Page 49 of Trustfall
“I did not.” She playfully smacked my chest with the back of her hand, which I promptly captured and brought to my lips.
“It’s all good, Red; I’ll just tell you the code to the keypad so you can let yourself in next time.”
“That feels like a big step.”
“I’ve got nothing to hide from you; I want you in my space.”
“I like your personal space better.” She circled her hips and kissed me back with slow, languid strokes of her tongue while her fingers wrapped around the back of my head, pulling on my hair.
“Me too, baby, me too.” We made out for a while before I helped her off my lap, and we moved into the kitchen. “Can I get you a drink? Unfortunately, all I have is water or beer.”
“Water’s fine.”
I opened the fridge and pulled out a bottle and the package of ground beef I’d been defrosting.
“Oh, you didn’t mean just throwing frozen burgers on the grill; you meant actually making them from scratch.”
“Of course.” I opened the drawer and pulled out my Santa apron to hand her. “Feel free just to wear the apron and nothing else,” I joked, yet I was half serious.
I watched as she held it up, waiting for her reaction to unfold.
“Wow! I didn’t realize Santa had such an incredible set of abs. I thought he had a belly that shook like a bowl full of jelly, and his pants—well, they’re hanging indecently low, wouldn’t you say? I’m not sure this is child-friendly. Honestly, though, I think you’re better suited than I am to wear this.”
“Sadly, I agree, well not with the abs part because, let’s be honest, the real deal is better”—I rubbed my hand over mine—“I’ll have to get a Mrs. Claus one for you.”
“Don’t threaten me with a good time.”
“Oh, I’m threatening; come here, Red.”
She stepped into me effortlessly as her body softened and molded into mine.
“What am I going to do with you?” she murmured against my ear before taking the edge and scissoring it between her teeth.
“Stick around, and you’ll find out.”
“That seriously has got to be the best homemade burger I’ve ever had.”
She’d just finished her last bite and was looking very satiated. Meanwhile, I was sitting across from her at my patio table in the backyard, fighting a battle of my own as her incessant little moans of pleasure had left me embarrassingly hard.
“I’m glad you liked it.”
“It was so, so, so good and worth the crazy garlic breath I have now.” She covered her mouth with her delicate fingers.
“At least we’re in the same boat on that front. I have extra toothbrushes from the dentist under the cabinet in my bathroom if you’d like to go and freshen up.”
“I think I’ll take you up on that.”
“Have at it.” I gestured toward the house. “I’ll join you in a minute.”
I watched as she stood, gathered our plates, and made her way inside my house like it was the most natural thing in the world, something she had done countless times before. Yet, it was the first time—the first of what I hoped would be many evenings spent cooking together and enjoying each other’s company.
When I moved into this house, I wanted to create my own space and gain some distance from Jaxon, as I felt it was time to focus on my future. However, what I hadn’t allowed myself to do was envision sharing it so soon. While a life with Arizona had always been my ultimate goal, watching her move through my home with such ease and comfort had me wondering if she’d consider moving in with me and making this place ours.
Logically, I recognized it was too early for that, and the last thing I wanted to do was overwhelm or spook her, but that didn’t mean the possibility of that dream wasn’t within reach; I just needed to exercise patience and trust that the wheels were already in motion.
With that thought in mind, I went in search of my girl. Discovering her bent over my sink, rinsing her mouth, ignited a yearning within that only she could fulfill.
No sooner had I positioned myself directly behind her than she glanced up and met my reflection in the mirror. I reached around her for the mouthwash and swirled the liquid quicklyaround in my mouth before spitting it out in the sink. The longing in her eyes stirred a want so deep within me that the air around us crackled with a ferocious intensity when she turned in my arms and pushed up on her toes to kiss me.
