Chapter 24
Twenty-Four
“Are you going to invite me inside?” A smile slides across my face at her surprise.
This has been one of the longest weeks of my life. I was distracted the entire time I was away because I could only think about coming back to her.
“Yes!” She grabs me by the hand and pulls me through the door into the mudroom. “I didn’t think you would be back until tomorrow.”
I barely have time to drop my bag on the bench before she takes my coat and hangs it on a nearby hook.
“I left early to beat the weather. But mostly because I wanted to see you,” I confess.
“You just missed Hannah and Logan.”
“I know. I’ve been sitting in my truck down the street for the past fifteen minutes. I didn’t think they were ever going to leave.”
“I haven’t been here a full day, and all the neighbours will be talking about how I snuck you in.” She giggles before asking, “Why didn’t you just come in?”
I lift one shoulder. “I kinda wanted to be alone with you. Is that okay?”
“Yeah. I’m glad you’re here.” She throws herself into my arms, and I pull her close. Burying my face in the crook of her neck, I allow the scent of cherries to consume me.
“I missed you so much,” she confesses into my chest. “I’m sorry I pushed you away before you left. I’m working through some things.”
“It’s okay. I’m here now,” I say as I glide my hands up and down her back.
Reluctantly, I release her, and she pulls me into the kitchen. She’s been busy. There is barely any evidence that she moved in today. I smile to myself when I see the coffee maker I bought her nestled in a corner on the counter.
“How did the move go? Did you bring everything you need?”
“For now. I was tired and didn’t feel like making another trip, so I left my books, photo albums, and a few odds and ends behind.
I can grab them the next time I’m over to see Maggie.
” Walking to the island, she points at a little gnome.
“Look what Hannah got me for a housewarming gift. Isn’t she sweet? ”
“Adorable.” I run my fingertips over the creases in its floppy hat. “How does Logan feel about her adding to the collection?”
“Zero out of ten. Not a fan.” She giggles, her eyes twinkling. “I totally think we should get him one for the cabin.”
I love how she says we, like it’s inevitable.
“He would lose his mind,” I snort.
“I know,”—she grins mischievously—“it would be great.”
Moving her gift out of the way, she jumps up onto the countertop and reaches for me.
I position myself to stand between her thighs and rest my hands on her hips.
It’s then that I notice she’s wearing one of my hoodies with black leggings.
She can keep it. I will never tire of seeing her in my clothes.
“Tell me about your week away,” she says, resting her hands on my shoulders. “Did you do anything fun?”
“I was at the university every morning. There’s a great group of students this semester—lots of excellent discussion and debate. I caught a hockey game with Vaughan and stopped to see my grandfather quickly on the way home.” I feel her shiver as one of my hands runs up and down her spine.
“How is Vaughan? April talks about him all the time, but she’s biased.”
“He’s good.” I gently brush away the hair that has fallen over her face. “Always busy. He talks about her too.”
“And your grandfather? You’ve mentioned him before, but I didn’t know you were that close to anyone in your family.”
“Only him.” Nestled close like this, it takes all my restraint not to kiss her.
She runs her tongue along her bottom lip before asking, “Do you want a glass of wine? We can sit in the living room and talk.”
“Wine sounds good.” I hum when her body slides down mine as she gets off the counter. She gives me a knowing grin before taking wineglasses from the cupboard.
“I planned on drinking this straight from the bottle while I enjoyed a hot bath, but I don’t mind sharing it with you.” She hands me a glass, and I follow her into the other room.
Logan left all his furniture behind when he moved, but the large space looks completely different.
Beck has completely transformed it and made it hers.
Yellow and purple polka-dot cushions brighten the dark couch.
A red knit blanket is draped over an armchair by the fireplace.
A stained-glass lamp casts a warm amber light from where it sits low on a table.
I recognize a few of her things from the trailer, but there are new pieces here as well.
When she catches me lingering at a purple vase filled with yellow and white flowers, she smiles softly. “A gift from Aunt Maggie. She gave me a bunch of things to help make this place feel like mine.”
