Page 154 of Now and Then

“I know, but . . .” She shrugs, a smile tugging at her lips. “What could have been a disaster turned into a pivot.”

“It looks amazing, babe. You should be proud.”

“I am.” She laughs. Her cheeks are rosy, a light sheen on her skin from the heat of the kitchen.

“I’m sorry I won’t have the backyard done in time for the open house. I really did my best. But with one hand, it’s going slower than I anticipated.”

I wait for the wave of panic at everything not being perfect to wash over her. But it never does.

She lightly kicks my shin. “You know, it would be really cool if you had a few friends who could help out.”

“I thought about that, but this is one project I have to do on my own.” I lean forward and press a gentle kiss to her lips.

She sets her glass down and stares at me. “It’s okay that it won’t be done in time. But selfishly, I hope I get to see it soon.”

“You will. Luke’s coming over today to help.”

Her mouth drops open. “But you just said this was something you wanted to do just you.”

“Yeah, but I need both of his arms for this next part.”

“And what part is that?” She wiggles her eyebrows.

I know it drives her crazy not knowing what I’ve done out there. But that’s too damn bad. “Mind your business, woman.”

Sutton leans across the table, braces her hands on the sides of my face, and kisses me square on the mouth. She tastes like sugar. My hand caresses the side of her body and settles on the outside of her thigh. Her sweatshirt rides up, exposing white cotton panties. I groan and squeeze the newly exposed flesh.

She sits back, eyes narrowed like she’s trying to decide whether she should tackle me or kiss me again. “You are the most frustrating man alive,” she mutters.

I lean back in my chair, grinning. “I think you like it.”

Her foot nudges mine under the table. “I kind of love it.”

I reach across the table and grab her hoodie strings, tugging her toward me. “C’mere.”

The chair legs scrape softly against the floor as she comes closer. She doesn’t fight it. She never does.

When she’s standing between my legs, I rest my hands on her hips and look up at her. Sunlight catches in her hair, a few wayward curls falling from her bun. She has no idea how beautiful she is.

Her skin is warm beneath mine, soft and smooth everywhere I touch. I scoot back and pull her onto my lap. Her body is heavy and light all at once. She tips her head back as I cover her in kisses—from the edge of her mouth, across her cheek, down her jaw, and along her throat.

“How do you do that?” she breathes.

“Do what?” I lift her hoodie, exposing her body inch by inch, and pull it over her head. Freckles pepper her pale skin, remnants of our summers in the sun. Goosebumps cover her flesh as I trace every dip and curve.

“That,” she says, eyes on me, a look of surrender in her eyes. “How do you make me feel like this with a kiss or a touch?”

“The same way you do for me. Our souls are better together.” I capture her mouth with mine and lift her while I stand. She interlocks her ankles behind my back. When I lay her on the sofa, her legs fall to each side as she pulls me down with her.

“When will my brother be here?” she asks between kisses.

“Does it matter?”

“As long as he knocks first.” She laughs and pulls my shirt over my head.

Her hands coast over my chest and down the planes of my stomach. My jeans come off next. Her bra joins our other clothes on the floor. Then her panties. My briefs. Until we’re pressed skin to skin.

Where she ends, I begin.