Page 60 of Next to You

Walking toward her felt like stepping into my future.

I knocked, waiting for her to open the door.

Her shoes clicked on the wooden floor, and I held my breath.

“Spencer.” She breathed.

She was dressed to the nines, in a dress with heels, a full face of makeup, and deep red lips. She was so stunning that I didn’t know where to look first, so I let my gaze wander over her as I took her in.

I closed my eyes, overcome. “You’re so beautiful.” I breathed.

Her laughter floated up from her throat. She knew exactly what she was doing to me, and it was sexy as fuck. “You’re not even looking, silly. Open your eyes.”

“I can’t. I’ll stare, then we’ll stand here all night. Me struck dumb, and you looking like a fucking goddess.”

“I’ll never get over the things you say.”

I opened my eyes. The dress was midnight black, with long sleeves and a deep V-neck. She was taller in her black spiked heels—the better to kiss her—and looked beyond gorgeous. A blush from my words decorated her high cheekbones, and her cherry lips smiled at me.

“You’re stunning tonight. This dress is amazing.”

She grabbed my tie, pulling my face to hers. “Thanks. I bought it so you could take it off me later. It zips all the way up the back. Isn’t that fun?”

“Yeah, sweetheart.”Fun.She was a fucking dream come true is what she was.

“You look gorgeous, Spencer. That suit suits you. You’re dapper and handsome, and I don’t know what I like better, your fixing cars, blue-collar hot guy clothes, or this.”

“You don’t have to choose.” The air between us was electrified. We’d be lucky if we didn’t jump each other before we got to the cabin. “You can have all of me.”

“It’s like I won the lottery or something.” She reached inside the doorway then handed me her coat. I held it open while she turned and slipped into it. “Where are you taking me?”

“It’s a surprise.” I held her arm as we walked to the truck. The driveway was slippery from the rain.

Her hands on my arm tightened. “I bet I can guess!”

“I bet you can’t,” I shot back. Getting her riled up always led to good things.

“I’ll start guessing once you start driving.”

“That’s too easy.” I opened the passenger door to help her in. “This is a small town. We don’t exactly have a lot of options up here.”

“Fine.” Satisfaction pursed her mouth as she tilted her head, and her eyes flashed with humor. “The cabin.”

“Ah.” I waited a beat, trying not to give it away. “Do you want me to tell you if you won?”

“No.” She wrapped her arms around my neck and pressed a kiss to my throat. “Wherever you take me, I’ll win. As long as I’m with you, I can’t lose.”

“You’re the best thing to ever happen to me, Lucy.”

I looked into her eyes, and the whole world faded away.

But once I got on the road, I didn’t look at her at all. I wanted her too much. Luckily, the drive to the cabin was quick.

Chapter 23

Lucy

The gravel crunched beneath the truck’s tires as he turned onto the private road leading to the cabin. “I knew it! I won.”

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