Page 34 of Nashville Lights

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My meeting ranovertime and I drive like a bat out of hell. By the time I get back to the house it’s almost six.

Fuck. Did I miss her? Then I’ll storm over to the house or the lodge or the pool or wherever she is and fucking find her.

Just as I’m pulling into my driveway, her old pick-up follows me. Behind the wheel is the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen.

No one’s ever had the power to take my breath away like Roxie Tucker.

She steps out of her truck, wearing a practically-see-through pink dress over a pink bikini that’s obviously still slightly wet, her long, glossy hair hanging in waves over her shoulders.

I’m fucking spellbound. And in serious trouble. I want this girl like I’ve never wanted anything in my life. My bodyand soul want to wrap themselves around her and make the girl who’s always been my dreammine.

After all the years of missing her, of forcing myself to try to forget her, it’s hard to adjust to seeing her again. And not just seeing her but being more dazzled than I know what to do with.

She’s here and we’re alone. For the third time in our lives.

“I’m going to have to talk to your brothers about upgrading your ride.”

She glances as Bertha and smiles. “I’ve got plenty of rides, all parked in the garage under our Nashville warehouse, that I never use. She’s still my favorite.”

“I can see why.” She might be old, but she’s a beaut.

“I hardly ever get to drive her. Coming back here seemed like the perfect chance to take her for a spin.”

“She running okay?”

“Like a dream. Ever since you fixed her.”

I can’t help smiling at that and it reminds me that I hardly ever smile anymore. Not until sunshine in human form came back to me. “You ready for your tour, Tuck?” It’s a nickname I gave her when she was maybe ten or eleven.

“I’m more than ready for my tour, Boone.” There’s a twinkle in my girl’s blue eyes. She’s always been sassy, and now that I’m allowing myself to fully bask in her blazing glow, the burn of her blue eyes lights the long-simmering fire in my blood. “Areyouready for my tour?”

“I’ve been ready for your tour for a long time, darlin’.”

Light flags of pink warm her cheeks and I hold her gaze, making them turn even pinker. Still half grinning, I lead her into the house, attempting to hide the fact that my cock is thickening hotly.Fuck.

I’ve had a serious dry spell lately. Part of the reason is because I’m busy. Part of it’s possibly due to the six-year-old who’s both infused my life with a new purpose but also taken it over almost completely. Most of all, though, because I have a hard time finding women that…appeal to me.

Because they’re not her.

Now I know.

Deep down I’ve always known, but now the realization might as well be emblazoned across the sky in neon lights.She’s the one. She’s always been the one.

I hold the door open for her and she steps into the kitchen. A light gasp escapes her, causing my cock to thicken even more painfully.

“Nate. This is, like, mydreamkitchen.”

I know. Because I remember her describing it once, to Tobias, when we were kids.It’ll have windows across the entire side of it, looking out over Tennessee. It’ll have a big table next to the windows where all my friends and family can eat together, and a window seat where you can sit in the sun and read your book and talk to whoever’s cooking. It’ll have a big island and those hanging lights. And a huge double fridge. It’ll be modern but also country. When you step into it, it’ll feel like you’re home.

She runs her fingers over the marble countertops, taking everything in. “It’s amazing. You must…like to cook.”

“I’ve hardly used it. I cook most of our meals out on the barbecue. And Ma and Lou drop off so many casseroles, I have around twenty of ‘em in the freezer at all times.”

She smiles, but she’s distracted.

The kitchen opens out into a rustic but modern open-plan living area with a 72-inch flat screen mounted on one wall and a stone fireplace that takes up most of another. The other wall is made entirely of sliding glass doors that fully open onto the deck. There’s a wooden staircase leading to the second floor.

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