Her eyes sparkled but she clamped down on a smile. “No. Yesterday was my day. Today is about you.”
Everyone hugged me then. Even the ones who never hugged me. Today was a day for a little more and that was okay. Mom, Theo, and Charlie came back for a second round.
Charlie’s hand was on her hip. “You’re finally going to be home with us?”
“Yes.” I beamed. For the last two weeks, Mom had watched them while I finished my classes. The kids were dying to be at our new house on Ford’s ranch full-time. My work-from-home editing job started Monday morning. Like any working woman, I wouldn’t get to spend every minute with them, but as they ran around Ford’s ranch, exploring and playing, I’d be there to make sure they were safe. We already bought a set of walkie-talkies. And I’d be there for hugs and snacks too. We’d moved in last week and it already felt like a little piece of paradise.
I ruffled Charlie’s hair. “I can’t wait.”
Everyone went quiet, gazes focused on something behind me. I turned my head to see what they were looking at. I didn’t make it all the way around before I was lifted off my feet and crushed against Ashton.
And then his mouth crashed over mine. My eyes widened for a split second and then fluttered closed. My hands slid up his chest and curved around his neck, my lips pliant against his.
Everyone gasped. And then laughter broke out. Ford hooted. And then Holden.
“It’s about dang time!” Brooklyn said.
“Yes!” They all cheered.
“This isn’t the end of the Ashton-Tally Smackdown though, is it?” Christy cried.
“Course not,” Silas replied. “They’re going to be even more spicy now. You watch.”
All the while, Ashton never stopped kissing me. I smiled against his lips and he matched me. For a half second before hekissed me again. I stiffened at the crackle that tickled my entire belly like bolts of energy in a plasma ball. A surge of heady want pulsed through me and my erogenous zones hummed again. I slid my hands up into his hair and kissed him with an intensity that should’ve embarrassed me. But it didn’t. This was what I’d asked for and it was exactly what I wanted.
This was where I belonged.
A low rumbling sound vibrated in his throat before setting me on my feet, reluctantly pulling his mouth away. Then, his arms still around me, his forehead to mine—we stood there, wrapped around each other, savoring this moment.
The moment when Ashton and Tally finally began.
Everyone was quietly watching us. I could feel it.
Still glued to me, Ash lifted his hand, shooing everyone away. “Go. Have conversations. We need a minute.”
They laughed but did as he said, turning from us and talking loudly about how they wanted to get out of the heat and into some AC. And about how hungry they were. And how scandalous public displays of affection are.
I’m pretty sure Ashton didn’t hear any of it, he was so focused on me.
I tapped my nose against his. “So, I guess you liked the chapter I wrote.”
“You were getting that kiss before I read a single word.” His head tipped to the side. “I love you aside from all of that. I hope you know that. The fact that you’re Austen is just a bonus.” His arms tightened around me even more. “And the only reason I stopped kissing you is because there are children present.”
I ran my fingers over his cheeks. “Whatever you say, Professor Dupree.”
“I amnotyour professor anymore,” he growled.
I laughed. “No. No, you are not.”
“The drought ends.” His breath ghosted over my neck.
I placed another peck on his mouth. “You’ll have to write me a new poem.”
“Mhmm,” he murmured. “I can’t believe you wroteandposted the chapter without my ok.” I’d never done that before. Neither had he. We always went over our chapters together before we published them for the world to see.
I leaned back to look at him. “I wanted to surprise you.”
The way he was watching me was so serious and intense that it almost hurt to look at. “Well, you did.”
