Chapter 47
Forty-Seven
B utch and I revel in the aftermath. The air is heavy with unsaid words.
“Sundance?” he whispers.
“Hmm?”
“Say you’re mine.”
A languid smile unfurls. “I’m yours.”
“Glad that’s settled.”
I chuckle and grip him tighter.
He groans near my ear. “I don’t want to leave…but we should probably get back.”
“M’kay.”
He pushes up with those strong arms, and our sweaty bodies stick to each other like they aren’t ready to part either. The affection in his eyes strikes my chest like a meteor, setting off a blinding happiness that threatens to crater my soul and light the world.
His lips find mine, ardent but controlled, before he slowly pulls out of me. As he fetches a towel from the bathroom, I admire his glorious backside—everything from his broad back to how it tapers into a toned ass, leading to those burly legs.
We clean up and get dressed, camouflaging our clandestine tryst, then walk the path, hands clasped, back to his parents’ house.
The skies darken, signaling I should head back to Richmond. I have to work tomorrow and still need to call my parents. Although Jerri offered to let me use her phone, I declined. It’s long-distance, plus I didn’t want to risk upsetting myself. Talking to my mom and dad is always a crap shoot.
Butch’s grandparents have already departed, and Liz and Dan are corralling their kids to leave too. I’m standing with Butch and his parents in the kitchen, and Jerri’s attempting to send me home with leftovers.
“That’s nice of you to offer, but?—”
“Better just do what she wants,” Butch interrupts. “Don’t want to get on her bad side.”
His mother shoots me a pointed look, her brows raised in challenge, as if her son knows what he’s talking about.
I accept her offering with a grateful smile. “Today has been wonderful. Thank you, really, for the best Thanksgiving I’ve ever had.”
Surprise crosses Jerri’s face. “It was our pleasure, Jacqui. And if you’re free next Saturday, we’d love you to join us for cookie day.
We get all the ladies together and bake and decorate an unholy amount of Christmas cookies.
Some we give to the shut-ins nearby, folks who are elderly or sick and can’t get out much. It’s a Hamilton tradition.”
I don’t sense this is lip service from his mother. She wants me around. And something about this annual cookie-a-thon also hits me hard—but what, I’m not sure. “That sounds wonderful.”
Emmy careens into the kitchen, her socks sliding on the hardwoods. “Are you leaving?” she asks, a touch breathless.
“Yeah, honey,” Butch answers. “Jacqui has a long drive. ”
Emmy’s brow furrows. “Why don’t you just spend the night? We can have a slumber party!”
Butch chokes and I smile gently, squatting down to her level. “Wish I could. Rain check?”
She tilts her head. “It’s not raining.”
The adults chuckle and I grin. “It’s just an expression. It means can we do it another time?”
She smiles, nodding enthusiastically.
“Looks like I’m coming back for cookie day,” I add.
“Good. We can have our slumber party then. Don’t forget Lucky,” she says.
Oh boy. Did I just stick my foot into a puddle of rubber cement? Butch might have to smooth this over. “Will do. See you later, Emmy.”
“Bye!” She runs off again.
“Can I bring anything Saturday?” I ask Jerri.
“Not unless you have a recipe you enjoy making this time of year. Otherwise, we’ve got everything covered.”
Before I can say another word, she offers up a warm hug, followed by Gus. I’m so unaccustomed to free-flowing familial affection, it startles and soothes me simultaneously.
Butch holds my care package in one hand, and his other finds the small of my back. “I’ll walk you out.”
We intersect his sister and her family on the way and say our goodbyes.
“Heard you’re joining us for cookie day and having a sleepover ,” Liz says, eyebrows raised and expression full of mischief.
News travels fast. “I am. See you then?”
“I’ll be here, sis.”
I laugh. “Troublemaker.”
She winks and I experience a tug of longing to become friends.
Butch escorts me to my car, waiting while I stow the leftovers I’m seriously stoked to have. “Are you good with all that? Coming back for cookies and…a slumber party?” The look on his face is so genuinely hopeful, it pulls at my heart like he’s lassoed it.
“I am if you are. What about Emmy? I know you’re easing her into us.”
“She seems immune to my easing. She’s taken to bulldozing. As long as she’s comfortable—and clearly that little firecracker is taking the lead—I’m fine. But make no mistake,” he says, pressing me against the car. “You’re sleeping in my bed.”
“Is that a threat, Mr. Domineering?”
“It’s a promise, sweetheart.” He lets one of his charming, wicked smiles loose and my insides liquify.
“Savage,” I tease.
“You have no idea. You’ve awakened a monster.”
“Mmm,” I muse. “Yes, please.”
He chuckles low. “Look at you, baiting the monster.”
“I know what he likes to eat,” I taunt, recalling just how voraciously he ate a few hours ago…right up against his front door. Whew.
“Baby, my appetite for you only grows.”
My breath hitches. “Same here. Now stop looking at me like that or I’ll never leave.”
A lascivious smile draws my attention to his lips. “Tempting.”
We eye each other a moment longer, staring like a couple of lovesick idiots. He grasps the back of my head and guides me to his waiting mouth. He kisses me earnestly, melting me from head to toe.
“Call me when you get home so I know you’re safe.” More pitter patters.
“I will. And Butch?” The emotions of the day almost overpower me as I collect my thoughts. “Thank you for inviting me today. It meant a lot to be here. I’m sorry I fought you on it.”
He shakes his head decisively. “No apologies, Sundance.” He pulls me back into his grasp. “You came, and I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day. All my favorite people in one place. It was my best Thanksgiving too.”
My eyes glisten and I nestle into his chest a little deeper. Hearing his heartbeat thud so reassuringly under his clothes, it’s as if it’s talking to mine. Two hearts, reaching toward the other, finally free to seek love again.
No lasso necessary.