They moved along the sidewalk and when they reached his truck, he opened the passenger door and she climbed in.
The drive to the farmhouse was quick so neither said anything. She’d been preoccupied with her thoughts. He seemed to be also. He slid out and came around to open her door.
For the first time in a long time, she knew clearly what she wanted.
“Come inside. I want you with me tonight,” she said brazenly.
“Is that really what you want?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
“What about your aunt and Phoebe?”
“Pedora is in Petersburg and Phoebe left. We’re alone.”
She grabbed her purse and exited the truck. When her feet hit the ground, she felt a little unsteady. She hurried along the sidewalk to the house. His footsteps thudded behind her. Bythe time she was inside, she had to catch her breath. Knowing what they were about to share made her a ball of excitement.
She set her purse on the table and Bear remained near the closed door.
“Have you changed your mind?” she asked.
He shook his head. “No.”
“Come.” She slid off her shoes and made her way into the kitchen.
The kitten snaked his way around her ankles. She poured some food into a small plate. He still ate like he couldn’t get enough.
“You name him yet?” Bear leaned a shoulder against the doorframe.
“I think so.Sammich.”
“Sammich?” he chuckled.
[2]
“That’s because he likes to steal my sandwiches when I’m not looking.” She gave Sammich a scratch behind the ears. “I believe he likes the name.”
Bear leaned against the counter near her. He folded his arms over his chest and his biceps looked like they could burst the seams of the t-shirt sleeves.
Her gaze automatically fell to the quarter size intricate moon on his wrist covered in protective gel. It wasn’t big by any means, but the meaning was huge. The sun on her own wrist caught her attention. It was a promise to herself that there were brighter days ahead. She was tired of lugging around the past like a stained, dirty mirror that she had to look through every day.
The pelting of the rain against the tin roof, which had always been one of her favorite sounds, was the only because neither of them were speaking. She wondered if he was second guessing things. He was so quiet.
Then his gaze was on her. Brooding. Pensive. There was energy between them, reminding her of a train coming closer, the tracks vibrating in warning.
He took a step, pulled her to his chest and wrapped his arms around her waist. She looked at him right in the eye, feeling the strong connection between them.
He lowered his mouth to hers, his tongue sliding in and staking claim. The heat from their bodies made her pulse quicken and at some point, she couldn’t tell if she heard the rhythmic patter of the rain or the beating of her heart. She had no idea how much she’d been hiding the draw between them, how she’d denied herself the pure pleasure he could offer. She couldn’t find one iota of rejection or reason to reject him.
Bear lifted her and carried her to the couch, laying her down with a gentleness she wasn’t expecting. As he lay down too his body pressed against hers. She found the hem of his shirt pulling it over his head and discarding it to the floor. Aasia needed to feel his bare skin. She needed to explore him.
She planted kisses on his chest, over his taut skin, flicking her nails against his flat nipples. He sucked in a tight breath and pulled back slightly. “What?” she looked up at him.
“Wait a moment.”
Dropping her head against the throw pillow with the words “Home Sweet Farm” embroidered on the front, she stared up at him in disbelief. “Wait? For what?”
“I’m going to explode before we even get started. That would be a knock to the ego.” His gaze spoke of genuine concern.
