Page 62 of Sunshine

He laughs softly. “You’re worth more than just a dinner, Layla.” When I give him a look that says,Okay then where the hell is it?his eyes flash with a heady mix of desire and excitement. “It’s in the car.”

The waiter returns to ask for our dessert order, but I shake my head. “None for me, thank you.”

Jason’s smile curves higher. “No dessert? Are you sure?”

“Yes,” I say,morethan sure.

Jason takes care of the bill and holds my hand on our way out. He drives us down a back road that winds parallel to the main highway, and when he parks within a cluster of tall trees my stomach flips.This is it, I think.It’s happening.

But then Jason pulls a beautifully wrapped box from the back seat, adorned with a bright yellow bow. I stare at it with wide eyes and ask, “What’s this?”

“Your gift,” he murmurs, placing the box in my lap.

I carefully pull on the ribbon until the bow unfurls, and when I lift the lid, a loud gasp escapes me. “Oh my god!” I exclaim as I pull out a dark brown cowboy boot with ornate yellow daylilies embroidered along the front and back shaft. I know immediately that Melody made them—they look just like the ones she wears. “These are amazing! How did you know?”

His grin is shimmering and dripping with confidence. “I know how much you’ve been enjoying the horses, and I figured it was time for you to have some proper boots,” he says.

This is the best present I’ve ever gotten in my life. Tucking it back in the box, I lean forward to untie the shoelaces of my Keds, then switch them for my new boots, thrilled that they’re a perfect fit. “And you knew my size!” I exclaim.

Jason chuckles. “I asked your mom,” he explains.

Joy bubbles through me, effervescent in the way it moves through my chest. For the third time tonight, I’m struck with the instinct that I’m ready to take things further. “I want to have sex.” The words nearly burst out of my mouth, and I can’t help but laugh at the absurdity of such a left turn in conversation.

Jason’s eyes grow as wide as saucers. “What?” he rasps.

My smile stretches all the way to my ears. “I’m ready, Jay. I’m so crazy about you, and I thought it’s what you meant about a gift in the car, and I feel dumb about that now but these boots are perfect and you’re perfect and I’m just really ready?—”

I’m cut off by Jason’s mouth on mine, eager and hungry. His hands grip my waist as he tries to pull me closer, but my hip hits the gearshift with a loud thump. “Ow,” I laugh again.

Jason’s blue eyes have grown five shades darker. “Get in the back seat,” he directs.

So I do.

He’s slow and careful and yet so earnest in the way he touches me, like he really wants to make this count. I’ve never asked him how many girls he’s done this with, but I’d guess there have been a few based on how he seems to know exactlywhat will make my head spin and my body tremble in anticipation.

“Are you sure?” he asks, his lips sucking at my collarbone.

I nod. “Mhmm.”

He reaches to pull a foil wrapper from his wallet and makes quick work of taking off his slacks. I help him pull his jacket off, and he folds it over the headrest. When he’s ready, he positions himself over me as his hands roam beneath my dress. “I love you, Layla,” he says, like he can’t believe this is happening. “I love you so much, and I swear I’m going to love you for the rest of my life.”

“You better,” I whisper. And then I gasp, because his fingers have found where I’m most sensitive, and I’ve never felt anything like this before. It’s a wild current of electricity that sparks across every inch of my skin.

“I promise,” he says as he pushes into me.

And I believe him.

CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE

NOW

The first thought that comes to mind as my lips press against Wells is how warm he is, even in the middle of this mid-December Texan downpour. I can feel heat radiating off his skin like he’s made of the sun, and I want to sink further into him.

The second thought is how this kiss is like nothing I’ve ever felt. It takes him only seconds to reach up and cup my face in his strong hands, tilting my head back for better access. I may have started this kiss, but he’s making it his own, deepening it to something near-feral and wicked with desire.

When I slide my tongue against his, a low grunt escapes from his throat, and Ilovethe sound. I lose all thoughts, my only focus becoming a one-tracked need to get him to make it again. His fingers wind into my hair as he grips the back of my neck and pulls me in closer—as if we could possiblygetany closer—and when I arch my chest against his he makes thesound again, a rough and guttural groan straight from his lizard brain. It sets me on fire. Burns through me like kerosene.

A loud crash of thunder sounds from overhead, and Wells pulls away from me. He rests his forehead against mine as his breath fans across my neck. “We need to get out of here,” he slurs, his focus moving from my mouth to my shoulder to my cheek.

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