Page 102 of Make Mine Sweet
Being so at home in Ian’s arms.
I love the fearless side of me, too.
THIRTY-FOUR
IAN
The sun rising over Denali.The Milky Way stretching out over Mount Shasta. Glaciers atop Mount Rainier. I’ve seen a lot of magnificent sights, but nothing compares to having Tess in my arms. Her bright smile soaks through my skin until I’m made of it, happiness by osmosis.
I look past her out the back door to where August is kicking a ball with Dutch in the yard. Pretty sure I heard him declare the dog the World Cup winner, the adorable kid.
“You should celebrate,” I tell Tess. Making custom cakes is a huge deal for her.
She tilts her head to the side, pretending to think. “Maybe I should throw a party.”
“Definitely.”
“With barbecue and cake.”
“Always a good combo.”
She chuckles. “And presents.”
“Only for August, right?” Even if we share a birthday, this get together is supposed to be about him. I don’t need anything more than what I’ve got right here.
Her mouth ticks up. “And party hats.”
I frown at her. “Seems unnecessary.”
“Mandatory.”
“I object.”
She leans a fraction closer. “There might be incentive to wear a party hat.”
My fingers tighten on her side. “I’m listening.”
She slowly moves in to press a kiss to my mouth. Soft, sweet, brief—not nearly enough.
“That’s a quarter of a party hat kiss.”
Her laugh exhales over my jaw. “I guess we’d better go for the whole hat.”
She kisses me again, lingering this time. I let her lead, savoring the moment she sets aside her initial timidity for boldness. Her hands come up to my sides but retreat after contacting my bare skin. I slip both of mine around to her back as well as I can while still maintaining my balance on the crutches.
When she walked in, it was like being caught naked. Maybe the wrong comparison, since I’ve never really minded being seen that way. But being caught without my prosthesis on is an all-new ballgame. For half a second, I wanted to escape to my bedroom and secure my leg back on.
But Tess’s gaze warmed so quickly, I realized she wasn’t bothered by anything she was seeing. Or not seeing. I don’t need to keep anything from her because she accepts me exactly as I am.
Her hands return to my sides. Tentative, maybe, but steady. I love watching her learn to let go—in all ways, but especially with me. She deepens the kiss, and just like that, I’m lost. Nothing exists outside of Tess. Her mouth, her hands, her soft little sighs against my skin.
Until August squeals in the yard.
She draws back, robbing me of her touch. But the spark in her eyes as she gazes at me is a prize all its own.
“I told August we were supposed to relax before the next party.” Her mouth tilts to the side. “I don’t think either of us are doing a good job with that.”
“I have no complaints.”
