Page 28 of One More Kiss

“…permission to court your mother,” Steve said. He opened the barn door.

I snorted at his antiquated language as I approached. Like he—or I--needed Cam’s permission to develop a relationship. Still, his desire to ensure our kids were happy made me love him more.

Cam’s gaze flashed to mine, humor sizzling in his eyes. “I don’t think Mama’s going to agree with you there about needing my permission, but for what it’s worth, I know you’re a good man. So do Carter and Kate, and Kate’s been talking my ear off about how good you’ll be for Mama.” Cam reached over and squeezed Steve’s thick shoulder. “Keeping Nash in line when he was in his self-destruct stage wasn’t easy. Taking his lip’s even harder, but you were there, solid and sure, through it all. That’s what I want for my mama. A man who cares for her and won’t back away from whatever challenges life tosses at you.”

Steve offered Cam his hand, and the two men shook while I cooled my heels a few feet away. Steve turned toward me, a thick blond eyebrow raised, as Cam headed into the barn.

“Fancy finding you out here,” I said.

Cam chuckled from the tack room. “Now that that’s put away, I’m going to fetch my lovely bride and my boy.”

I rose on tiptoe and swiped a kiss along Steve’s stubbled cheek. Cam hugged me before sauntering off toward the Big House. Jenna waved to him from the porch before she set Cash on his feet. The little boy churned his sturdy legs, squealing as he ran to his father. Cam picked him up, hugging him tight, before holding open his free arm to his wife. Jenna settled against his side and they headed toward their place all entwined. My heart tugged with love at the sight of them.

“Get what you came for?” I asked, finally tearing my gaze away and glancing up at Steve.

He’d been staring down at me, his expression intense. He shook his head slowly.

I shoved my hands into my back pockets. “All right. I’ll bite. What did you want?”

He snagged an arm around my waist and reeled me closer. “You. Us. My bed, your bed. Together.”

I lifted my arms and wrapped them around his neck. “I like how you think, Sergeant.”

His eyes smoldered. “I like that you know my rank.”

I trailed my fingers down the center of his chest, next to the buttons of his crisply ironed dress shirt. He’d made such an effort just to talk to my son. His desire to do right by us warmed my heart. “I know lots of things.”

“Do you now?”

“Yep.” I popped the “P”. I leaned in closer so that our noses brushed. Steve inhaled sharply. “Wanna guess one of them?”

He groaned softly.

“Wrong answer.” I nipped his ear lobe, pleased when he gripped me tighter. A warm pulse in my core made me shiver.

“What’s that, Jasmine?”

I slid my chest against his as I rose up enough to put my lips to his ear. “I love you.”

He tightened his hold even more though he was careful not to dig in his fingers. I felt like prized porcelain—treasured and treated with utmost care.

We were products of our pasts, of secrets and trauma, and that’s what made us who we were. He kissed me, slow and sultry with a hint of sweetness that left me hotter and more than ready for some naked time.

We broke apart, panting. Jagged need curled from my core and I bit my lip to keep from crying out. I wanted him. Now.

As I reached for him, he pulled back, just enough to look into my eyes. “And I love you, Jasmine. You have me—all of me.”

I smiled and kissed him again. Our tongues danced. My body thrummed with need.

Breaking the kiss, Steve lifted me in his arms and carried me up the porch steps. I opened the door to the kitchen, and he inhaled.

“I love how your kitchen smells.”

I rested my cheek against his shoulder and wound my arms around his neck, content. He shoved the door shut with his foot and trod through the kitchen and living area to the stairs. I marveled at the ease with which he carried me.

“That room,” I said, directing him to the bedroom I’d claimed as my own years before. He settled me on my feet and I tipped my head back, waiting for his kiss. He obliged, stroking his tongue against mine.

When we came up for air, my body tingled with need. He pressed his thumb between my lips, so I flicked my tongue over the pad. He groaned and lust tightened his features.

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