Page 87 of Wildflowers and Wide Receivers

“No,” I answer honestly, shaking my head.

She looks down at my hands sitting on my lap and whispers, “I’m sorry.”

“Me too,” I tell her, knowing that even if she does take this job and move, I’ve made her decision harder. It would be an easy transition if Vivi and I weren’t in the picture, but now that we are, it just sucks. For all of us.

Her eyes shoot back to mine. “You have nothing to be sorry about. This is all me.”

“It doesn’t feel that way.” I hold out my arm as I lie down. As much as all of this hurts, I just need to hold her. To feel her next to me. “Come here.” She makes her way over to snuggle into my side, and my eyes slide shut. Her head finds my shoulder, her hand falls to my chest, and one of her legs drapes over mine. Does she feel how hard my heart is beating? Does she not realize that it beats for her?

“Does this happen a lot with her?” she asks.

“No. Mostly, she’s not been herself since they passed. They say time heals all wounds, and while I have seen more of her personality shine through lately, I’m not surprised today happened. It hasn’t been easy.”

“That makes me sad. I know it’s easier said than done, but I don’t want her to hurt anymore. She’s so young and should be enjoying her childhood.”

“I don’t think any of us wants that anymore, but you’re right, it is easier said than done. Grief has its own timeline.”

Grief that will flare up again when I tell her that Sophie is moving.

My eyes burn, and I let out a deep sigh. It feels like I have an elephant sitting on my chest.

She must want it. I have to believe she wouldn’t have gone if she intended to stay. And now knowing that the offer is out there, I suddenly feel like we’re on borrowed time. Job offers don’t just linger. There has to be a start date, and I’ll bet it’s pretty soon.

Her hand starts rubbing up and down my rib cage, and I bend my arm so I can run my fingers through her hair. Tilting my head so it’s lying against hers, I breathe her in. Citrus and sugar, she smells so good. My eyes fall shut, and I try to memorize the moment. Eventually, her hand slips under my shirt and presses against my skin. Did I have her a few hours ago? Yes. But I want her again. Rolling, I put her on her back, my hand wraps around her waist, and I hover over.

“This okay?” I search her eyes for any clue that it’s not.

“More than okay,” she replies, her hand fisting my shirt to pull me closer.

Our lips brush once, twice, and then the third time, I seal them together.

I suddenly need to be with her more than I need my next breath, and it seems she feels the same. Her hand slides up the back of my shirt while her other slips underneath me and wraps around my waist to pull my weight more over her. My hips settle in the cradle of hers as she pulls my shirt off, and wasting no time, I do the same to hers and her bra. Her chest connects with mine, and I push my arms underneath her, with my hands coming over the top of her shoulders. I want her as close as possible. I want to hold her as tight as possible.

Dipping my tongue into her mouth, I kiss her with everything I have.

Can’t she feel how much she means to me?

Can’t she tell how much I crave her? This?

Not to be left out, her hands slide down my back and under the waistband of my shorts. She grips my ass and pulls me into her. Our hips rock together, and through my shorts, I can feel the heat pouring off her.

That’s all it takes.

Sitting back on my knees, I stare down at the beautiful girl beneath me. Her lips are swollen, her cheeks are flushed, and her skin quivers as I run my hands over her chest, only stopping to squeeze once.

“Jonah,” she moans as my thumbs drag across her nipples and my large hands surround her torso. She’s not petite. I’d say her size is average, but my fingers damn near touch each other on her back.

I lean forward, and my mouth replaces one thumb as I lift her a little off the bed. Her head falls back and her knees squeeze me tighter as I work one breast and then the other. She tastes so good and feels so good, my dick aches to be involved.

Releasing her with a pop of my lips, I quickly unfasten her shorts. She shifts her hips and lifts her legs in front of us so I can pull everything off. Immediately, her legs return and fall open for me.

So. Fucking. Beautiful.

Just once, I run my fingers over her, slip one inside, and my mouth goes dry as she clenches around me.

I want this. Her. For the rest of my life.

Pulling my shorts off, I climb back above her and settle in with my lips on hers and our hips perfectly aligned. Easily, she welcomes me, and it only takes drawing in and out twice to bottom out.