Page 184 of Made Better Together

“I think so.”

“Come here.”

I bend in his direction, his hand gently tugging my hair forward. He sinks down toward me and connects our lips.

His warm, soft mouth feels like home after all this time apart. Moving over mine like it’s seeking its haven. Connor, my mind says, making sure this is real.

He proves that by slipping his tongue deep inside my mouth and starting to worship me. His movements loving and sweet—another kind of reunion.

Unlike the last time we were here, the sun is still out, light streaking into the car. We’re visible to everyone, and there are people walking in the park.

It doesn’t matter.

The secret keeping is done.

I begin to return the kiss, and he moans as he feels my tongue stroke his mouth. Exploring again what he likes, relearning what pleases him, what it’s like to taste him.

The kiss continues for minutes, until it feels like our “normal” has been reestablished. We’re back together, Connor and Eden, without any reason for a separation again.

He must sense that too, and pulls away, kissing my nose. “Now I wish we didn’t have this family event.” His voice is gruff.

“Ah, it’s okay. I’m excited, and you said they have to end it early.”

“Johnson insists it end by eleven, yes.”

“Plenty of time after to celebrate the New Year, then.” I grin, wiping my lip gloss off his mouth.

He stays still until I’m done. Lip gloss gone. “True. We should probably go. I just really needed to have this time first.”

“Mmmm, I’m glad you did.”

53

EDEN

He gets us on the road shortly thereafter.

“For the actual countdown, we’ll be back at your apartment?”

“Yup, and since I’m not traveling to the game, we can stay up.”

“Awesome.”

He puts the radio on, and we both listen to the music in comfortable silence for a few minutes, until a commercial comes on. He turns down the volume.

“I forgot to tell you this. I put together my resume before practice today.” He has to start thinking about what’s next, if he doesn’t get an offer from a team after the season’s over.

“Oh, nice.”

“I’ll start applying to jobs soon, since it takes so long to get through the hiring process.”

The end of his football season will be mid-February, at the latest, so that makes sense.

“How do you feel about it?” He seems unemotional about the subject, and I would’ve expected him to be anxious.

He glances in my direction, a small smile appearing. “If the last few months have taught me anything, it’s that the best things come when I’m patient.”

He’s so sweet. “Whatever could you mean?” I tease softly.