“I’ll help CC with dessert,” I say in a gusty breath, standing in a rush as all eyes land on me.
Mrs. Sundstrom gestures with a wave for me to sit back down.
“Nonsense, Jase. You’re our guest and that’s not needed.”
But I shake my head and follow in the direction CC went, finding her at the kitchen counter with her back to me.
The door swings closed on its hinges, the squeak of it alerting her to my presence.
This may be the only chance I get to be alone with her. To tell her how much I’ve missed her. They way I’ve always felt about her. How I only realized it once I was gone and it was too late. My tongue is inconveniently tied up in knots as I stand frozen in the middle of the galley like a deer in headlights. Thankfully, she’s bold enough to address the elephant in the room.
“You kissed me and then left me, Jase.” She turns suddenly, wielding a very large knife, dripping bits of pumpkin pie on the floor as she pivots toward me. “Do you know what that does to a teenage girl’s psyche?”
A gurgle of laughter lodges in my throat over the contrast of the serious tone in her voice versus the dollop of whip cream on the end of her nose.Cute but deadly. Taking a cautious step forward, I hold my arms up in surrender, employing a tactic I learned in my time in service. When in any sort of standoff, physical or otherwise, the trick is to make your opponent feel comfortable before you strike.
“You can murder me with that if you want, Cecelia. And I probably deserve your wrath. But with a room full of witnesses out there, you might not get away with it.” I lift an amused brow and motion my head toward the doorway.
As if it finally dawns on her, she tracks my gaze with bewildered eyes to the knife in her hand. She covers her gaping mouth with the other hand and shakes her head. Turning, she places it down behind her and drops her forehead into her palm.
Her laugh is a startled chuckle. “Oh my God, you must think I’m batshit crazy.”
It’s been a long while since I’ve last seen or been near Cecelia, but I’d never think that. My feet blindly move toward her on their own accord and I’m suddenly surrounded by the botanical scent of her skin. A little floral with some pumpkin spice sprinkled in for good measure. My entire body is hungry for her.
I continue my slow momentum until my face is inches from hers. I cage her in with my arms bracing me against the counter. The heat of her body magically penetrates mine through layers of clothing, burning me up like I’m in the oven set on bake.
She won’t meet my gaze, but bites down on her lip with uncertainty. Her pulse point at the base of her neck thrums and thumps, and I want to bend down to suck on it. Lick her soft, sultry skin and inhale her delicious scent.
I stop myself from doing any of that but do duck my head to her ear and whisper my misgivings.
“You’re not the crazy one, here, Cecelia. I am. I’m crazy for ever leaving you without an explanation. I’ve always had a thing for you.”
Her breathy gasp has my smile broadening, knowing I’m getting through to her and that maybe she might have similar feelings.
“Wh-what do you mean?”
Encroaching on her space even further, I tilt my hips so my erection connects with the heat of her center, covered only by a gauzy skirt, pinning her with my body against the granite.
“That kiss we shared…it’s the best damn thing I’ve ever had. I’ve never forgotten the feel of your lips. Or your taste…goddamn, CC. You had me whipped up so hard and you didn’t know it. I want it again.Right now.”
Pulling back so I can see her face, my head bent, I dart my tongue out to flick the sweet cream on the end of her pert nose. It gives me so many suggestive ideas I let out a groan.
I’m just about to go in for my second helping to reenact that kiss we shared when the door swings open and Chris pushes his way into the kitchen, his back toward us, carrying an armful of dishes.
Although I’m able to step back to provide an appropriate modicum of space, I still feel the weight of CC’s breasts where they pressed against my chest. I place my hand over the spot in the wake of the loss.
Chris turns and shoves the plates in my hands.
“Hurry up and get dessert served. We’re going bowling!”
Bowling. Shit, I forgot.
It’s our family’s annual Thanksgiving tradition and something we’ve done every year since I was a young kid. It’s normally something I’m excited about, loving the friendly competition and festive mood.
But right now, after that hot encounter with Jase, it’s the furthest thing from my mind. Not when my entire body is jumbled up and wanting what he was offering me. Hungry for that kiss he was just about to give me before my brother so rudely interrupted.
I shake off my lustful thoughts and think fast. How can I get us out of this? What can I say that will keep me home alone with Jase? Because that rocket in his pants was not my imagination and my teenage dreams deserve to be played out. Just this once.
I rub an invisible spot on my temple, grimacing a little for added affect. “You know, I feel a migraine coming on. Probably from all the carb overload. Maybe I can stay back and clean up the kitchen and then lay down for a bit. I can catch up with you guys later.”
