Page 82 of New York Love Stories: Vol. 2

“I have other ideas on how you can reward me, but if those aren’t on the table, I’ll take the next best thing.” I take her perfectly made treat and head out back.

Tealey starts laughing and is quick to follow.

Tonight after dinner is about the same as last night, except we stay around the firepit.

Cammie has made a concerted effort not to worry. Or maybe she just hides her stress well. The guys and I tossed a football around for a while after eating too much, but now we’re enjoyingthe clear-sky night and the sound of the waves crashing onto the shore.

My mom’s gone to bed, and the gang seems to be winding up.

Cammie pokes Cade over with her toe. “You guys were rambunctious tonight.”

“Every night,” Marlow adds.

Jackson sits on the arm of her chair and rubs her shoulders. “You love it, and you know it.”

Marlow laughs. “You say that, but I really don’t. I like my men like my wine?—”

“Palatable?” he jokes. “Or rich?”

“Both.” She grins unapologetically. “But I was going to say strong, bold, and with depth.” Pushing him off her chair, she says, “Basically, the opposite of you, you big lug.”

Though their fighting is entertaining, my mind is elsewhere. I still haven’t had a chance to talk to her about our arrangement or ask Tealey how we want to handle ours. I’m hoping I can put at least one of these conversations to rest tonight.

We’re among our friends, shooting the shit like we’ve done a thousand times before, yet it’s Tealey I’m drawn to. Seeing her snuggled inside the sweatshirt that practically swallows her whole, I get it. Her lips part, and although I can’t hear her, I reply, “Hi.”

I keep my eyes on the beauty across from me who’s leaning back in the chair, head tilted to the side with heavy eyelids. Conspiratorially, I nod toward the house. She grins, and I feel like I just won the jackpot. She stands. “I’m going to bed.”

“I’m wiped,” I say, faking a yawn and raising my arms for a good stretch. I call over my shoulder to the group, “Good night.”

A chorus of, “Night,” follows, but the rest is lost in the sound of the ocean. Just out of their sight, I tug her by the shirt, pulling her toward me. “Want me to keep you warm?”

“I want nothing more.”

Holding out a hand, I show her what I brought with us. She laughs. “You brought graham crackers? Deviously delicious.”

“What can I say? I’m still hungry.”

Tealey takes the small package and kisses me quickly before dashing upstairs. I’m right behind her, and this time, I remember to lock the door.

The flirting ends, and the two of us stand there in the light of the small lamp she turned on. The crackers are on the nightstand, and she toes the carpet. “Alone again.”

“Being alone with you is my favorite place to be.” I cross to her and cup her face, kissing her until her hands grab my wrists. Slowly reopening my eyes, I then lean my head against hers. “I’m free to kiss you for as long as I like.”

She kisses the underside of my jaw, “To explore, to date, to be whatever we want to be.”

“Exactly.” Her hands slide down my arms and then to my chest, lower until her hands reach under my shirt. I’m okay with this. I’m more than okay with all of this because it’s with her. It’s something I never thought would happen to me, but I’m starting to see a whole new opportunity. A relationship might actually work out how it’s supposed to, even for a cynic like me.

I kiss her shoulder and then whisper, “Turn around.”

She does a slow spin. I pull the sweatshirt over her head, and when she tugs her socks and pants off, I finally get a good look at her in a bra and pair of white cotton panties.So fucking innocent.

I don’t have as much patience with my own clothes. I’m practically kicking them to the floor until I’m left standing in my boxer briefs.

Tealey’s already climbing into bed when I join her. You’d think after years of keeping my distance that getting into bed with Tealey Bell would feel weird, but it doesn’t.It feels right.

She feels right.

We lie there for a minute, and I assume she has a million things racing through her head like I do. Every thought I have is landing on one theme.

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