Page 54 of Falling for You

“I asked if she’d like to come to the salon for a birthday treat. I explained to her mom that it would have been my mom’s birthday today so she wouldn’t think I was a complete psycho. And…”

I swallow hard past the thickness building in my throat. “Yeah?” I croak the word out.

“My mom would have done the same. She was all about making sure people felt celebrated on their special day. Beautiful, even.”

“You’re an incredible person, Chloe. You’re not just beautiful on the outside, but on the inside, too.” I know my voice is raspy and low, but she deserves to hear it. “I’m growing really addicted to you.”

“You’re pretty addicting and incredible, too,” she whispers.

After making googly eyes at each other for a ridiculous amount of time, we move around the area, taking pictures behind the cut outs that have an open place for faces, going through the small corn maze. That was my favorite. Mostly because when we made it around a corner, I pressed her into a small alcove and kissed her senseless. After we emerge from the end of the maze, her cheeks are flushed and hair a mess. I plant one last kiss on her lips and she stumbles into me, dazed from my lips on hers. It’s a pretty heady feeling, to know how much I affect her.

Sure, the women I’ve been with in the past have made it clear they like the way I make them feel. But this is entirely different. With the women I was with before Chloe, it was a means to an end. Both of us wanting to scratch an itch, so to speak. I made sure they were satisfied and we both enjoyed ourselves, but it was purely physical.

Until Chloe, I didn’t feel like I needed anything more. Now, though, I want and need it all. I might be able to trigger a physical reaction from her, but it’s the heart I want.

Rather than getting emotional, I urge her forward. “Come on. Let’s go get you some of those warm doughnuts.”

“About time,” she chides, and takes off toward the barn that has fresh doughnuts and hot apple cider. She’s practically jogging.

The fact that she has a junk food tooth like me makes me like her that much more. By the time I catch up with her, she’s already at the table ordering.

“Two dozen?” the lady behind the table asks in amusement.

Chloe’s nodding and then hums, “Actually make that three. He likes them, too, so I’d better get plenty.”

For whatever reason, it makes me smile to hear that she’s including me in her doughnut-buying plans. Even though there’s no way I’ll let her pay. But she’s ordering with me in mind and it makes me stupid. I want to shout that I’m the guy she’s ordering for and make sure everyone knows that she’s mine. She isn’t, yet, though. Yet, being the keyword there.

“She’s wrong. I don’t like them. I love them.”

“Oh pardon me,” Chloe says jokingly.

“So… three dozen?”

“Yes. Please. And a bag of the fritters, too. Do you want a cup of cider?” I ask Chloe.

“Oh yum. Sure!”

“You got it.”

I lean an elbow against the counter and look at Chloe, reach up and brush some dirt off her cheek, not even sure how it got there.

“You’re a mess.”

“It’s been a fun afternoon. I can’t help it if I wanted to participate.”

I grin. “Know what those fritters remind me of?”

“Dessert?” she asks, a knowing spark in her expression.

“Mm hmm. I wanted to kiss you so badly that night.”

“I wanted you to kiss me, too.”

“Promise I won’t let you down in the future,” I whisper into her ear, then pull back and wink. “In fact, I’ll kiss youanywhereyou want.” I know she doesn’t miss the double entendre when I say the word anywhere. Her body shivers, even though she’s not cold.

The lady helping us clears her throat but I’m still looking at Chloe closely. Wondering, hoping, that she’s experiencing the same feelings I am. Not just physically because I’m so fucking hot for her right now.

I watch as her throat constricts when she swallows. Nods. And reluctantly turns to the person helping us as she slides the boxes of warm doughnuts across the old wooden table. Hands me a paper bag that’s heavy with the weight of the fresh apple fritters. Grease stains the bag and I can smell how amazing they’re going to taste. My mouth waters and I don’t hesitate to dig in, lifting out a warm piece of sugary dough, lift it to Chloe’s lips and encourage her to take a bite.

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