Page 64 of Now and Then

I drag my hand from her belly up over her shirt to the front of her chest and wrap my fingers around the side of her neck. She sucks in a breath, eyes settling into molten lava.

“The time for might bes is gone, baby girl. If you want to actually give us a chance, it’s either yes or no.”

She folds her lips between her teeth, chest rising and falling. I raise one eyebrow in question.

She sits up to face me. “Yes.”

My chest nearly splits open at her answer. After all these damn years, I never thought she’d get out of her own way. I cup her cheek.

“You don’t know how fucking happy that word makes me.” I lean in close.

She bites her lip, eyes flitting to my mouth. “Hunter?” She covers my hand with her own.

“Yeah?”

“Will you kiss me already?”

Never have five words made me so nervous. I’ve pictured kissing the woman so many times. I rest my forehead against hers, our breathing in sync. When I pull away, her eyes are wide, a shy smile tugging at her lips.

“I thought you’d never ask.”

I don’t know who moves first—her or me—but our lips crash together.

Sutton moans, hands finding the sides of my face, thumbs brushing over my jaw. Every nerve in me tightens, but it’s not just desire. It’s relief. It’s years of waiting. It’s her. I feather my hands into her hair, letting the press of our bodies speak what words never could.

Her lips are soft against mine. I feel her pulse beat fast and wild, matching my own.

Everything disappears. There’s just us.

I pause long enough to catch my breath. “Sutton,” I murmur, voice low.

“Hunter,” she whispers back.

In one single, unforgettable kiss, our whole lives have changed.

My hand grips her hips, rolling her more firmly into my chest. Suddenly, Sutton scrambles to her knees and straddles my lap. Her body is warm and soft against mine.

She kisses me this time with such intensity, I forget to breathe. When she tugs my lip, I groan, losing all sense. Her hands fumble at my chest, and I catch her fingers, holding them gently, letting her know I’m right here.

I’ve never wanted anything more than this moment, this closeness, this her. My hands trace the curve of her waist under her hoodie, memorizing the way she responds. She presses closer, welcoming every touch.

“I—” She takes several quick breaths.

“Just breathe, baby girl. I’m right here.”

“It’s nice not to have to pretend.” Her voice comes out low as she buries her face against my neck.

“Pretend?”

“That my hands are yours when I touch myself.”

I groan and feel myself thicken even more. There’s no way she doesn’t feel how she affects me. I pull her to me and slip my hands beneath her bra, wanting to explore every inch of her.

“Can I see you?” I motion to her hoodie.

Sutton bites her lip and lifts the hoodie off. My breath catches. Her hands drift lower, and she watches me like she’s daring herself not to flinch.

“All of you?” I say, shaking my head to focus.