Page 35 of Till The Cows Come Home
We finished the rest of the dishes in comfortable silence and as we approached the living room, we stumbled upon herparents nodding off together on the couch. Sage’s giggle startled them awake, and I pinched her for waking them.
“Sorry honey, the older I get, the earlier my bedtime is. Having you back in the house just made things so cozy.”
Gale yawned as she stood, pulling Sage and I into a group hug.
“Thank you for dinner, mom,” Sage mumbled into her mother’s neck.
“Thank you for giving us a chance,” her mother mumbled back.
After Gale finally released us, Sage sauntered over to her father, quickly engulfed in an embrace that seemed long overdue. I stepped back, allowing them their privacy, trying my best to ignore the mumbled conversation they exchanged, and after a few moments Sage stepped back, nodding in what seemed like an agreement.
“I’ll walk you to the door,” Stu offered, turning to lead the way.
After our final goodbyes we left, and in the rearview mirror was Stu and Gale, standing together on the porch, embracing each other as they watched us pull away. My heart warmed as we drove down the road, and I noticed a small smile illuminated by the moon dancing across Sage’s face.
When we pulled into my driveway a few minutes later, I parked, but neither of us moved. It was Sage’s seat belt unbuckling that finally broke the silence, followed by the small commotion she created as she climbed over the center console onto my lap. After successfully straddling me, she sat back just enough to scour my eyes for approval, and when I nodded she leaned in, pressing her lips against mine. That same familiar hum vibrated against my lips, parting them slightly until her tongue swept across them, teasing.
“I’ll walk you in?” she asked, and my heart pounded as I nodded in agreement.
When we reached the porch, we weren’t quite ready to part, so instead we sat, appreciating the cadence of peepers while rocking idly on the porch swing.
“Show me,” she whispered.
“Show you what?”
“Show me everything you’ve been holding back.”
Chapter Sixteen
Sage
The sweet mix of Miles supporting me through an evening with my parents and the edge smoothing wine had me lowering my barriers. I appreciated wading through whatever this was, reins firmly in my hand, but I couldn’t help the thoughts that ran through my head, urging me to find out what would happen if I just let go. As soon as the words left my lips, a shiver of nerves vibrated across my skin, anticipating whatever was going to happen next.
Miles' feet planted firmly on the deck, bringing the swing to an abrupt stop, and the sudden force propelled me forward until my ass was at the edge of the bench. I sucked in a breath, bracing for what I expected to be a passionate impact, but he just stood, holding out a hand.
“Stand up, sweetheart.”
Obeying, I stood on unsure feet, and as soon as I reached my full height, his hand met my neck, cupping it gently until his lips met mine. The kiss had started as our previous, slow and gentle, but instead of waiting for my lead, he took charge, skirting his tongue across my bottom lips until I opened to the invitation. He deepened the kiss, tilting my head until hethoroughly consumed my mouth, and as he pulled away, my chest heaved, attempting to catch the breath he’d stolen.
“Want the reins back?” he whispered, searching my eyes for any hint of hesitation.
I shook my head, stepping forward so my chest pressed against his. If that kiss was any indication of what I was missing out on, I’d curse myself for how tightly I’d held onto them in the first place. Chuckling, he leaned in, peppering my neck with short kisses.
“Good. If you want them back, all you have to do is ask.”
Without warning, he scooped me into his arms, and I let out a squeal as he began his trek with me in tow. He carried me all the way through the house, walking straight to his bedroom, and as we reached his bed, he lowered me back to my feet.
None of his movements were rushed, as if he had carefully calculated what he’d do if this opportunity ever arose, and taking his time was at the top of the list. Even the speed at which he leaned in was leisurely, his lips ever so gently grazing against mine before gradually consuming me in gentle waves. Each time I thought we’d reached the crest, he’d slow, continuing the cyclical pattern of my undoing.
Every ounce of desire I’d ignored hit me at once, and I found my fingers fiddling with his buttons, desperate to minimize the space between us. With one shrug of his shoulders, his shirt hit the floor, and the sight of his bare chest sent a pulse of arousal through my body. I’d only ever seen Miles’ body from afar, but up close was a whole new experience. My body longed to feel his against me, and so I began hastily undoing my own buttons.
“Easy,” he hummed, gently batting my hands away.
Miles took over, steadily unbuttoning my shirt until it fell amongst his on thefloor.
“Sit.”
My subordinance was rewarded with his lips on mine again, his body lowering onto me until I was caged between his arms on the bed. He held his own weight as he hovered over me, kissing me deeper and deeper until he pulled away. But before I could protest his absence, he began placing kisses on my neck, then my stomach until he reached my hips. Delicious attention was paid to every inch of my body while he slid my pants down, and I propped myself onto my elbows, expecting him to reveal more of himself, but instead time seemed to slow as the lumberjack dropped to his knees.
