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Her words cut off when she realized it wasn’t her father.
There she was. Standing in front of him in flannel pajama pants and a sweatshirt. Most of her body was covered by fabric. Her hair was in a messy bun on top of her head and she wasn’t wearing any makeup. But she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.
“Sullivan!” she said, hand still on the doorknob. “Hi.”
He forgot his entire speech.
Instead, he crossed the threshold and invaded her personal space.
He cupped her cheeks, stared deep into her eyes, and he kissed her.
Chapter16
Edwina was sifting her way through the mess she’d made of her multiple suitcases. She was using the second bedroom in the apartment as a sorting station for everything she’d managed to pack and bring with her to Beaver Bend on such short notice. She had shipped ten boxes that were due to arrive in a couple of days and she needed to sort out her clothing situation before they showed up.
It was Saturday night and in spite of the chaos surrounding her, she was excited to be starting a new chapter in her life.
She was hoping to reach out to Sullivan the following day, maybe surprise him by showing up at Tap That. She wanted to tell him she’d left Nigel and see what his reaction was to that. Maybe clarify what she had meant by asking him what he had to offer, if he was willing to listen.
It was unclear how he would respond. She hadn’t heard a word from him since she’d left in August, but that wasn’t surprising given she had been in a relationship. She was hopeful that there might be some way to explore something between her and Sullivan, but if there wasn’t, it didn’t change anything about her decision. She still wanted to be in Beaver Bend.
She would prefer it was with Sullivan and Finn. But if not, it was still the right choice over New York for her, for now, at this point in her life.
But she’d really like it to be with Sullivan.
An aggressive knock landed on her door, which startled her. Her father had been thrilled with her return. But the knock sounded urgent. Either something was wrong or it was Nigel, though she really doubted that. She hadn’t heard from him since she’d walked out of the restaurant. She seriously doubted he would pursue her to Beaver Bend.
Picking her way through her opened suitcases sprawled over every available surface, she opened the door. “Dad, what’s wr—
Her words died out when she saw it wasn’t her father.
It was Sullivan.
Wearing a suit, his tie loosened and askew, his hair sticking up, like he’d run his fingers through it repeatedly. He looked gorgeous. The perfect picture of hot country boy cleaned up for a special occasion. His expression was intent, his gaze searching.
“Sullivan!” she managed to choke out. “Hi.”
There was only a split second for regret that she was dressed for pure relaxation instead of sexual enticement before he stepped forward. His body crowded hers and she sucked in a breath, recognizing his intent. His blue eyes were stormy with desire, his lips parted, and a sharp jolt deep in her core had her tilting her head back in invitation.
Sullivan’s hands gently cupped her cheeks.
Everything inside her melted and if it wasn’t for the doorknob she was still holding, her knees would have buckled. She’d always wanted a cheek cupping moment. She’d probably had one at some point but nothing like this.
She would have sworn that time actually slowed down. It was an aching, swelling, agonizing and awesome moment of anticipation before he kissed her.
Her eyes fluttered shut when his mouth brushed over hers, a gentle press of possession. She sighed into him, as if she’d been waiting to exhale into this moment her entire life. His thumbs caressed her cheeks gently as he held her, the second kiss deeper, more demanding.
Sullivan’s tongue swept over her bottom lip and it set her body on fire. She let go of the doorknob and threw her arms around his neck, shifting in closer, wanting to feel him, all of him.
He shifted his hands to the back of her head, her neck, twisting his grip into her hair so she couldn’t escape, so that they were feasting on each other, a grinding, entangled hot collision of mouths and bodies and tongues.
When she finally broke off the kiss, needing to breathe, she blinked at him.
“I heard your relationship ended,” he murmured, barely easing his grip on her.
She nodded, skin flushed, nipples hard. “Yes. I broke up with him.”
“I’m sorry if you’re sorry that it ended.”
