Page 36 of Back To Our Beginning

He swallowed the smokie, then grabbed the margarita out of my hand and took a swig. “I said I might like him. Still thinking about it. But I did a little digging with some of my buddies in California. He checks out.”

“What in the hell does ‘checks out’ mean?” I demanded to know.

“He’s solid. I’d trust him to have your back. Doesn’t mean I like him yet.” Drake plucked another little smokie off my plate and dipped it in mustard. “Nice sweater.” He smirked.

“God, can you all just stay out of my business?” I cried.

They all laughed.

“At least he’s a major improvement over Ted what’s his face. The man with the most boring Netflix queue ever,” Drake laughed.

“Yeah, what was he like in bed?” Ruby asked. “Was it ever anything besides missionary?”

Drake threw up his hands. “For the love of God, I am so out of here,” Drake groaned. He turned around and left the kitchen, only after grabbing two more smokies off my plate.

I smiled at Ruby. “Thanks.”

She curtsied. “You’re welcome.”

“Auntie Maddie, he does look exactly like Mr. Kai. I thought he was Mr. Kai, but I checked outside and Mr. Kai was still outside. When I called him Mr. Kai, he said his name was Beau. I think he’s even cuter than Mr. Kai, even though they look exactly alike. He asked where you were. I told him you were in here. So be ready. He’s coming in here.” She peeked over her shoulder. “He’s coming. He’s coming.” Bella was jumping up and down.

“Actually, I’m here,” Beau said, as he gave me a heated smile.

Oh hell.

Chapter Nine

As soon as I walked into the kitchen, Ruby, Trenda, and the little girl hustled out, leaving me with an open-mouthed Maddie.

She stood in the nook where the two counters met, balancing a plate of food in one hand and a drink in the other. Her cheeks were flushed. I wondered how long she’d been here and if she’d been drinking much, but then decided no. There was no way that Maddie would drink too much, not if she was driving.

I closed the gap between us. I pulled the dishes out of her hands and put them on the counter behind her. I reached out and brushed a strand of hair off her cheek and tucked it behind her ear. “I meant what I said the other night, Maddie. I’m not giving up.”

Her eyes darkened, but she didn’t say anything. That was fine. I wasn’t done.

“I’ve wanted you since forever. Since our junior year.”

“You asked Mary Slaughter out,” she whispered.

“I was a dumbass. I was confused back then, but I’m not now. I know what I want. I know who I want.”

“You don’t live here.”

“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. Right now, we have time to make up for.”

Her breathing hitched.

Her eyes widened.

I leaned in and put my hands on the counter on either side of her, boxing her in. I pressed my cheek against hers. “I don’t want to be just your friend. I want to be the man who hears your laugh first thing every morning and the man who makes you scream his name every single night.”

A soft gasp left her lips, and she clutched my waist.

I leaned back so I could look her in the eye. “Unless you tell me to stop, I’m going to kiss you.”

She didn’t say a word.

I touched my lips to hers, and the world ceased to exist. There was only Maddie. She tasted like strawberries and heat. Like passion, fire and want. She moved her hands so that they were twisting in the front of my shirt, dragging me closer. Our kiss turned carnal. Soon there was nothing between us but years and need.