Jacob pats me on the shoulder and winks.
“May, let’s get on to bed and let the kids have the TV!” Jacob hollers, walking toward the kitchen and peeking his head in. “Well, I would take my wife on to bed if I could find her. I bet they’re outside.”
I follow him to the screened-off back porch. A small candle sits on the table in front of the two women, curled up with their feet tucked under them on the outdoor couch.
“Well, isn’t this a nice little chatting place?” I observe, looking around and making sure that May knows I like her decorating skills. May smiles widely, delighted with my flattery.
“It’s one of our favorite places. You should see it all lit up with the string lights, but Holly and I didn’t need all that jazz tonight.”
“I bet it looks lovely.”
“May, let’s head off to bed so these youngsters can have a few moments before they have to part ways for the night.” Jacob eyes Holly and I both, making it clear that he’d like us to still stay in our separate rooms. Holly rolls her eyes, and I clear my throat in acknowledgement.
“Goodnight, you two,” May coos. She presses a soft peck to Holly’s cheek and pats my forearm before heading off to bed, leaving us as we call out our goodnights. I slide my hands into my pockets, feeling the energy change the moment the back door closes. Holly seems nervous.
“How’d the game go?” she asks with wide eyes, a little bit of a blush coloring the outer round of her cheeks in the candlelight. I smile and look out at the back yard, noting the neighbors’ homes are a decent distance away on all sides. I may not get to hold her in my arms tonight while we sleep, but I damn well will not miss out on the chance to get her in them now.
“Went well. Cardinals won seven to five.” I rock back on my heels and wait for her to ask me to come closer. She’s skittish right now. Probably about what I overheard. If only she’d overheard the conversation her dad and I had, then she’d really be squirming. Holly bites her lip and looks to the right before her eyes come back to mine, and a sense of anticipation builds. Not only does she appear nervous, she looks…hungry.“Do you need anything else to drink before I sit down?” I ask, eyeing her intently.
“No, I have water,” she answers quietly, raising her bottle next to her thigh to make her point. I step toward her, rolling my sleeves over my forearms, and watch her eyes take in the little movements with fascination. Her respirations increase as I move closer and sit down next to her. A soft smile graces my lips, growing wider when she reciprocates.
“How was your chat with your mother?”
“Uh,” she squeaks before clearing her throat.Cute.“Good. We had a nice time catching up. Dad talk much?”
I lean back, resting an arm over her shoulder before pulling her into my side. She switches her tucked feet over to the other side but shivers a little next to me.
“We talked some. You cold, Sweetheart?” I ask, looking around for a blanket and finding one behind my left shoulder. I flick it out, avoiding the candle, and tuck it over our laps. She melts into my side even more, and I relish it, imagining more nights like this.
“Much better, thank you.” She sighs, and I press a soft kiss to the top of her hair in answer, no words needed. “So, what did you guys talk about?” She looks up at me curiously.
“Oh, the game. And you.”
“Oh?” she asks wide-eyed as she tilts her head further up so she can really look at me. Those beautiful eyes have me locked in.Damn, I’m such a goner.
“You are stunning in this candlelight.”
“You’re changing the topic.”
“Uh-huh…” I answer with a smile, leaning in closer, hoping to catch her lips in a moment if she’ll let me.
“You’re not going to share with me, are you?” she asks, twisting my shirt in between her fingers a little and pulling me closer still. Just a few more inches…
“Uh-Uh,” I whisper, closing the distance as I shake my head slowly, eyeing how her breath hitches and her breasts stretch her shirt as she begins to pant lightly. I love watching how I affect her. I nuzzle her nose gently with mine, reaching up to twirl a strand of her silky hair around my fingers.
“Jaxon?” she pants. I’m going to make her ask.
“Yes, Cupcake?”
“Kiss me,” she rushes out on a whoosh of light breath, and I melt for her. So softly, I brush my thumb along her jaw,weaving my fingers into her hair at the nape of her neck as I tilt my lips to the side, making her wait a few precious more seconds for the moment my lips make the barest whisper across hers. The smallest sound escapes her as her lips part, sucking in a shaky breath that has my blood pumping hard, lighting up my body with pent-up tension from a whole evening of being close but not being able to touch her or kiss her the way I’ve been dying to. I pull her lips closer, sealing the deal and slipping between them with my tongue. My thumb traces along the front of her throat, loving the way her little hum of approval feels beneath it, and I hum back in encouragement. We take our time, exploring each other’s mouths until she’s clutching at my shirt and we’re both panting.
“I missed you,” she says breathily.
“I was just in the other room, baby.” I smile, knowing what she really means and feeling happy in the marrow of my bones.
“But not being able to just kiss you any time I want was…was…” she searches for the word, but her mind is clouded from my kisses, just the way I like it.
“Torture?” I ask, nuzzling against her nose as she pulls at my shirt like she’s dying to rip it off of me and fighting herself.