“It looks amazing,” I say. You did a beautiful job.”
“Thank you. I think I’m going to enjoy living here.” Taking my hand, she leads me to the couch. “Let’s sit, and you can tell me about your grandfather. What’s he like?”
Taking a sip of wine, I lean forward and place the glass on the coffee table in front of us. “He is the best man I know and one of my favourite people. We grew apart when I was a teenager, but we have been making up for lost time.”
“What changed?” She shifts her body so she can see me better. Her fingers fiddle with the cuff of my sweater. I’ve become used to her casual touches. I didn’t grow up with much physical affection, and now I crave it. From her.
“I went through something in my early twenties that really affected my mental health.” My chest warms when she places her hand on my knee in silent support.
“It’s something I would like to share with you soon, but not today.
My parents weren’t supportive—at all. My grandfather was the one who stepped in and got me through the worst of it. ”
I want to tell her the rest, and I will, but we need to have a conversation about what’s going on between us before I trauma dump. It’s not something I like to talk about, but it’s important that she knows.
There are questions dancing in her eyes, but she remains silent.
“He was the one who encouraged me to go to university and eventually pursue my master’s in social work. I owe him a lot. I wouldn’t be the man I am now without him.”
“That’s amazing. I’m glad he’s a part of your life. Do you see him very often?”
“A couple of times a month. Next time, I would love for you to come with me so I can introduce you.”
“Me?” Her eyes widen as she pulls back.
Chuckling at her surprise, I say, “Yes, you. I’ve told him all about you.”
“You did?” She furrows her forehead with confusion written all over her face. “Why?”
Reaching for her hand, I take it in my own.
“He asked me what I’ve been up to lately, and I told him I’ve been spending all my time obsessing over a younger woman with brilliant blue eyes and raven-black hair.
About her love of colourful silk scarves, music from the ’90s, and the colour red.
I told him you are an amazing artist and showed him your Instagram page so he could see your work. ”
Her cheeks turn the prettiest shade of pink. “Obsessed, you say?”
“Very,” I hum, running my thumb back and forth across her hand.
“Aunt Maggie said you are smitten, but I like the word obsessed better. It has a unique ring to it, don’t you think?” She looks down at our threaded fingers and confesses, “I may be a little obsessed with you too.”
“I’m glad it’s not one-sided; that would be awkward.” I shake my head. Suddenly, what I need to say next feels important. “You make me want to break all my rules.”
Her eyes narrow, and she tilts her head. “What do you mean? What rules?”
“I swore off relationships,” I admit quietly. “Told myself I was content being alone.”
She watches me, eyes soft and questioning. “What changed? Why me?”
“The more I got to know you, the harder it became to stay away. You make me smile and laugh more than I have in years. You say exactly what you think—even when it drives me crazy. I’m even beginning to enjoy your sass.”
“My sass?” She lifts a brow. “I can definitely be sassier.”
“I have no doubt in my mind.” I smirk. Swallowing my nerves, I continue. “And God, you are so beautiful. I’ve been fighting my attraction to you for longer than I care to admit.”
She lets out a soft, breathy laugh. “You’ve been fighting it? I thought you were ignoring me.”
“Never.” I shake my head, bringing the back of her hand to my lips. “I’ve always seen you.”
In that moment, as I lower her hand, I feel something shift between us.
She leans in first, just a little. Her eyelids flutter shut as she dips her head to mine and places a gentle kiss at the corner of my mouth. It’s cautious and experimental, but that tiny touch undoes me.
I cup her waist and pull her onto my lap.
She gasps as our bodies come together. I shiver as her hands slowly glide up my chest, fingers curling around the back of my neck.
She tilts her head and brushes her lips against mine again.
When her lips part, I take it as an invitation to deepen the kiss further. She responds immediately.
Tightening her hold around my neck, she pulls me closer, her chest pressed up against mine. The tiny whimpers she makes as we kiss send heat rolling through my body.
The kiss deepens naturally, as if we have both been pretending we didn’t want this all along.
I moan into her mouth as she begins to slowly roll her hips over my hard length.
