No holding back this time.
As I move my mouth over hers, she opens hers, inviting me to explore, which I do. She responds in a like manner, as eager to know me this way as I’ve wanted to know her. The ache I’ve feltlonger than I can remember seems to grow and swallow us both, almost as if we’re trying to make up for all the lost years.
“You know, I could leave and let you two have my place for the evening.” Char’s voice breaks in, making us smile against each other’s lips.
Suddenly shy, Bree ducks her chin as she lowers herself to the ground.
I plant a gentle kiss on her hairline, inhaling her sweet scent again. “Thanks, but we have plans.”
Then I grab Bree’s hand and lead her to my truck, and for the life of me, I can’t stop smiling.
Knowing we had much to discuss, I drove to the Turtle Tide first to grab takeout so we could find a quiet place on the beach to eat and talk.
Puffy clouds highlighted in bright yellow and orange hover above the darkening ocean that glimmers with the setting sun. Our food mostly gone now, we’re perched on top of a picnic table nestled under some tall pines with our feet on the bench as a soft breeze wafts through her hair, lifting the loose tendrils framing her face in a delicate dance.
She pulled most of her hair into a large clip to keep it from blowing into her mouth as she ate, which exposed her neck. I haven’t been able to stop touching her in some way all evening, as if I need to make sure she’s really here and this isn’t a dream. Soft touches to her hand, her face, and her neck, where my thumb sweeps a path over the sensitive skin there.
Bree leans into my touch while slipping a french fry into her mouth, smiling at me as she chews. I can’t stop watching that freckle move on her lower lip until I finally lean in and kissher right there—something I’ve always wanted to do. She tastes sweet and salty all at once.
As I lean back, I move my hand so I can brush my thumb over the spot on her lip. “I love that freckle.”
She laughs. “I’ve always hated it.”
“Why?”
Her eyes widen with incredulity as she points to it. “Because it’s right there, in the way of everything.”
“It’s not in my way.” I kiss it again, teasing her lips with mine.
She kisses me back, then, with a sigh, nestles into me as I wrap my arm around her.
We watch the fading sunset, quiet and content. I still can’t believe we’re here, together like this. I’d imagined it so many times, but in my wildest dreams? Never as good as this.
“How did you talk Charlene into letting you have her date with me?”
She tilts her face up. “I paid her.”
I pull my head back. “Seriously?”
She bursts out laughing. “No, you goof. That was the plan all along.”
“What?”
“It was Sophie’s idea. Char is a friend of hers at the paper. Mia, Lily, and Harper were in on it, too.” She leans forward.
I think if I were a rooster, I’d be strutting in the barnyard right about now. Instead, I scrape a hand over my mouth to hide my grin.
“I almost backed out.” She glances over her shoulder in a way that I can only see her eyes. She’s so damn sexy when she does that.
“Why?”
She pushes back, sitting even with me. “I wasn’t sure if what I was feeling was real.”
Her confession gives me pause. I shift, turning to face her with a question I don’t want to ask but have to. “Are they?”
She tilts her head. “Wade, I wouldn’t be here if they weren’t.”
My turn to drop my chin. “Guess I needed to ask.”
