Feels Like Home (Southern Bride 5)

Bristol slid off the barstool and waited for me. I didn’t take my eyes off her. When she went to talk, I pulled her into my arms and kissed the living shit out of her.

For a moment, she was stunned, then her body melted into mine like fucking butter on a fresh, hot biscuit.

Holy hell, I missed this woman’s kisses.

My hand moved around to her lower back, and I tugged her closer to me. I could feel my cock waking up, and I pressed myself into her harder. She moaned slightly, and I knew if we didn’t stop this, I’d risk taking her right there in public.

When I drew back, her caramel eyes looked up at me in a daze.

“I fucking missed that,” I whispered as I pressed another quick kiss to her lips.

It took Bristol a few moments to get her wits about her, and I had to say, I was fist pumping internally knowing that I could still kiss her senseless like that.

Then I looked over to Annie. “Sorry about that. I haven’t been able to do that for a while, so it was nice to kiss my girl.”

“Your girl?” Annie and Bristol both said at the same time. Annie wore a smile. Bristol wore a stunned look.

I reached my hand out for Annie’s, and her gaze bounced between me and Bristol before she shook it.

“Anson Meyer. It’s a real pleasure to meet you, Annie. Bristol has told me a little bit about you. You own a tea subscription company?”

Annie’s smile dropped and was replaced with confusion. She turned to Bristol then back to me. “I’m sorry, I was under the impression you two were…friends.”

I laughed and pulled Bristol closer to me as I wrapped my arm around her waist.

“It’s a ruse we have to play for now, especially when I’m home in Comfort.” I faced Bristol and smiled. “Bristol and I have actually dated since high school. On and off, of course. But it is very much back on.”

Annie frowned and then stared at Bristol. “You told me you were friends when I asked you in the tea room.”

Bristol opened her mouth, licked her lips, then opened her mouth again. I gave her waist a slight squeeze, and she jolted.

“Well, no one knows we’re back together, so when you asked me in front of everyone, I had to say that we’re just friends.”

“We are friends, though,” I said as I kissed the top of her head. “Best friends.”

Bristol had her arm around my waist now, and I ignored the pinch she gave me.

“I see,” Annie said, her cheeks turning slightly pink. “I’m so embarrassed by what I said to you earlier, Bristol. Surely you know I was only kidding?”

“What you said?” I asked.

“Nothing. It doesn’t matter. I believe our table is ready now,” Bristol said.

Annie reached for her clutch and then slid off the barstool. I had been right. A very short black cocktail dress.

Bristol motioned for Annie to walk first, then shot me a what in the hell is going on look. I winked, took her hand and draped it over my arm.

I leaned down as we followed Annie. “I’ve always wanted to do that.”

Bristol giggled, then shook her head and slowed our pace. “What are you doing, Anson?”

“Go along with it, I’ll explain later.”

Annie stopped and faced us. “You two head on to the table, I’m going to run to the ladies’ room.”

“Of course!” Bristol said, wrapping her hand in mine and nearly pulling me toward the restaurant. They seated us right away in a back corner table with a beautiful view of the hill country.

“Anson! What was that?”

I smiled. “That was one hell of a kiss.”

She rolled her eyes and looked down, trying to hide her smile.

“Admit it, you liked it too.”

Her gazed jerked back up and met mine. “That doesn’t matter. What are you doing?”

“Saving this deal for you. If she thinks we’re together, she won’t expect anything from me, because let’s face it, I can’t take my eyes off of you to even think twice about her. By the way, you look stunning.”

Bristol’s eyes seemed to light up. I could see the gold flecks sparkle as the light from the chandelier shone down on us and practically danced in those beautiful eyes of hers.

“Thank you. This is, well, it’s actually one of Gram’s dresses.”

“I knew it. I love seeing it on you. I remember when you used to hold them up and pretend to dance in them.”

Her cheeks flamed, and my cock twitched in my pants.

“You look handsome as well, which isn’t a shocker by any means.”

I winked, and I swore her breath hitched.

“When did you come up with this little plan, and how did you know all that about Annie?” she asked.

“I came up with it about two minutes after my mother told me about her.”