Page 77 of Brands

I almost admonish him about his language, but bite my tongue instead.

Blue’s warm palms circle my waist. “Well, that went better than expected. Are we supposed to buy him a new Playstation or something now?”

I take a deep breath to calm my racing heart. “No, but I’ll probably have to follow through with the raise I promised him.”

He laughs and peels himself away to fasten his belt. “Bribery is the answer for every teenager.” His arms raise as he stretches, highlighting the cut of his hips over his jeans and the dark patch of hair that trails from his belly button to disappear under his zipper. “I guess that makes me your boyfriend officially?”

That charming lopsided smile almost makes me drop my panties. “I suppose it does. And by the end of today, ‘partner’.” As long as Dad signs.

Before I can blink, Blue has my wrists pinned against the wood paneled wall above my head. “You know what’s afterthat?” His voice is low and husky as his whiskers tickle my jaw.

A surge of heat rushes through me like it does every time he’s close.

“Tell me,” I breathe, letting my ankle rise to wrap around his calf.

“Two more boxes. You’ll find out.” Mischief smirks across his lips, then he nips at the skin of my neck and lets me loose.

“You make it very difficult to concentrate.” I’m a little disappointed he slides on his long sleeved shirt and begins to button it.

Does it ever get boring? When a couple is together for years, do they lose that hitch in their throat, the fire in their gaze?

Because every time I look at Blue, it seems more intense. I can’t imagine it ever changing.

Going through my morning routine, I’m suddenly struck by overwhelming sadness when I see the tinge of pink on the toilet paper after I wipe.

Great. My period.

I guess I’m not pregnant. Weird that I almost wish I was.

No, I have way too much shit going on right now. And the reality is, Blue and I are still new at all of this.

It feels a little different when he takes my hand and walks with me across the parking lot. The only one left who’s in the dark about us is Dad.

“I have an inspection this morning for a sale, then I’ll be back here at noon to pick you up. Ready to take over?” He tosses his overnight bag into the passenger side of his truck, then pulls me close.

“No, but yes. A whole lotta hoops to jump through just to keep doing the same thing.” I pat his butt as he kisses me.

In broad daylight.

It gives me a thrill like we’re doing something risky.

Every time we part, it leaves a pang in my chest. Real pain.

There’s a piece of me that longs to rush through all the steps. After losing Mom, and with Dad being sick, it’s obvious that life can be short.

Maybe that’s the bit that is bugging me. Dad’s surgery went well, he’s healing at the hospital, yet there’s something in me that feels different about him now.

He lived a life that he never wanted, and nearly lost the chance to change that.

I’m risking it all, to get exactly what I want.

Chapter Twenty-seven

Blue

“When did you buythem?” I flip the pages on their sales receipts, trying to find the date.

“Last fall.” Tobias Shufflebottom points to the bottom, confirming his statement.

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