him, he growls.