Page 31 of Only One I Ever Wanted

“Nora?”

“Sorry, dipping into the past.”

“Thinking about Booker?” His voice was even, but tight.

I shook my head. “No. Well, not really. More like I was remembering you on the field. The first time I noticed you. So serious about the team. Like you were five steps ahead.”

He flushed. “Yeah. I could never really fall into just the rhythm of the game. I was too worried about the next inning, the next hitter. Was the pitcher having an off day?”

I turned so my knees were pointed toward him. “Because you take care of people.”

“Ripley is the oldest, but he was always one foot out the door. I was the defacto eldest.”

“You take care of all your brothers and now Danny.”

He nodded. “I just got Danny back.”

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

He settled back on the couch. “My ex is...not the best. She took off with Danny in the middle of the night.”

I reached over and touched his thigh. “Oh, Sully.”

And a few things that didn’t make sense clicked into place. No wonder Danny seemed a little apart from everyone. Well, not the dog and certainly not Anna, but around everyone else, he was perpetually watching. Maybe even making sure he wasn’t going to make anyone angry.

“Yeah, she decided she didn’t want to play mom anymore and dropped him back off for Christmas.” His fingers fisted on either side of his legs.

I reached for his hand, cupping both of mine around it. “How long was he gone?”

“Four years.”

“God.”

He turned to look at me. “Sexy conversation, hey?”

I laughed. “He’s important to you. As he should be, but now I can see why—” I cut myself off.

“Why we’re a little strained? We’re getting there, but it’s been a slow process. He doesn’t talk about his mom, and I’m not entirely sure he even misses her. It’s more that he’s afraid?—”

“He’s going to be taken away again.”

He sighed. “Yeah. That.”

“See, caretaker.”

He shifted his hand so our fingers linked. His was big and rough and a little shiver danced down my spine, wondering what it would feel against my skin. “Let me take care of you.”

I leaned forward, touching his lips in answer. The kiss was soft and lazy as a summer day. I sifted my fingers into his hair. The short strands along his ear led to thick curls that lured me in closer.

He sat forward, curling an arm around me until I straddled him on the leather. It squeaked under my knees and we both laughed until we were kissing again, and his hands raced over my hips and cupped my ass, tipping my hips forward until the first tease of friction made my blood thicken.

I was slightly taller than him in this position and he tipped his head back, letting me take the lead. I couldn’t get enough of his hair. Of his mouth. Of his hands that gripped me like he didn’t want to let go.

Somehow far hotter than his kisses.

I couldn’t remember the last time anyone wanted to touch me like that. Who held me like I was precious.

The world tilted and Sully stood with me in his arms.

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