Chapter 46
chapter
forty-six
NATE
“Freeze—and put your hands above your head,” I command in my lowest, most intimidating voice.
Maren spins in place by the sink, a dirty glass in one hand and a large spoon in the other. The lighting is dim, as the sun set a long time ago. Darkness from outside casts shadows in here, signaling the end of the day, but there’s plenty more to enjoy tonight.
After the contest, Maren, Teagan, and I wolfed down apple cider donuts, got lost in the corn maze, and then rode home in my Jeep with the windows down, the radio blasting Teagan’s favorite songs.
Sabrina enjoyed catching up with my mother and hitting up Daphne’s boutique—it’s the one local shop she has to check out every time she visits.
She’s only been to Sapphire Creek a handful of times over the years, but it’s made a big enough impression on her that she loves coming back.
Which works out for Teagan and me, considering how much we love our new home.
We’ve been surrounded by so many people today. I’ve wanted to kiss Maren so inappropriately far too many times to count, but I somehow restrained myself. Now that we’re alone, though—with Teagan staying the night at Sabrina’s again to soak up the last of her visit—I plan to take advantage.
“What’re the charges, Officer?” Maren plays along, her lips twitching as she fights to stay in character.
“You are not supposed to clean up after your own party.” I stalk toward her, one slow, calculated step at a time. “It’s going to cost you.”
“However will I pay for this awful sin?” She bats her eyelashes and lifts her head to peer up at me.
“For starters…” I remove the items from her hands and set them into the sink. Then I lean my hands on either side of her, caging her in, my thumbs drawing circles at her hips. “You better kiss me, little lady.”
She doesn’t immediately oblige. Instead, she hums, and the soft, lust-filled song skitters through my body. She licks her lips, and heat travels down my spine.
With her lips an inch from mine, Maren weaves her hands around my waist. They coast up and down my back, her gaze cemented on my mouth the entire time like she’s considering all the different ways she can kiss me.
Like she’s picturing all the filthy things we can do to each other.
The anticipation fosters a big, bad ball of carnal desire in the pit of my stomach.
After having to censor myself while we had an audience for most of the day, I’m wound tighter than a rubber band. But then she finally slants her mouth over mine, and my groan vibrates between us as our lips connect.
This woman is my undoing. I could easily let a roar rip from my throat like an animal—I’m reduced to a caveman in her presence.
“Thank you again for today,” she whispers. It’s so soft, I almost don’t hear her, especially with my heart thumping in my ears so loudly.
“I didn’t do anything.” I press my forehead to hers. “Except, I did drive you around, so I guess that counts for something.”
The sound she makes is something between a laugh and an exhale. “Yes, thank you for the gas well spent.”
I continue kissing her, slipping my tongue between her parted lips, seeking relief from this pent-up electricity coursing through me. I’m on fire as she digs her nails into my arms and deepens our kiss.
I kiss her harder, pressing her back into the edge of the sink. “Did I mention how proud of you I am?” I mumble against her lips.
Her lips curve into a smile against my mouth. “A few times.”
“I meant it every time.”
Her fingers loosen their grip on me and dance up my chest, where she fists my shirt. “Thank you,” she breathes. “Thank you for cheering me on today, and thank you for what you tried to do with Dixie.”
I freeze. “I don’t know what you’re referring to.”
“Addie spilled about your mission.”
I swing my gaze up to the ceiling. “Of course, she did.”
“Not her fault. I caught her talking into her Apple Watch like a spy, and I pulled the truth out of her.”
“Let me guess—you promised her cookies in exchange for the intel, and she couldn’t help herself,” I tease.
“I cannot reveal my clever ways.” Maren arches into me, and the curl of her lip smooths out. “But I appreciate your efforts, even if they were futile. Dixie is just being Dixie, and I need to make things right with her.”
I shift from one foot to the other, giving her an inch of space.
I could tell something’s wrong between the sisters. Otherwise, Dixie would’ve been here for Maren today.
And I did try to reach her for Maren’s sake. Addie and I both called and texted, but it all went unanswered. I started worrying that there might’ve been some kind of emergency, but Maren told me not to worry—that she’d explain later.
“What happened?” I ask gently, ready to be the shoulder she leans on.
Ready to be there for Maren, always.
She bites her lip. “We had a fight last weekend.” On a heavy sigh, she adds, “It was kind of about you.”
I furrow my brows.
“It also had nothing to do with you, if that makes sense.” She rubs her forehead. “We just have a lot to sort through.”
“What can I do to help?” I squeeze her hands. “I don’t want to get between you two.”
“You’re not. She’s just worried about me—about my future.
” Maren releases a soft laugh, her eyes twinkling.
“She’s more worried about my future than I am, but what she doesn’t understand is that I am well on my way.
I have a nice chunk of cash to elevate my business, and I have you and Teagan.
Your parents too. The best of friends. My sister nearby.
I have more than I ever dreamed of for myself. ”
She squeezes my hands back and rises onto her tiptoes to give me a firm kiss.
With my forehead against hers, I stumble over my next breath, recalling my earlier conversation with Sabrina. “Speaking of Teagan and me…” I clear my throat. “I talked with her mom today.”
“About what?”
“About her staying here long term.”
Maren peers up at me, her lips parted.
“Teagan wants to stay with me in Sapphire Creek, and Sabrina is thinking about moving nearby too, after their year overseas. Maybe Savannah or Atlanta, even. She and Diego have discussed it, and he’s more than happy to relocate.”
“That’s…” Her thick swallow echoes between us. “That’s amazing. I love that Diego obviously cares so much about Teagan.”
“Me too.” I fight back my own overwhelming emotion. “Sabrina and I got lucky with two more people who complete our family.”
“I love you.” Maren slips her hands into my hair and seals her lips to mine, her body flush against me.
I tug her with me toward the counter, where I have every intention of repeating the night I had her spread open for me in this kitchen.
I’d love nothing more than to make Maren come on every available surface in this house, marking every inch with her, but a knock on the door stops us before we ever really get started.
“What is with this town lately, always interrupting us?” Maren rolls her eyes, but she doesn’t immediately break our connection. She lazily trails her hands down my arms and grips my wrists, where my hands are locked onto her hips.
“One way or another, I will get my hands on you today. Even if I have to deadbolt every door in this house, hide my car, and turn all the lights out to pretend we’re not home.” I’m only halfway kidding.
The succession of pounding fists grows faster and louder as we make our way to the front door together to let our surprise guest in, like this is our house.
And I do love the sound of that. Of finally making this place ours.
Sharing a space with Maren would make my life complete.
But first, we need to face who’s standing on the other side of this door.