Her lips twitch, fighting a smile. “Maverick…” Her voice dips, soft, and something raw slips out before she can stop it. “This… actually means more than I can say.”
Her words hit me in my chest, knocking the air out of me. She blinks quickly, as if she regrets saying it, but I don’t call her on it; I just let my grin grow wider until my cheeks hurt.
“Yeah?” I murmur, stepping closer until I can smell the lilies on her skin. “Good. I’m not finished yet. Whatever you want, dollface, I’ll bring it to life.”
She huffs a laugh, shaking her head, but she doesn’t step back when I brush past her to grab a lily, twirling it dramatically before bowing low. “For you, madam. The impossible, made possible by yours truly.”
Nightfall hits,and I’m losing my mindddd.
Amelia’s in the kitchen, barefoot and wearing one of her oversized shirts that barely hits her thighs. Her damp hair hangs over one shoulder, and Rex is curled around her ankles. She bends down to scratch behind his ears, and I swear to God, I froth at the mouth.
I push a hand through my hair, stumbling toward her like a man starved. “Amelia.”
She looks up, twirling the lillies between her fingers, the other still scratching Rex’s ear. “What?” she asks, voice soft, teasing.
“I need to kiss you, like actually kiss you, not that bullshit peck we had at our wedding.”
Her brows lift. “Fake wedding, and no. ”
“Please,” I cut in, “I’ve been losing my goddamn mind since you moved in. Every time you walk past me in those little leggings or bite your lip, I can’t take it anymore. Just let me kiss you. Once. Please.”
She quirks an eyebrow. “Desperate much?”
“Absolutely.” I grin, but it’s shaky. My hands are damn near trembling. “Come on, dollface. We’re married, remember? We should practice. Make it believable.”
She lets out a low scoff, letting go of the lily. “Fine,” she says, stepping closer, eyes narrowing with a playful gleam. “Show me what you got, quarterback.”
Jesus, I might as well just go fuck my hand later.
I drop the grin and scoop her up, my arms beneath her thighs, while the other wraps around her back. She gasps,instinctively gripping my shoulders as I carry her into the living room.
“God, you’re such a showoff,” she mutters, breathless.
“You love it,” I murmur as I lower her onto the couch, hovering just above her. My nose brushes hers, our mouths barely inches apart. “You know you want me, dollface.”
“And, just for the record,” I whisper against her ear, “I’m gonna ruin you for every other man with just one kiss.”
“Wow. Big words, Hayes.”
She doesn’t say anything else as she leans up and gives me a single, soft peck.
I blink. “That’s it?”
She shrugs, her green eyes gleaming. “You said one kiss.”
My jaw clenches. “No,” I growl, dipping down. “I said I needed to kiss you.”
My mouth crashes against hers, and the second she parts her lips, I lose every last ounce of restraint I’ve been holding on to.
Her taste floods my senses—minty from the gum she constantly chews, sweet like the vanilla sweet cream she drinks, and warm in a way that feels like home and heat all at once.
My tongue finds hers, teasing and tasting with the desperation of a man who’s spent years starving for this.
For her.
She lets out a breathy moan, and it damn near breaks me. Her fingers fist the front of my T-shirt as she yanks me closer. I slide my hand beneath the hem of her oversized tee, my palm skimming the bare soft skin of her waist, fucking perfect.
She gasps into my mouth, and the sound that leaves her is going to haunt me. My other hand cradles the back of herhead, keeping her mouth on mine because I’m not ready to let go, not when she’s finally in my arms.
