Southern Attraction (Southern Heart 3)

“Let’s take this inside.” Climbing out of the truck, I rush to her side and open the door. I offer her my hand, which she takes, and lead her inside. I take a seat on the couch and pull her into my lap. “What do you want, Jamie? Where do you see us… this going?”

“It’s complicated,” she says softly. “I’ve never felt… attraction like this before. Only with you. I want to explore that and see where it takes us, but the distance…”

“I don’t have the answer, Jamie. All I know is that you’re here, and I don’t want to waste one single second of the time I get to spend with you.”

Leaning in, she presses her soft lips to mine and I wrap my hand around the back of her neck, holding her to me. I could kiss her forever.

“Let’s not worry about the when or how. Let’s just enjoy the next couple of days,” she says, pulling her lips from mine.

“Deal. Now let’s get changed and get to bed. It’s late, and I know with the drive you have to be exhausted.”

She covers her yawn and nods. “I think it’s starting to hit me.”

Tapping her thigh, she stands. Placing my hand on the small of her back, I lead her to my room. “T-shirts are in the top drawer, and shorts and lounge pants are in the two below it. I’ll set out a toothbrush for you.” I leave her to change and head to the bathroom to do the same. I didn’t ask if she wanted to sleep in the guest room, partly because she didn’t the last time, and even more so that I don’t want her to. It’s not about sex, because we can’t go there. I can’t go there and then watch her leave. I’m already too enamored with her, and sex changes things.

After brushing my teeth and laying out a toothbrush for her, I wait a couple of minutes, just standing there like an idiot. I want to give her time to change without the pressure of me watching her, even though I really want to watch her.

When I think enough time has passed, I slowly yet loudly open the bathroom door. She’s standing at the foot of my bed, her blonde hair pulled up into a knot on top of her head, a few stray strands framing her face. She’s wearing one of my Mike’s Tavern T-shirts, her sexy legs bare. I swallow hard at the sight of her. “It’s all yours,” I croak out like a pubescent teenager. That’s what this beautiful woman reduces me to.

A light pink blush coats her cheeks as she pulls on the hem of the shirt. “I hope this is okay,” she says, her voice soft.

I nod because speaking really isn’t an option for me right now. In two long strides, I’m standing before her, cupping her cheeks. “You’re perfect,” I say before kissing her softly, slowly, taking my time with her. Enjoying the fact that she’s here with me.

“I just need a minute,” she tells me.

Again, I nod and drop my hands from her face, stepping to the side to let her pass. Once I hear the click of the bathroom door, I climb into bed. Running my fingers through my hair, I let the last few weeks run through my mind. It’s a little unconventional, but I feel as though I’ve really gotten to know her. I fucking hate that she lives so far away.

“Light out?” she asks, pulling me from my thoughts.

“Your choice,” I tell her. The light won’t keep me from sleeping—having her in my bed will.

She flips the switch and the room is filled with darkness. “Follow my voice,” I say.

She giggles. “This reminds me of Marco Polo in the pool, except there I can’t stub my toe.”

“It’s a straight shot, darlin.’ Just follow my voice.”

“I made it,” she says, and I feel the bed dip as she climbs in.

“Come here.” I hold up the covers and feel her move closer. Once she’s where I want her, I drop the blanket over us and wrap her in my arms. “I missed you,” I say, kissing her shoulder.

“I was worried, you know?”

“Worried?”

“Yeah, I didn’t know how you would take me crashing your birthday weekend.”

“You didn’t crash it, you made it. I was serious when I told you that I would come to you. I still will. You just have to tell me when.”

“We’ll plan something,” she says, not committing. She rolls over so we’re lying face-to-face in the dark. “Can you do something for me?” she asks, her voice low.

“Anything.”

“Will you kiss me?”

I don’t bother with words; instead I run my hand up her stomach and over the swell of her breast, a featherlight touch. My fingers trace up her neck until I reach her cheek. Cupping her face, I lean in and kiss her, my lips easily finding hers like a beacon in the night. As much as I want to devour her, I also want to take this slow. I want to cherish her taste, the way her soft lips feel pressed against mine. She’s leaving in two days, and I want this memory for when she’s gone, so I’m taking my time with her. I want to show her exactly how glad I am that she’s here tonight.

She came for me, and that’s a heady feeling.