Page 63 of Grouch-ish

“Since you’re planning to be a certified fitness instructor, I was wondering if you could help me with my flexibility,” I flirt, running the tip of my finger up her arm.

“Is this another one of your weak pickup lines?” she flirts back.

“Do I need a pickup line?”

Pear shifts to her side, facing me. “You could still try to woo me.”

“Woo you?” I huff, good-natured.

“Lay it on thick. Let’s see what you got.”

“Okay.” I smirk. “Countdown on.”

“Countdown? Like when the clocks kept rolling into a new year?”

And I kissed her until we were both balls of sexual energy, ready to burst. I shake my head. “This is a countdown to all the things I cherish about you.”

Pear blinks in surprise. Game on.

“Have I told you how heavenly you are, Paradise?”

She rolls her eyes.

“How you’re like a ripe pear that needs to be savored.”

“Weak,” she mutters but a smile curls her mouth.

I shift, sitting upright to remove one of her thick socks and then the other. “How you might have once dressed like a dark turtle but you’re more like a white dove, offering peace, penance, and compassion.”

“Brock.” She laughs until her eyes catch on mine.

I crawl over her and reach for the hem of her shirt, removing her arms before tugging the sweater over her head. “You’re solid like a fence post.”

“A fence—”

I cut off her disgruntled sound with a finger over her lips. “Strong. Resilient. A survivor. You’ve stood up to a lot over the years, but tonight, I want you to relax. Let me be in charge.”

“Okay.” She swallows hard and licks her lips.

“Do you know what I thought when we stood beneath the stars and listened to the owls?”

Pear shakes her head on the pillow while I pull down her pants and tug a blanket over her cool skin.

“Who”—I coo—“is this woman and how can I win her over?” Win her heart.

I fold to my side beside her and prop up on my arm. Using my finger, I trace down her nose and around her eyes, before trailing over her lips.

“We have five senses and yet they aren’t enough. Not only do I want to taste and touch, see and smell and hear you, but I want to feel you. I want to be inside you.” I drag my finger over her heart and tap twice.

“Fireman,” she whispers the nickname with awe, but she has no idea the adoration I have for her. What she’s dealt with. What she’s overcome. I promised her I’d get some mental help, and I’ll hold to that vow. I want to work on me. I want to be better for her.

“Did you know there are six pleasure points on the body?” I lean forward for her mouth. “Here.” The kiss is only a sip as I have more areas to count on her body.

“And here.” I run my finger along the column of her throat, and she tips her head, allowing me to press another kiss there.

Tugging down the blanket I’d wrapped over her chest, I pluck at a taut nipple peaking underneath her bra. “Here too.” I move to the other breast to give that nipple a tweak as well.

Pear does not disappoint as she arches her back, as if desiring that I linger longer but I have more places to travel along her body.