She trembles as my hands travel up under her shirt over the curve of her waist. Her fingers tangle in my hair, tugging enough to make my pulse stutter.
Breaking the kiss, she pulls back enough for our foreheads to touch, while we catch our breath. I can feel her smile against my lips before she kisses me again. This time softer, as if to savour the moment.
She melts into me, her hands sliding from my hair to cup my jaw. The kiss slows and gentles until it becomes something tender.
Eventually, she pulls back, her lips lingering against mine in two more soft presses before she lowers her hands to my shoulders and lifts her head. Her cheeks are flushed, her breathing uneven, and her eyes are sparkling brightly.
We’re both quiet for a moment, our chests rising and falling together.
Her voice unsteady, she whispers, “Wow.”
My hands squeeze her hips to ground myself. “Yeah, me too. Wow.”
“So…” Her voice is soft and a little uncertain. “What happens now?”
Letting out a breathy laugh, I try to cover my nerves. “I don’t know.”
Holding her a little closer so she can’t misunderstand, I say, “I know I don’t want to pretend that we didn’t do that and go back to acting like we’re only friends.”
Her eyes soften. “Good, because I don’t think I could either.”
The tension I was feeling in my chest eases, replaced with something warm and light.
“So, we figure out these feelings we have. Together.”
She lets out a breath and mirrors my grin. “Together.”
“I guess the first thing we should do is go out on an actual date.”
“A date?” She scrunches her nose. “Really?”
“Yes, I’m sure you have heard of the concept,” I tease, trying to lighten the moment. “I’ll plan something we will both enjoy and pick you up at your door. We will have an amazing time and make plans to do it again. I’ll bring you home and hope you kiss me good night.”
“Sounds enticing. I’ve never been on an actual date before.”
“I haven’t been on many myself.”
All my recent “dates” lean a little more towards hookups, to be honest, but that doesn’t seem relevant to this conversation.
“What about with Lily?” she blurts out. Her eyes widen instantly. “Sorry, that’s none of my business. Forget I said anything. I know you don’t enjoy talking about her, but I don’t know why. Oh, God, stop talking.” She drops her head onto my shoulder and mumbles, “Fuck my life.”
“It’s okay.” Slowly rubbing my hand up and down her back, I say, “When Lily and I were together, we were very young. We did more hanging out than actual dating. So, what do you think? Would you like to go on a date with me?”
She sits back up and pecks me on the lips. “Okay,” she agrees.
“Leave it to me. I will make all the arrangements. How does tomorrow night sound?”
“I don’t know, Ryan.” She rears back and shakes her head, then chuckles. “That’s kinda short notice.”
“Do you want to check your calendar?” I play along. “Maybe you have a better offer?”
“Nah. If I did, I would cancel to spend time with you.” Raising her eyes to mine, she says, “We’re kind of doing things out of order, aren’t we?”
“How so?”
“Well, we just had our first kiss,” she says, going back to play with the ends of my hair. “We’ve had more than one sleepover. You saw me at my very worst when I was sick. You’ve even met my crazy ex.”
“Maybe, but I wouldn’t change anything about our origin story.”
“Not even me stonewalling you this past couple of weeks?” She drops her eyes to my chest.
“I didn’t love that part,” I confess. Placing a finger under her chin, I tip her head back up so she will look at me. “I don’t want you to shut me out. I’m hoping you will learn to trust me.”
“I’m working on it.”
Given her history with Braden, I know trust won’t come easy. I’m willing to do the work so she knows I won’t let her down.
“The one positive thing that came out of the distance between us these past couple of weeks is that now I know what I feel for you is real,” I confess as I cup the back of her neck.
“You mean your obsession?” She laughs.
“Yeah, that.”
“I like this,” she says, resting her head on my shoulder. “Do you want to spend the night? I know you’ve been gone for the week, so I’ll understand if you want to go home.”
“I was hoping you would ask, so I packed for it. But you need to know something.”
“What’s that?” Her face is still flushed as she stares into my eyes.
“I don’t put out until after the first date.”