Page 105 of How You See Me
“Open it.”
“Don’t rush me,” she teases, her fingers tracing the edges. “I’m savoring the experience. I can’t remember the last time I got a gift that wasn’t for my birthday or Christmas. And those were usually from Jordan.”
“No one else?”
How can anyone spend five minutes with this woman and not want to give her the world? Bunch of assholes.
“My ex wasn’t exactly the thoughtful type, and you’ll understand when you meet Grant. He’s the only one who’s ever tried.”
“You want me to meet your friend?”
Her face whips toward me like she’s surprised I’d even ask. “Of course. He already thinks you’re hot, so he’ll be proud of me for locking you down.”
A laugh bursts outof me. “What?”
“Remember when he dared me to ask you to dance?”
“Yeah.”
“He said you reminded him of a sexy lumberjack and that I could use a little something woodsy in my life.” Pink blooms on her cheeks. “If you catch the meaning.”
“Wow. I’m speechless. What kind of friend is this?”
“The best kind. Loud, inappropriate, loyal. It’s just hard to recognize it if you don’t know him. He called me ‘Queen Josie’ after our dance since I conquered your entire table of admirers.”
“I think I could have done without that story.”
She laughs, lifting the box top, but it’s cut off by a gasp. “Don’t tell me it’s—”
“Red velvet cake with rainbow sprinkles and cream cheese icing.”
“Where—how?”
“The B&B staff whipped it up while we . . .” I clear my throat. “Cleaned up.”
Her jaw drops open.
“I wanted to do something to put a smile back on your face.”
“Oh, Hayes, my sexy lumberjack.” She bats her lashes at me. “You had already done that in the shower and in the bedroom and on the couch. This gift is the sprinkles on top of the best ice cream I’ve ever tasted. The icing on the most perfect red velvet cake.”
“Are you saying I’m both the ice cream and the cake?”
“Of course. You’rethe best part.”
Her words touch something deep inside me, and as our eyes meet, desire snaps into the air.
I yank the van off the side of the road and kill the engine. “Come here.”
She doesn’t ask why. Just sets the box on the floor and climbs into my lap. “I never knew I could be this happy.”
Her fingers weave through my hair as I gently trail my hands up her back, mindful of her bruises. After kissing each one this morning and observing how they moved with her above me, I’ve memorized them all.
I know which ones hurt the most and which look worse than they feel. They’re reminders of her grace, her fire, her strength, and they’ve only deepened my admiration for her. She is unstoppable, and I am completely in awe.
“I'm happy to.” Tightening one arm around her, I rise off the seat and drop us both onto the mattress. “Let me show you how much.”
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