Page 49 of Raised On It

She turns in her seat so she has an unencumbered view of me. “What about the annoying stuff. You really have no idea what you’re dealing with.”

When we reach the city limits, the streetlights illuminate the cab of the truck, and her bright eyes surprisingly look much more serious than I expected them to. She really means it. She thinks when I see all sides of her, even the ugly ones, I’ll run. That she won’t be enough.

God, I’d love to obliterate the asshole who made her feel less than for all of those years. Along with her family. Yes, I have a few things to say to them as well.

“Babe, I don’t know how to tell you this, but you’re stuck with me.”

Her breath hitches, and my insides do too. I just told her she was mine—that she was the one—without really telling her any of those things, of course.

She has no idea that I’ve never said this to anyone. That there has never been anyone I’ve wanted to say it to.

When we pull up to the house I run around to let her out before I get a word out, she says, “Come on, Lou!”

She’s not just inviting me in; she’s inviting Lou in as well.

“You sure Katie won’t mind?”

“Well, I’m not gonna let him stay in the truck all by himself until the morning.”

Be still my beating heart.

This woman may like me enough to ask me to stay over, but shelovesmy dog.

She was so worth the wait.

When we reach the front door where I typically leave her with a kiss on the cheek, she unlocks the door, and then oh, so coyly says, “Thanks for the milkshake.” She rises on her toes, and her lips find mine for at least the thirtieth time tonight. Only, this time, it’s not an innocent peck in front of my friends. It’s a fullforce, no-holds-barred, tongues-dancing kiss that says she wants so much more.

Lou pushes his way between our legs, a reminder we’re still on the front porch and haven’t even opened the door. Reaching around her, I turn the doorknob and push the door ajar, guiding us inside.

Lou runs and jumps on the overstuffed chair covered in pillows and blankets like he owns the place. I know Katie wouldn’t be happy to see it.

“Lou, get down right…”

“He’s fine, just leave him.”

She drops her purse and my flannel at her feet and leans against the wall.

“If you say so.” Her chest is heaving up and down while she waits for me against the wall. “How are you doing?”

“I’d be better if we were doing some more of what we were doing out there on the porch.” Her voice is seductive, her chest moving up and down in anticipation and want.

Fuck, she’s killing me right now.

I cave, unable to hold back.

Pinning her against the wall, I press my body lightly against her while my hands hold most of my weight on the wall next to her head. I leisurely kiss her exposed neck, making my way to her earlobe. It was a hot day, and the taste of salt on my lips is fucking delicious. Her hair is still up in her high ponytail, and I can smell the smoke from the fire clinging to it.

I trace the shell of her ear with my tongue. “You like that, City Mouse?”

“Yes.”

“You want me, don’t you, Mason?” I pull back so I can gaze into the ocean of lust-filled emotions looking back at me.

“I do.”

“I knew you’d come around eventually.”

“Is that so?”

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