Page 59 of Beating Heart
Cutler was already running toward Winnie, and I didn’t stop him. I had a bone to pick with my neighbor. Not to mention, the bone I’d been dealing with since we’d made out like teenagers last night. I’d been rock-hard ever since, and she wasn’t going to ignore me when I was dealing with an uncomfortable boner.
I followed Cutler up to the porch and noticed the door was wide open. I peeked my head in. “Hey, Emerson, are you here?”
She came around the corner, wearing a pink bikini top and a pair of jean shorts, and my mouth went dry immediately. “Hey, what’s up?”
I told Cutler to stay on the porch with Winnie and stepped toward her. “I saw Winnie and the lemonade, and I wondered if you ran into the house to avoid me.”
The corners of her lips turned up, and she raised a brow. “Why would I avoid you?”
“Because it’s kind of your thing. But I’m about done with it. It was a kiss. Don’t make it bigger than it is and get all weird and hide out in here every time I’m outside for another week. It’s ridiculous.” I didn’t hide my irritation. This woman was so far under my skin I couldn’t see straight.
She raised a brow. “Wow. All right. Good to know. But that’s not what I was doing.”
“What were you doing?”
“Well, I saw your truck pull up, and I was going to get my phone to text you and see if you and Cutler wanted to hang out today. I thought I’d be hungover, but instead, I feel damn good. Maybe it was the kiss or the magnificent orgasm… even if you’re claiming that it wasn’t a big deal. It was kind of a big deal to me.” She chuckled and held up her phone, just as mine vibrated in my pocket. I pulled it out.
Chadwick
What are you and Cutler up to today, neighbor?
I typed out a quick text, and she glanced down at her phone.
We’re taking the boat over to King’s to swim and hang out on the water. You’re coming with us.
She chuckled and started typing, even though we were standing close enough that I could lean down and kiss her.
And damn, did I want to.
Chadwick
Are you always so bossy?
Yes. Get over it. I want you to come with us. Do you need me to beg? Because I will.
Chadwick
No need. All you had to do was ask, and I would have said yes.
Good to know, for future reference.
Chadwick
Okay. I’m ready.
Let’s go.
We both laughed, and she was cute as hell. I pulled the door open.
“Sunny’s coming with us,” I said, and my son started jumping up and down.
“Can Winnie come, too?”
“Sure. Uncle King said that Dandelion needs a friend. They can play together.” Kingston’s puppy had a ton of energy, and I knew he’d be thrilled if we brought someone to wear her out.
“Yes!” Cutler punched his fist to the sky with excitement.
Emerson grabbed a beach bag and filled it with a few things before looking over at us. “You have the inhaler?”
