“Hungry?” he asks without turning, flipping another pancake.
“Smells good.” I step closer and grab the powdered sugar. Before I can think, I smear a streak across his nose.
He freezes, then licks it from my finger, slow and deliberate. My cheeks heat instantly.
“Cas!” I squeal, swatting at him, but he only grins and pulls me in for a quick, teasing kiss.
“I like you in my hoodie,” he murmurs, tilting my chin up.
“Really?” I breathe, still tasting sugar.
“Absolutely,” he says, grinning. “Cute. Distracting. Completely mine whenever I want.”
The sugar and batter escalate into a playful food fight. Powdered sugar drifts through the air, pancakes stick to our fingers, and syrup ends up on the countertops, and on each other. Laughter fills the kitchen, echoing in the morning sunlight.
Eventually, we settle at the table, sticky and out of breath, plates piled high with pancakes. I bite into mine, still giggling at the chaos. Cas leans back in his chair, wiping syrup from his chin with the back of his hand, eyes twinkling.
I smear a dab of chocolate sauce on his lower lip, and he licks it off before kissing me, letting me taste the sweetness from his lips. My stomach flutters, and I laugh against him.
I fork a bite of pancake and glance at him, syrup smudged on his cheek. “I think we need another shower now,” I say, grinning.
Cas groans dramatically, leaning back in his chair. “Already? You’re impossible.”
I laugh, reaching across the table to swipe powdered sugar from his chin. He swats my hand away, playful and exasperated, but the warmth, the laughter, and the easy intimacy between us… this is exactly where I belong.
CHAPTER 18
Casper
The whole town smells like cinnamon and woodsmoke. By the time I pull the truck onto Main, the glow of string lights spills across Penny’s face.
She leans forward in the passenger seat, whiskey eyes wide, lips parting as the music drifts through the cool night air, laughter rolling easy and warm.
Penny looks like she’s stepped straight out of a storybook. Pink cheeks from the October chill, the scent of peach and vanilla clinging to her skin, and that wild red hair catching the light like fire.
“This is…” she breathes, almost reverent.“It’s perfect.”
I grin, killing the engine.“Welcome to the Lander Harvest Gathering.”
I walk around and open her door, offering my hand. She doesn’t need help, but hell if I can stop touching her. Not after last night. Not after the way she let me in. I think I’ve found my new favorite pastime: making Penny come undone.
And tonight? She’s in that little country dress she picked herself. Boots on her legs, fabric swishing just right when she steps down, like she was made for this place. No one told her to go country; she just said she loved it, loved how it made her feel. And damn if I’m not all for it. The only thing missing is a white Stetson, and I’m already planning to buy her the prettiest one I can find.
She catches me staring and blushes, ducking her head. God, she has no idea what she does to me.
We weave into the crowd, and the whole Hawthorne clan’s here. Even Jace showed up for a few days. He spots us, lifts his chin from across the square, and starts making his way over. I can’t help smiling.
“So this is the girl who stole my brother’s heart?” Jace drawls, eyes sweeping over Penny with that trademark smirk. Penny blushes, and before I can blink, he’s got her in a bear hug, spinning her around until she squeals.
“Hands off,” I growl.
I’ve never been the jealous type. I know Jace, big flirt, all charm, this is normal. Then why the hell do I suddenly feel like punching him?
“Oooh, he’s possessive,” Jace teases, addressing Penny instead of me. My jaw tightens as I take her hand and pull her back against me, my hands settling at her waist.
“Hello, big brother.” He claps my shoulder and throws an arm around me while I keep Penny tucked close.
“Penny,” I say, giving my brother my best side-eye before looking at her,“meet my little brother, Jace.” I turn back to him, voice edged with warning.“Jace, this is my sunset. Penny.”
