Page 7 of His Curvy Flower

“Pure and untouched, and only for me…” I growled and finally took what I wanted.

Her lips on mine.

* * *

Her first timehad to be special. Not here, surrounded by the destruction and chaos of today’s events. After we finished cleaning and Sadie grabbed what was left of her things, we climbed back into my truck and headed toward my place.

It was early afternoon, and I realized I hadn’t eaten lunch—my sub was sitting in the fridge at work. “Are you hungry? I can swing by the diner for some lunch.”

“Only if you promise the food is good.” Sadie attempted a half smile, and I reached over across the middle console and took her hand in mine.

“Best place in town. It blew me away the first time I went there with my buddies.”

“Wow, setting the bar pretty high there.”

“Just you wait.”

“Any chance they make pizza?”

I laughed. “At the diner? Nah, not usually, though I’m sure Camille could whip something up.”

“No, that’s okay. I could go for a juicy cheeseburger and some fries. Maybe a strawberry milkshake?” Sadie finally smiled for the first time today, and I was happy to see it.

“Now you’re talking. But maybe we’ll grab some pizza for dinner? There’s a really good place in town, a little hole-in-the-wall right in the center of town. They deliver all over the mountain.”

“Already planning dinner? I like how you think.”

“And I like a woman who eats.”

“Oh trust me. I can do some serious damage to a pizza. Or a cheeseburger.”

I grinned. “You’re a dream come true.”

“Ha! Good one.”

“It’s true. I think I’m falling in love with you, Sadie. And I think you feel it too.”

“I…I…I don’t know what to say, Arlo. This is all so fast and…”

“Shh, don’t say anything. Just exist. With me.”

“That I can do,” Sadie whispered.

After we ate at the diner, we finally made it to my home. I scored a nice deal on a large cabin near the top of the mountain. Bought it outright from the savings I worked hard for. Secluded, surrounded by forest, and just the way I liked it. Warrior didn’t seem to complain either with the large fenced-in yard for his endless zoomies.

“Wow,” Sadie said as she stared at my cabin. “This is your place?”

“Yep. Scored a good deal on it. Needed a little TLC, but nothing I couldn’t handle. Most of the guys in my squad from the service know their way around a toolbox. In fact, Crew’s a licensed electrician, and Rowan is licensed in carpentry. I loved how secluded it is up here.”

“Me too.” Sadie watched as I slung her bag over my shoulder and reached for her hand. As we walked up to the front door, Warrior began his barking. “Oh! I hear the puppy!” Sadie said, and I could tell bringing her here was the right idea. Even if her place hadn’t been destroyed, she wouldn’t have liked being alone and scared.

Now she was safe with me and had a cute puppy to play with and raise her spirits.

I opened the door and led her inside. Warrior went crazy, barking and running in circles in his crate. I shut the door and locked it behind us, making sure to flick the deadbolt in place.

“Aw, the little guy is excited to see a new face, huh? A much prettier one than seeing my mug all the time.” I set Sadie’s bag on the floor and walked over to Warrior, letting him out of his crate.

He immediately jumped all over our legs, and I scooped him up. He licked my face, and Sadie laughed. “Want to hold him?”

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