Page 71 of Major Love

Because if I do want to go back to Nashville? It’s not going to be under the label of Riley Dutton’s ‘arm candy’.

Understanding that he’s not about to get a definitive answer just yet, Jason nods and steps closer, hunching down so that he can press a stubbled kiss against my cheek.

He gives my waist a gentle squeeze and my heart pounds with delight.

My perfect, small-town gentleman… with that unfathomable military control.

And I can’t help but wonder whose control will snap first.

“Okay,” he murmurs. “I’ll hit up the grocery store again after I grab my truck. Send me a message if there’s anything special you want me to get for you while I’m down there.”

“You’re going to cook for me?” I ask, smiling as he tucks a stray curl behind my ear.

Last night we ate takeout because he’d ordered a fuck-tonne the night before, but secretly I’m intrigued at the idea of being in Jason’s house as he cooks us dinner.

With a ridiculously handsome smirk, he pulls open a drawer and slaps something on the counter.

I carefully unfold it and then laugh out loud when I realise it’s an apron.

His sexy smile-creases flash as he folds his arms over his chest, his biceps bulging.

“I’ll make anything you want,” he rumbles, that deep voice reverberating in my belly. Then he gives me a once-over and asks, “You eat meat?”

I tug nervously at my neckline, trying not to hear that as a euphemism.

“Uh, sure,” I say huskily. “Maybe once a week or so.”

He pushes off the counter, trying not to smile as he tucks a thumb in the front of his jeans.

“Okay, I’ll head down now,” he says, hesitating as he glances back down at me. He waits a beat and then asks gruffly, “Are you… are you real busy right now?”

His gaze flickers back toward my laptop and he shifts on his boots as if he wants to ask me something.

I can’t imagine what it is that he has in mind and, thinking that maybe it has something to do with Casey’s bar, I decide that our dinner tonight might be the better time to have that discussion. Besides, now that I’ve recovered from the initial surprise about the bar, I’m secretly really happy that Casey’s starting something in Phoenix Falls. Mainly because it makes me think that he’s making post-military plans. And as much as I adore how selfless his career has been, after almost two decadesof my brother being in the Army I’m more than ready for him to retire.

I don’t know if Casey intends to leave his position anytime soon, but by making solid roots in our hometown… it gives me a little hope.

Which is why I’m thinking that we should do something special with it, make it up so that it’s ready to open for the time that he comes home.

And as the former owner of the best bar in Nashville, I have alotof ideas.

“I have a little more work that I want to finish up,” I admit, glancing at my laptop over my shoulder.

And when I turn back to Jason, I’m face-to-face with his heaving chest.

I yelp happily as he pulls me against him for a firm goodbye hug, heat spreading through my body as he chuckles quietly above my head.

“Okay,” he rumbles, “I’ll get out of your way.”

He releases me from his grip and moments later he’s at the front door.

I pad quickly after him, making him smirk when he glances back at me over his shoulder.

“So, what did you decide on?” I call out to him, as he trudges heavily through the settled snow. A huge Ford breaks into the clearing and pulls to a stop where Jason usually parks.

He looks up at me as he rounds his friends’ truck and asks, “What d’you mean?”

“For dinner,” I clarify. “What did you decide on for our dinner?”

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