I heaved myself upright. I turned the TV off and dumped the remote on the couch. The only light was from the hallway night-light. I left my cane by the base of the stairs and stepped on the side of the first step so it didn’t creak. I wasn’t sneaking up on her, but I also didn’t want my halting footsteps to herald my arrival, for her to open the door and wait and wait while I ascended.
Going up was better than going down, but I braced myself on the railing and wall. When I was at the top, I faced the dark brown wood of the door.
Was this a mistake?
It didn’t matter. She’d tried to be open with me once, and I’d snapped my fangs at her like a wounded animal.
I was a man. She’d made me feel like one earlier tonight.
I knocked on the door and waited. The fist that had knocked was still clenched at my side.
A lamp clicked seconds before the door opened.
Christ, she was an angel in an old Dunn Beef T-shirt she must’ve found in the guest room dresser. She blinked, her pretty lips turned down and her hair a jumbled mess around her shoulders. She let me see her disheveled, and I knew without asking not many people saw Summer unkempt.
“Jonah? What’s wrong?” Her gaze swept behind me, taking in the dark landing.
“Do you know why I was at the wedding?”
Her frown deepened. She wasn’t blinking, like I’d woken her up. She’d been wide awake. Was she as miserable as me? “Your mom made you go?”
“No. I had to make sure you were happy. I told myself it was for Eli, and maybe it was, but your past with him wasn’t the only reason. I had to see you. I had to see if you were really going to be someone else’s woman forever.”
“Why?” One word that was full of so much confusion.
“I don’t know. When I go to town, I look for you. You know that? I fucking peer around every corner like a goddamn stalker.” Why was I telling her this? She’d just told me how stifling Eli had been.
“You do?” She sank against the doorframe, a dreamy smile on her face. “Really?”
“Always. There was never a right time for us, and it was like I had to show myself that... you weren’t meant for me once and for all.”
Her smile dimmed. “And then the wedding got canceled.”
“Yeah, it did.” I crowded closer to her. This wasn’t what I’d come for. I should back off.
“So what does that mean?” She didn’t move away. “I guess it’s not once and for all yet?” She feathered her fingers down a fold in my sweatshirt.
“No. It’s not.” I wrapped a hand around her neck and an arm around her waist and drew her flush with me. I crushed her mouth with mine.
When her arms snaked around my neck, I was done. I wanted her and she wanted me.
Our past was tangled. Our present was complicated. Our future was unknown, but for tonight, I’d get the only woman I’d ever wanted.
Summer
I was surrounded by him. Consumed by him. He slid his tongue along mine in a sensual dance that could make me climax while fully clothed.
Well, I didn’t have a bra or underwear on.
I met his tongue stroke for stroke. His minty toothpaste flavor mingled with mine. His arms banded me to him, and his hard body was pliant compared to the rigid length pressed between us.
When he slid both hands to cup my ass cheeks andbent, I wasn’t ready. He lifted me. I yelped and automatically wrapped my legs around his waist.
“Jonah, don’t you dare hurt yourself before you’re inside me.”
“This is the furthest from pain I feel.” He took sure strides across the room. The lamp’s soft glow was hopefully enough light to make the trek safely. I didn’t want to see him hurt regardless, and I didn’t want to be the reason for it, but I wanted to keep my legs wrapped around him.
“Are you wearing nothing but this shirt, sunshine?”
