What followed was nothing short of chaos.Pumpkin guts flew through the air as we chased each other around the kitchen, laughing like children.Pete followed, barking like a loon.I ducked behind the island, using it as cover while I prepared my next attack.Carter's deep chuckle echoed through the room as he tried to sneak up on me.
“Come out, come out, wherever you are,” he called in a singsong voice.
I popped up to ambush him, only to find him much closer than I'd anticipated.My handful of pumpkin smeared across his jaw as he wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me flush against him.
We were both breathing hard, covered in seeds and orange slime.I couldn't remember the last time I'd laughed this much.Carter's eyes crinkled at the corners as he grinned down at me, and my heart did a little flip.
“You've got a little something,” he murmured, reaching up to brush a strand of hair from my face.His touch was gentle as he tucked it behind my ear, his fingers lingering on my skin.
The laughter faded, replaced by something heavier, more electric.Carter's gaze dropped to my lips, then darted back to my eyes.
I sucked in a shaky breath, hyper-aware of every point of contact between us.Carter's arm around my waist, his chest pressed against mine, the warmth of his breath fanning across my face.My hands rested on his shoulders, and I felt the solid strength of him beneath my palms.
“Carter,” I whispered, not even sure what I wanted to say.
He leaned in closer, our noses almost touching.“Yeah?”
My heart thundered in my ears.I wanted to kiss him, to close that final bit of distance between us.But a part of me hesitated, still afraid of how quickly and deeply I was falling for this man.
Carter must have sensed my struggle because he didn't push.Instead, he smoothed his thumb across my cheek, wiping away a smear of pumpkin.
“You're beautiful,” he said.“Even covered in pumpkin guts.”
I snorted, relieved at the break in tension.“You sure know how to sweet-talk a girl.”
“What can I say?I'm a romantic at heart.”
“Is that so?And here I thought you were just a grumpy architect with a secret soft spot for dogs.”
Carter's eyes roamed my face, like he was trying to memorize every tiny feature.“I've got a soft spot for more than just dogs these days.”
I swear I stopped breathing.We'd been dancing around our feelings for weeks, neither of us quite ready to put a label on whatever was growing between us.But in that moment, with pumpkin in my hair and Carter's arms around me, I felt brave.
“Yeah?”I purred.“Tell me more about that.”
He tiled his head to one side, pretending to think.“Well, there's this amazing woman I know.She's got the biggest heart, the most infectious laugh.She talks to dogs in silly voices and makes the best apple pie I've ever tasted.”
My cheeks warmed.“She sounds pretty great.”
“Oh, she is.And the craziest part?She seems to like me back, grumpiness and all.”
“Maybe she sees past the grumpy exterior to the marshmallow underneath.”
“Marshmallow?I'll have you know I'm very tough and manly.”
“Uh-huh.”I nodded solemnly.“The toughest, manliest marshmallow there ever was.”
We stared at each other for a beat.Carter lifted a hand and cradled my cheek, running his thumb over my bottom lip.“What am I going to do with you, Sunny?”he murmured.
I tilted my chin up, our lips a hairsbreadth apart.“I've got a few ideas.”
Carter's eyes darkened, and a thrill of anticipation ran through me.
Without warning, he lifted me and sat me on the kitchen table, sending pumpkin pieces flying.The bowls and utensils clattered to the floor as our kisses became heated and urgent.
“You're wearing too many clothes.”His hands found the hem of my shirt and pulled it over my head, tossing it aside.His fingers fluttered down my sides, leaving goosebumps in their wake.
“Much better.But still not enough.”He made quick work of my bra, unhooking it with practiced ease.As it fell away, he cupped my breasts in his large hands, thumbs flicking at my hardened nipples.My back bowed as I leaned into his touch, a soft moan escaping my lips.
