If nothing else, I deserve fun. That much I can agree with, and maybe I can live with just something fun and casual.
Not every relationship needs to lead to the altar.
I wasn’t totally lying when I said I wanted to see Tater, though. An odd sensation washes over me when all these things crash into my brain at once. A relief that they cared for Tater while I’m not around, and also relief that Hunter basically gave me permission to just have fun.
Not that I needed permission, but…maybe I sort of did.
“I’ll text you if I’m not coming home.”
“All right.” He slaps his hands to his thighs and stands. “Have a good night.”
Hunter gathers his things and leaves me in the office. It’s 9 P.M., but I’ve been going hard since 6 A.M., with the only real break coming when Diamond showed up at suppertime. It’s thenI remember I tucked the cookie he made me into my pocket, and I pull it out to have a snack.
Mmm, banana.
Taking a bite, I savour the cookie that was him ‘trying something new’ and finally admit to myself that it was just for me and recognize his small gestures for what they are.
“Am I interrupting?” Diamond’s voice in the doorway pulls me from my thoughts, and I push out all the noise in my head completely for the first time since arriving here.
“No, you’re just in time.”
eleven
Diamond
Rhett’s voice is rough and low. It sends a shiver through me, and hopefully it means what I hope it means.
“Am I?”
My voice carries the confidence I’d hoped it would. Thank god for Hunter’s pep talk earlier. He might sometimes be a bit of a bulldog with the men I date, but when he sat down and told me point-blank he hoped Rhett and I weren’t just going to be a one-time thing, I nearly fell over.
He’s been a good friend to me, but I never expected him to endorse whatever I’m doing with Rhett. At least not so soon and easily. I suspect his impending parenthood has a lot to do with it. That kid doesn’t know it yet, but he just found a home most people can only dream of.
Rhett dusts his hands and stands. The eyes I’m infatuated with don’t seem as conflicted as before. “The cookie was delicious,” he says and takes a step closer to me.
“I’m glad you liked it. I made it for you.”
“I know.” He takes another step closer, and the air between us practically crackles. “I didn’t get what I wanted before my break ended.”
“Oh? And what’s that?”
Please, dear baby Jesus, make it be a kiss.
Rhett closes the space between us, and his calloused palm slides along my neck. The simple touch sparks a long-dormant want inside me. “A kiss.”
“Fuck, thank god. Yes. Please.”
His lips lift in a soft smile that instantly melts my heart before he brings his lips to mine. He’s soft and gentle at first, both of us tentative. I’m never nervous, but my stomach flips and my hands sweat as I kiss him back.
My hands slide up his chest, resting on his shoulders as he pulls away from my lips and rests his forehead on mine.
“I want more of this. More of you,” he breathes.
“We want the same thing, Rhett.” My hands find the way into his hair, still flattened from his cowboy hat, and the man nearly purrs when my nails cross his scalp.
This time, his kiss is more demanding, both hands now holding my face and tilting my head back to take what he wants. And I give him everything because I want the same.
When we finally part again, my entire soul aches for more. More kissing, more skin, more touches, and more of just being with the man. I’d watch him do his taxes if it meant we could be in the same room.
