“It sounds like you came back to Liberty Falls to pursue what’s in your heart,” I say. “And I’m only part of the equation.”
There’s silence for a moment, and I don’t think he’s going to answer me. But then he says, “I’ve felt really lost, Olive. I love Dee as a father. I do. But the way my mom kept it all so underground, because of how things happened…it’s like I’ve had this…”
“I get it. It’s a hole you need to fill.”
I reach over and put my arms around him.
His mouth tips up in a sexy grin. “I didn’t get a chance to tell you earlier—you look super sexy today.”
“Thanks,” I say. “I dressed up for you.”
He runs his fingers through my hair. “I want you. I’ve wanted to do this all damn day.” His mouth covers mine again, and this time, we don’t stop.
Jenson controls the angle of the kiss with his hand that’s tangled in my hair.
“Harder,” he mutters into my mouth. “Don’t hold back, Olive. Give it to me.”
Our tongues are wild as we kiss each other with abandon. It’s urgent and out of control. Jenson’s free hand goes to my waist where he slips his hand underneath my shirt and scrapes his rough palm over my burning-hot skin.
“Something’s different,” he murmurs. “We’re different this time.”
He’s right. We’ve always been like this, passionate and electric together. But I feel something different too every time we touch, something more. I have since he’s been back.
“Maybe because we’re not holding back anymore,” I say as he pulls me onto his lap. “Because we’re both adults this time.”
He sucks on my neck and moves his lips lower.
“I hated seeing that jerk flirt with you,” he says as he trails kisses down my collarbone.
“It doesn’t mean anything, and I didn’t flirt back,” I say on a moan.
“I know. But it doesn’t mean I like it. And my mom—she tried to set me up with an old high school classmate before you got to the fair.”
He moves his hand up my bare stomach and grazes the curve of my breast.
“Oh, God. J…” I barely remember what he was saying. Oh right, something about family wanting to set him up. Well, that’s the story of my summer.
Jenson’s fingers slip underneath my bra cup, and he tugs lightly at my nipple. I moan into his shoulder, trying to keep my voice down.
Our behavior is getting riskier. Even though we’re hidden behind a stand of trees, we’re in broad daylight. But the danger just makes it more exciting, more of a turn-on.
Movement behind a nearby tree catches my eye. But when I look more closely, I don’t see anything.
Hmmm. Weird.
Before I can say anything to Jenson—
“Noooooo!”
We break apart and stand up. Jenson hurries to make sure my shirt is smoothed down, and then we run toward the sound of the high-pitched, agonized scream. When we emerge from the cover of the forest and I see what’s going on, my heart comes up into my throat.
Auntie Sue is slowly rolling in her wheelchair down the grassy hill in the town square. Matilda’s chasing after her, but before she can catch her, the wheelchair tips over and crashes on top of Auntie Sue. And then…silence.
“Oh, no.” I bring my hand to my mouth.
“I’ll call 911,” Jenson says immediately.