Southern Attraction (Southern Heart 3)

I place my hand over hers that rests on the table. “We figure it out together.”

She nods and pulls her hand away when the waitress arrives with our appetizer. She laughs and wipes her eyes. “Dig in, country. I’m going home with you tonight, remember,” she tries to lighten the mood.

I let her, keeping the conversation light the rest of the night. At some point in the next couple of days, we really need to talk, but this isn’t the right place to have that conversation. I need to be somewhere I can hold her close. I need to show her what she means to me. I just enjoy the here and now and the beautiful woman sitting across from me.

“Thank you for dinner,” she says when we get back to my place to watch a movie.

Snagging my hand around her waist, I pull her close and hold her. “I have an idea.” I pull my phone out of my pocket and pull up my music app, scrolling through until I land on the song I’m looking for. Kane Brown’s “Better Place” flows through the speaker. I turn up the volume and set my phone on the table. “Dance with me,” I say, reaching out for her.

Her eyes light up. “How are you not already taken, Michael Wallace?”

I hold her tight, my arms wrapped around her. My hand slides under her shirt and the feel of her skin calms me. “I was waiting for you,” I reply, pressing my lips to hers. I can feel her melt against me once my words register. It’s true. No one before her mattered, even registered on my radar. It’s always been and will always be her, no matter where we end up. I’ll never love anyone the way I love her.

“Jamie,” I whisper. She looks up from where her head is resting on my chest. I stop dancing and cup her face in my hands. Her green eyes mist as if she already knows what’s coming. “I love you,” I say softly before pressing my lips to hers, not giving her the chance to say it back. I don’t want her to feel obligated, and I’m not sure how I’ll take it if she can’t say it.

Pulling out of the kiss, she peers up at me. “Mike.” She smiles. “I love you too.”

I pick her up and spin her around. “Say it again,” I demand. I need to hear her say it again.

She laughs, her smile lighting up her face. “I love you.”

When I place her on her feet, she falls back onto the couch. I take a seat beside her and she surprises me by crawling into my lap. My hands grip her thighs as she leans down and kisses me. Her tongue tentatively traces my lips and I open for her. She’s in control, and I’ll give her whatever she wants. She doesn’t seem to be in a hurry and neither am I. She’s here in my arms, in my home, and she loves me.

Her hand slides under my shirt. “How often do you work out?”

I chuckle. “Anytime I’m not at the bar. I also help Aaron and Evan on the farm when they need it. It’s good exercise. Actually, that’s what I’m doing tomorrow. They have some fence that needs fixed, and Aaron is freaking out about not having it all done before the wedding.”

“Why doesn’t he hire someone?”

I shrug. “He has farmhands, but I think he likes to do it on his own. He takes pride in the farm.”

“I can see that. So tomorrow, you’ll be there and then the bar?”

“No, Liv is taking tomorrow, and I’ve been given strict instructions to bring you with me. Whitney says she needs your help going over last-minute details for the rehearsal.”

“What time do we have to be there?” she asks, running her soft hands over my chest.

Leaning up, careful not to push her off my lap, I pull my shirt off. She grins. “I have to be there at seven in the morning. You can sleep in if you want and come by later.”

“Hmm, that’s early. I guess we should skip the movie and get right to the final festivities of the night.”

“Did you have something in mind?”

“I did, actually.” She stands and begins to undress.

“Jamie, we can go to my room,” I say. I have a pretty good idea of what this idea of hers consists of.

“I think we’re good here.” She reaches behind her and unclasps her bra, letting it fall at her feet. “Don’t you?”

She’s standing before me in nothing but a tiny pair of pale green panties. “Y-yeah, this works.” She renders me speechless.

“You’re behind.” She points to my pants that are growing increasingly uncomfortable.

I stand and quickly strip them off, boxer briefs and all. I raise my eyebrows in silent question, asking her what’s next.

“Sit.” She points to the couch.

I do as she says, grabbing my aching cock and stroking. I watch her as she slowly pulls her panties down and steps out one leg at a time, kicking them to the side. Her long blonde hair is hanging over her shoulders, her green eyes bright with happiness.