Page 95 of Finding Redemption

“You, too, brother.” Riley pats his back and winks at me. “She’s a keeper.”

“Yeah, she’s pretty damn amazing.” Walker slips his arm around my waist. We give a final wave before climbing into his truck. The ride home was quiet. His hand in mine, we sit and enjoy the simplicity of it all.

21

Our ride home was perfect. Neither of us felt the need to talk. It was easy, natural. I park at the corner of the building by Reese’s car. I turn to look at her, and she takes my breath away. Beauty like no other I’ve ever seen. She gazes at me, sending a chill over my body.

I jump from my truck, jogging around to her door. I jerk it open, taking her in my arms. I press a light kiss on her lips, blood coursing through my veins. “I’ll grab your bag. If you’re still staying?”

“It’s behind my seat.” She hands me her keys. I pop the lock, taking the bag in one hand, hitting the button to secure it before tugging her to my side.

“This way, I’ll unlock the door.” We hold onto each other as we walk to the back entrance. I hold the door for her and close it behind us. A turn of the key and I’m back to holding Reese. We take the stairs slowly, just taking the time to be in the here and now.

“Do you have plans to finish this out or did you mean you would be moving to a new place?” Her question hits me strangely, causing a pang in my stomach.

“I—I actually will build on the other side of Riley and Ava. Half the acreage is mine and I’ve always wanted a home there. Their home would be around two acres away. So, close but not so much that we’d have to see each other.” I laugh.

“That’s great. I can tell how much your family means to you.” She strokes my hand as we walk. The mere thought of Sallie opens the fissure in my soul further. Another one of my many failures.

“They do. I miss Sallie so much.” I can’t stop the tears pooling in my eyes. My heart thunders in my chest, and I struggle to breathe thinking of that day. I swing the door to my place wide, allowing Reese in before me. I fight to pull myself together.

Reese glances at me, and I know she can see it in my face. Her eyes flitter to the television. “Let’s watch a movie. Do you have popcorn?”

I don’t focus on any certain thing when I answer her. “I do. It’s not microwave.”

“Even better. Pick a movie and I’ll pop us some.” She runs her hand over my back and walks toward the kitchen.

I stand in front of the DVD player, not even seeing what’s in front of me. I blindly yank a disc out and insert it. I push start on the remote and follow Reese into the kitchen. “Smells good.” I open a cabinet and take out a large bowl.

“Two, please. I made a dessert popcorn.” Her mouth is lopsided with a grin. I set the bowls down, reaching for drinks from the fridge.

“What’d you make, beautiful?” I graze her shoulder, sweeping her hair into my hand.

“Chipotle Ranch and Cinnamon Sugar.” The corner of her mouth quirks up.

I tangle her hair in my hand, drawing her back to me. Her body heats at my side, fueling the need I have for her. I run my nose down her jaw, around her chin, to her lips. She gasps, giving me the opening I was about to make. I thrust my tongue in, swirling it with hers. She gives as much as I take. She’s everything.

I pull away, and she slowly pries her eyes open. “The movie’s on. Let’s eat,” I growl, nibbling her neck. “Then I’m going to eat you.” The heat her body was giving off explodes in her eyes. The fire in my belly ignites with want.

“Sounds like a plan.” She grabs a bowl, sashaying away from me. Her hips are hypnotic. I trail after like a good boy.

“I’d follow you anywhere.”

“Come here.” She curls her fingers, motioning me to her. I set the bowl on the table, along with my drink.

Reese wraps her arms around me, clutching me. We spin until she releases me. I’m caught off guard, losing my balance, dropping to the couch. She reaches down, yanking my shoes and socks off. “Ummm, raise up a little.” I do as I’m told. Besides, it puts her breasts in my face. I wasn’t going to complain. She unbuckles my belt, jerking it out in one fell swoop. “There, that’s better.” She shoves me back down.

“What about you?” I tilt my head, looking at her chest.

“I think that should stay on.” She wrinkles her nose. She nestles in next to me between the couch and my body. I put my arm around her, running my hand down her back. She leans forward for the popcorn, giving me my leeway.

She jumps, grabbing her chest as the hooks spring free. The straps immediately fall forward from the release of the tension. “There, now we’re even.”

Her mouth pops open. Finally relenting, she wrestles the straps through her shirt sleeves. Reese snakes her hand up the front of her shirt, yanking her black lace bra free. My nostrils flare as her nipples pebble from the loss of heat.

“Damn, that’s a sight to behold.”

“Such a freaking deviant.” She settles in before moving her hands.