Page 110 of Then You Happened
“I bet it’s that redhead down at the bar. Vivian? Violet? What the fuck’s her name?” Cory asks.
I stop at the door and toss them a cocky grin. “Does it really matter? It isn’t like I’m going to remember by the morning.”
Their laughter and shouts of encouragement carry through the door when I shut it and strut toward my truck. I climb in and rev the engine before driving just beyond the gate of the ranch and parking on the road by the small grove of trees.
My jog back up the gravel path is quick, and my fist banging on Tate’s door is even quicker.
The light flicks on in the hallway as her feet fall on the hardwood floor within.
“Jack?” Her voice is surprised as she steps back to let me in.
I might have the same damn startled look on my face, but it’s for such a very different reason.
How in the hell did this woman with her storm-cloud-colored eyes and bee-stung lips win my fucking heart?
“Is everything okay? I just heard your truck take off.” She looks toward the empty driveway again, confusion etching the lines of her face as she reaches out and runs a hand down my arm because I’m just standing there and staring at her.
At her simplicity.
At her need to be in control and ability to give it to me when it’s warranted.
At her wild.
“Yeah.” I step into her and press my lips to hers in a kiss so very different from any others I’ve given her before. This time, there is a softness in it. A regret. A knowledge that I only have so many of these left to give. “I missed you, is all.”
She doesn’t respond with words.
Instead, she pulls me into her arms and kisses me back with the same gentle desperation I feel.
THE SKY IS TURNING GRAY. It’s subtle hues as the early morning sky prepares for the sun to rise remind me of Tate’s eyes.
I turn to look at where she’s snuggled beneath the covers, hair fanned out on the tan pillowcase, one leg wrapped around the comforter’s edge while her breast is partially uncovered by the opposite end.
She’s beautiful.
Not in the typical sense. She’s slight in stature with small features, perfect tits, and a great ass, but it’s her unforgettable personality that draws me to her. Fire and ice when she needs to be and sunshine and storm clouds at other times.
It takes everything I have not to crawl back into bed beside her and curl into her warmth, spread her thighs, and taste her again.
My dick stirs to life as I think of the way she mewled and bucked beneath my tongue last night. When she tucked in close against me and her breath feathered over my skin as it evened out, I wanted to tell her the same three words she told me the other night.
But I’d be awake.
I’d know what I said.
She doesn’t know she did.
I need to go get my truck and then drive up the driveway before the guys wake up. I need to go pretend I was out getting laid by Violet instead of Tate.
“Hey.” Her voice is husky, eyes squinting as she pushes the hair out of her face.
“Morning.”
She glances at the clock. “It’s early.” The two words are a groan that I couldn’t agree more with.
“No. Stay in bed. Get some more sleep,” I say when she begins to push herself up.
Bending over, I press a kiss to the top of her head as she grabs my pillow and hugs it to her before closing her eyes and snuggling back under the comforter. “I’ll be up in a few minutes,” she murmurs, her voice sleep drugged as she falls back asleep.
