Page 63 of Love Songs

He started strumming chords on his guitar that sounded familiar. It took me a second to identify the song, and I clued in to the lullaby as he began singing.

“You are my sunshine . . .” he sang sotto voce. Private and intimate. Raspy and seductive. “My only sunshine . . .”

He slowed the timing down, somehow making the tune romantic, and dragged out each bar with a subtle, lilting vibrato.

“You keep me happy, when skies are gray . . .”

If I hadn’t already fallen in love with this man, I sure as hell would now.

“You need to know . . . Conor . . .” Dallas changed the words and looked me straight in the eye with that electric stare of his. “How much I love you . . .”

My pulse skipped. Time stopped and even the air held its breath.

He loved me. Dallas Bladelovedme.

Dallas set the guitar on the ground, leaning it against his lawn chair, and swallowed. My gaze followed the bob of his Adam’s apple. He leaned forward and reached for my hand.

“I love you,” he breathed, and my heart spun merrily in my chest. “I want to make a life with you. Here, in Caldwell Crossing. If you’ll have me. Have us.”

“You had me at sunshine,” I choked out through a tight throat, and I cut off his chuckle with my lips on his. I pulled back and whispered, “I love you, too.”

A loud sniff drew my attention, but I didn’t look for the source until Dallas glanced over my shoulder and grinned. I turned to see my mom and dad standing arm in arm on the patio, watching us with happiness radiating from them. My mom put a hand to her chest. Even Bailey, who sat at their feet with his tongue hanging out, looked like he was smiling.

I shook my head and turned back to Dallas.

“Come home with me,” I said into his ear, earning a shudder that made me smile.

He nodded and launched from his chair so fast it tipped over, taking the guitar with it.

“Sorry,” he called out and righted the chair, setting the guitar on the seat.

Taking his hand, I led him across the yard, hoping my parents would settle for a quick goodnight so I could get Dallas into my bed. Alas, a speedy exit was not to be.

After Dad gave me a hearty hug, he pulled a startled Dallas into his strong arms. Mom touched my arm, her eyes glistening as she gazed up at me.

“Please don’t cry, Mom.” I slid an arm over her shoulders and tucked her to my side.

“He’s perfect, and his daughter is an angel,” she said with a wistful note in her voice. “I don’t think we could have chosen anyone better. Make sure you do right by them.”

I slid my gaze over to Dallas and Dad, deep in conversation.

“I will do my best,” I said, and planted a soft kiss on the top of her head.

“You better go get your man before your father takes him into the study to show off his Hot Wheels collection.”

“Oh no, Dad will have him in there for hours,” I groaned. Dad loved his little die-cast car collection. The cars were little; the collection, not so much.

“Goodnight, Mom.”

“Goodnight, sweetheart.”

When I could finally drag Dallas from Dad, we hustled the few blocks from their house to mine.

I swung my front door open and pulled him inside, our mouths locked in kisses that felt like it had been years since the last time our lips had met—frantic, needy, passionate. I kicked the door closed with my heel and flipped on the hall light with my elbow, the both of us pausing long enough to toe off our sneakers.

He ground against me, my back to the wall, and his shorts-trapped length was as hard and demanding as mine. I growled into his mouth, unsure if we were going to get to the bedroom in time or strip down right there in the hallway.

“Fuck, you’re so sexy,” he rasped, as I angled him toward my room.

---