30. RAE
30
I ’m catching up with my next-door neighbor Rita when two big arms slide around my waist as a kiss is being pressed to the crook of my neck. Goosebumps trickle down my skin, accompanied by a heavy flutter in my stomach, my knees growing weak.
“Hey, baby,” Jensen whispers in my ear, then tugs my back against his chest before he offers a wave to Rita. “Hi, I’m Jensen.”
“Rita,” she replies, fluttering her lashes like she’s about to take off.
“Do you mind me stealing her away for a second?” He must be using all his charm because Rita’s cheeks turn a rosy pink, and she nods her head with a flirtatious smile.
I mumble a sorry before he walks us backward, leading me to the gate on the right side of the yard that leads back to the driveway. When we are out of sight, he presses me against the sheltered part of the carport, his lips finding mine with passion. I moan against his mouth, fisting his shirt in my hand while my pussy is screaming to be touched.
God, this man turns me on so bad.
“I’m pissed at you,” he breathes against my lips between kisses.
“You don’t seem pissed,” I muse, grinding my hips against his body.
The bulge pressing against his zipper tells me he ain’t as pissed off as he’s telling me.
“I am.”
“Hmm, why is that?” I’m only half listening, too occupied digging my nails into his back. He awakens every fiber in my body, effortlessly sucking me into his energy, dying to bury myself in his arms. As soon as he’s within a two-yard radius, I can’t break loose, even if I tried.
“It’s your birthday.” I can hear the disappointment in his voice, and my guilt makes me pause as I look up at him with regret in my eyes.
It was a shitty thing to do, not telling him it was my birthday. I didn’t want to tell him because I didn’t want him to feel like he had to do anything about it. He was going to be pissed about that either way, but I thought it would just be a family dinner, like we always do. I figured I could tell him when I showed him the guest room, when we were alone. He’d probably growl at me, we’d have dinner with my family, and then I would make it up to him later. Never in a million years did I expect to walk into a surprise party with half the neighborhood present.
For my twenty-first birthday? Sure.
My twenty-fifth? I guess.
But not for my fucking twenty-fourth.
“I’m sorry. I should’ve given you a heads-up. I didn’t know they were making such a big deal out of it.”
“Well, seems fair since it would kinda ruin the surprise.” He smirks, running a finger along my jaw. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because—I don’t know. This—” I move my finger back and forth between us. “I don’t know what this is, and I didn’t want to give you the feeling you needed to do anything for my birthday. Because you don’t.”
His gaze moves up and down my face, as if he’s thinking about my words, then he presses a rough kiss to my lips that leaves me breathless.
“Make it up to me.”
“How?”
“Give me tomorrow,” he says, a certain urgency audible in his tone.
“What do you mean?”
“Give me tomorrow. Just you and me. You still owe me one.”
“Okay,” I agree. “What do you want to do?”
“Everything. Anything. Show me around. Show me where you grew up.”
I bite my lip, shaking my head, not fully understanding. “What do you want me to show you?”
“The school you went to. Where you got your first kiss. Where you used to hang out. I want to see the world you grew up in.”
Goosebumps trickle over my body, a weird feeling of euphoria settling inside of me. I don’t know what's happening, but a grin forms, and I eagerly nod my head.
“Okay, yeah. Sure.”
“Yeah?” The back of his hand brushes my cheek, then he presses a soft kiss on my lips.
“Yes.”
His thumb traces the seam of my lips before he drags my lower lip down. “You drive me crazy, Rae Stafford.”
“Rae? Rae, where are you? It’s time for cake.” Nana’s voice calls out through the yard, and I close my eyes while he presses his forehead against mine.
Great timing, grandma.
“We should head back,” I murmur.
“Hmm, I guess so.”
His phone starts to vibrate in his back pocket, and I pull it out for him, pushing it against his chest with a smile. I’m tempted to see who it is, wondering if it’s Emily, but I keep my eyes on his, pressing a chaste kiss on his lips when I reach up.
“Take that. It might be important.”
“I doubt that. I’ll meet you inside in a minute.”
“I’m going to blow out some candles.” I break loose from him, my hand lingering on his stomach for as long as possible.
He looks at me like I’m the most amazing thing in the world, then nods. The man makes me swoon without even trying, feeling desperate for his touch.
And for the first time since the crash, I know exactly what I’m going to wish for.