Southern Attraction (Southern Heart 3)

“Ladies,” he says, leaning over the couch and kissing the top of my head.

“Aw,” my friends say again in unison. Like I said, scary stuff.

He chuckles. “Good thing I called the guys. They should be here soon.” He walks around to stand in front of me, holding his hand out for me. I place mine in his and he brings it to his lips for a kiss before he gently tugs, pulling me to my feet. He takes my seat and brings me down on his lap. “Missed you,” he whispers in my ear.

I melt against him. “I missed you,” I say, but I don’t whisper. Our friends laugh.

“Knock, knock,” David calls out from the entryway. “Hey, babe,” he greets Liv.

“Hi. Thanks for coming to get me.”

“Wife.” Evan grins at Kinley. “You have a good time?”

“We did, right, ladies?” she giggles.

“And you, Future Mrs. Mills, you ready to head home?” Aaron asks.

Whit smiles up at him shyly and nods.

“Thank you so much for tonight. I had so much fun,” I say to the group.

“Thanks for the call, man.” David bumps fists with Mike. We all say our goodbyes and walk out on the porch.

“Drive safe,” he calls out as we wave to our friends driving off. “Let’s get you inside.”

“Sorry about the mess.” I survey the drink glasses and plates all over.

“Did you have a good time?”

“Yeah, it was nice.” I step out of his hold to start cleaning up and he pulls me back to his chest.

“I’ll put the food away. The rest can wait until tomorrow.” He studies me. “How much did you drink, babe?”

I hold up my thumb and index finger to attempt to show him. “Lil’ bit,” I say against his chest.

He chuckles. “Go up and get ready for bed. I’ll be right up.” He kisses my temple and releases his hold on me.

Doing as he says, I stumble my way to his room and strip out of my clothes. I’ve been sleeping in his shirt—well, on the nights that we go right to sleep. I’m thinking this is one of those nights. I didn’t realize I had drank that much.

In the bathroom, I wash my face and brush my teeth before climbing into my side of the bed. I know I’m wearing a goofy-ass smile when I think about having a side. He has one at my place too. I like it. I more than like it.

“What’s got you smiling like that?” Mike asks, entering the room and already stripping out of his clothes.

“This is my side of the bed.”

He chuckles. “Yeah?”

“Uh-huh, and you have a side at my place too.”

He shakes his head in amusement and heads to the bathroom. I let my eyes drift closed. His bed is so damn comfortable. I jolt when he climbs into bed and pulls me into him.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to wake you. Just needed for you to get into your spot,” he whispers.

“I’m on my side,” I say sleepily, relaxing into his hold.

“You’re side of the bed, but that’s not your spot. This is your spot, in my arms. This is where you belong.”

I feel him press a kiss to my head. “I love this spot,” I say with a yawn.