Page 58 of Make You Mine

“Yep. How was your day?”

“It was… enlightening,” I replied. “Got some good advice from Jake and Vi.”

“They’re excellent when it comes to that,” she agreed. “What kind of advice?” she asked, curiosity lighting up her beautiful face.

“Mostly about enjoying the small moments and not stressing too much about the future.” I looked at her, feeling a sudden rush of affection and wishing she were mine for real. “You know, like this moment right now, with you.”

She smiled softly, her eyes shining in the early evening twilight. “I like that. We should do more of this. Sitting out here is everything I hoped it would be when I bought the place.”

“We definitely should,” I agreed, feeling warmth spread through me. I returned the knitting to her lap and leaned back in my chair. “What’s your plan for tonight?”

“Well, I didn’t have any plans at all until you walked onto my porch looking all sexy and bringing me my favorite flowers.”

“Ahh, and now?”

“I plan on kissing the hell out of you. If you don’t have any pressing engagements, that is.”

“I think our plans are in alignment,” I teased, reaching forward to touch her cheek, feeling the soft warmth of her skin. She leaned into my palm, her eyes fluttering closed for a moment.

She tilted her head slightly, her lips parting in anticipation as I closed the gap between us, pressing my lips gently against hers.

The kiss was slow, deliberate, and filled with the promise of many more moments like this. I knew all I had to do was be patient.

“I love this with you. You make me feel—” Her eyes brightened with unshed tears before she blinked them back. “Well, you make me feel again. And I didn’t think I would. I thought Richard had killed the last bit of love and hope I had left in me.”

“Me too, Piper. I never thought I would ever feel this way,” I admitted, brushing a stray hair away from her face.

“I’m glad you came over tonight,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

We sat together in companionable silence, the only sound the distant chirping of crickets and the occasional rustle of leaves in the breeze.

She slid to the side, patting the spot next to her on the swing.

The stars twinkled above us, casting a soft light over the porch. Her fingers intertwined with mine. “Maybe we should make this a regular thing,” she suggested softly. “Just me and you, right here.”

“And another kiss?”

“Obviously.”

I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and drew her into my side, kissing her temple, then resting my head against hers.

“I don’t know what to do with you, Ren,” she whispered. “I want so much, but I’m afraid that I?—”

“Don’t be afraid, sweetheart. I have all the patience in the world when it comes to you. No need to rush things.”

“This is different. You and me, Ren. This is everything, and I just need some time, so I don’t mess it up.”

“I know, baby. Anything you need.”

We sat there, letting the night envelop us as the gentle sway of the swing matched the rhythm of our breathing.

A small smile slid across her lips before she raised her face to mine and wrapped her hand around my neck, pulling me down to meet my lips with hers in a reassuring kiss.

At first, it was slow, like before, but then a quiet little moan vibrated from the back of her throat, and I pulled her closer, unable to resist.

No one had ever kissed me like Piper. The earth moved when her lips were on mine. She didn’t just make me feel good, she made me feel like I had somewhere to belong. Everything felt right whenever I was with her.

“I think you’re going to change my life, Ren.”

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