Chapter 4
CHAPTER FOUR
Ezra
Once my lips were on hers, I couldn’t hold back any longer. I devoured her like I’d been dreaming of, imagining, picturing since she walked onto her porch the very first time I saw her.
She tasted like the sweetest ice cream, soft, smooth, and addictive.
I let go of her head and dragged my hand down the side of her face slowly, my fingers exploring, touching, feeling her. Down past her jaw to her neck, my thumb running over the skin just below her ear lobe. She moaned into my mouth, and the sound sent me straight over the edge.
One kiss turned into two, then three. Unable to get enough of her, my tongue slid inside her mouth and met hers in a tango.
When I broke apart, her chest rose and fell quickly, her cheeks flushed, her eyes half lids, and fuck, she looked sexier than she ever had before.
I bet she’ll have an even better freshly fucked face.
My breaths came in short spurts and my head felt heavy, woozy, like I’d had one too many drinks at the bar, her effect on me so fucking intoxicating I couldn’t think straight.
“I’m sorry…I shouldn’t have overstepped.” I said, watching for her reaction and hoping I didn’t cross too much of a line.
“Please don’t be sorry. I’m certainly not.” Mira flashed me a cheeky grin.
“You’re not?”
“No. In fact, I’ve wanted you to kiss me since the moment you stepped onto my porch.”
I chuckled. “So have I.”
“I didn’t think you’d be interested. I mean, I’m at least ten years older than you.”
“You are?”
“Your profile on Mountain Mates said you’re twenty-four, correct?”
“That am I. You are what, twenty-nine? Thirty?”
Mira broke into a fit of laughter. “Aw, thank you. That’s flattering.”
“I’m wrong?”
“Afraid so. Add a few more years.”
“Fine, thirty-four. Thirty-five at the most.”
“Wrong again.”
“What? Thirty-six? Seven?”
Mira shook her head, and my jaw went slack.
“Thirty-eight?”
“Close. Thirty-nine.”
“No way.”
“Yes way.”
“I don’t believe it.” I mused while running my eyes down her frame, making sure she noticed me checking her out. “You look damn fucking good for only thirty-nine.”
“Only? Wow, you flatter me, kind sir.”
“It’s the truth. Besides,” I dropped my voice a note lower and leaned forward. “Age is just a number. What matters is the love between two people, not how old they are.”
Mira smiled. “I like the way you think. Can I invite you to stay for dinner, then?”
“I’d love to.”
Over a dinner of homemade pizza and salad, we discovered everything there was to know about the other.
Conversation flowed between us like two old friends catching up after years apart.
It was easy to talk to her, and I revealed a lot more to her than I ever have to anyone before. The strangest part?
I already trusted her.
“Were you shocked when you inherited the entire orchard?” I finished my second piece of pizza and went in for a third.
“Yes, to say the least. I never knew my father. My single mom raised me, and she worked two jobs to keep us afloat. It was always just me and her. Through thick and thin. Then, in my junior year of high school, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. It nearly killed me watching her go through that. And when she died, I promised her I’d make a good life for myself.
I went to college and got a degree in communications and now I do freelance journalism. I love it.”
“I’m sorry to hear about your mom. But it sounds like you proved yourself. I know she’d be so proud.”
“Thank you, Ezra. That’s sweet of you. I’d like to think so.”
“Do you like to read too?”
“I do. Mainly the news and current events, though I occasionally pick up a book. I used to spend a lot of my time growing up at the library when my mom worked.”
“I liked the library, too. I would read about gardening. I know, big time dork.” I confessed with a wolfish grin.
“I grew up an only child like you. My dad worked all the time, and my mom kept herself busy, but one of her favorite things to do was garden. She planted veggies, fruit, and herbs and she taught me everything she knew. With no siblings, I found ways to distract myself.”
“I love that. No wonder you’re so good at gardening.”
“I’ve had a lot of practice. Nothing beats picking your own veggies and throwing them on the grill or using some of your fresh herbs in your cooking. Grill nights are my favorite.”
“I loved grilled meat and veggies. Especially in the summer when you can eat on the back deck and watch the sunset.”
We glided from topic to topic and soon, two hours had passed and we’d finished eating long ago.
“You probably want to get home since you’re coming back in the morning, and I need to clean up.” Mira said as she stood up from the table.
“I’ll help.” I didn’t want to leave. Not yet anyway.
“No, I couldn’t possibly have you help clean.”
“I want to.” I smiled and picked up my plate.
After helping her clean, she walked me to the door.
“Thanks for dinner. I appreciate it. I’ll be back bright and early.” I stepped through the doorway and turned back to face her. Mira leaned against the doorframe and crossed her arms over her chest, drawing my eyes to her large breasts.
The same ones I couldn’t stop picturing my face between.
“The coffee will be ready.”
Every part of me screamed to stay, to grab her and carry her back inside, to take her to bed and have my way with her.
To claim her as mine like I so badly wanted to do.
Every part of her belonged to me, and every part of me belonged to her. It couldn’t be changed, so why fight against it? Why not just enjoy it?
I lifted my arm above her head and rested against the doorframe, caging her in on one side. I hooked one finger under her chin and pushed upward so her pretty brown eyes would meet mine. A fire burned inside them and set my own insides ablaze. Mine. All mine.
Leaning down as if I were going to kiss her, I brushed my lips against her mouth ever so lightly. “Have a good night, Mira.”
Without another word, I stepped back, turned, and walked away.