Page 66 of Feels Like Coming Home

“And that’s my cue to leave.” With one finger in the air and holding her latte, Piper bolted out of the kitchen and went back to her room, closing the door loudly behind her.

Haley started laughing and feeling her happiness under me made my insides flip. She felt so good standing in front of me like this. My eyes flickered down the back of her neck and I couldn’t stop myself from nuzzling my nose into it, taking in her intoxicating scent.

Welcoming me in, Haley took a deep breath and pressed herself against me. We stayed like this, me standing behind her with my arms wrapped around her waist and her pressing back into me, stroking my arms, for what felt like a lifetime.

“This was really nice of you. Thank you for bringing us coffee. It was also nice of you to bring Piper something too, even though her behavior this morning did not earn her such a treat.”

“Jones, she’s your best friend. I need to get in her good graces and if coffee is the price of admission, I'm more than happy to pay it. Plus, part of me truly believes she could kill me and get away with it, so I'm just trying to keep her happy.”

Haley spun around in my arms and was now leaning against the counter, palms propping her up, my arms still caged around her.

“The person you should really be afraid of isme.”She was cute when she was trying to be intimidating.

“You? You think I need to be afraid of you? You really think you’re so scary, Jones?” I teased. “Here’s what I think about how scary you are!” Without warning, I pulled her in by her hips and dug my teeth playfully into her neck, pretending to be a monster who was eating her, sound effects included all while tickling her sides. She burst into a fit of giggles and squeals, trying to push herself away from me, but I was too strong and held her close.

“Cam! Cam! Okay, okay!” She laughed. “I’m not scary! You win! Stop!” More laughter. Hearing her beg for mercy brought my dick back to life. “Cam, please! I beg you! Stop!”

“You have three seconds to get away from me, pretty girl, and then you’re mine!” I said in my most menacing voice. She squealed again and took off as I let her go and I counted, “One! Two! Three!” at lightning speed.

From across the living room, she yelled, “Hey, no fair! That wasn’t a full three seconds!” But I was already closing the distance between us again.

Haley tried to leap up and over the couch, but I reached for her in time with my arm and pulled her down with one hand. Turns out my football skills had a use off the field too. Both laughing hysterically, we collapsed together on the couch and I pulled Haley onto my lap. I touched my forehead to hers and soaked in everything that she was.

Funny, smart, and everything I have ever wanted in a woman.

And I’m totally in love with her.

“Ohmygosh”, she said in one breath. “I haven’t laughed that hard in SO long.” Her head fell backward as she tried to catch her breath.

“I’m glad I can be the one to make you laugh.”

“I’m glad you are too. I’m glad you came over this morning. I missed you.” Her hazel eyes were on mine as her breath started to slow. She had her arms wrapped around my neck and her legs draped over my lap.

“I missed you too.” I leaned in and kissed her on the forehead and then on the lips once more. We were starting to lean into each other more when Haley pressed her hands against my chest and broke away.

“Cam, it’s not that I don’t want to do this, I do. But Piper and I are super packed this week planning for the conference, and I already know the first few hours will be spent having Piper grill me for your surprise appearance this morning.”

“What’s wrong with me coming here? Am I not allowed to?” Part of me started to worry I had crossed a line I didn’t know about.

“No, you are! It’s just that with you, Piper wants to ask me a bazillion questions and interrogate me on what’s going on when I don’t really know what’s going on. I’m just having fun and letting things go how they go.”

“Mmm, I can show you fun.” I went to kiss her again but she pulled away before I could reach her.

“Cam, for real.” Her eyes locked on mine and turned serious, “What is going on with us? What are we?”

I knew what she was asking, but I didn’t know what answer she wanted. Did she want me to call myself her boyfriend? Are we just friends with benefits? I know that I want the former, but maybe she wants the latter?

“What’s going on…” I started, pulling her up and onto my lap entirely now, helping her move so her legs were straddling my lap. She rested her hands on my chest as I looked up from here where I sat. “Is that I would like to take you on another date on Friday. And again on Saturday, if you’ll let me. How does that sound?”

“That sounds nice.”

“Good, then it’s a date. It’s two dates.” I kissed her and pushed a loose piece of hair back where it belonged behind her ear. She then stood up from my lap and held out a hand, helping me stand up too.

We walked back toward the front door after stopping by the kitchen to get my coffee and phone from the counter. She opened the front door and we lingered there, looking at each other.

“You’re sure I have to go?” I begged, giving her my best, charming smile.

She groaned and dropped her head back slightly.

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