Tumble (Dogwood Lane 1)
“There are extra toothbrushes under the sink in the bathroom. You can sleep in one of my shirts after I get you naked for a while.”
Sauntering toward him, I toss a playful grin his way. “I like the way you plan, Mr. Madden.”
“There will be no reason for you to leave. I guarantee that.”
“I need to schedule a moving company to get my stuff from New York. I don’t know how to do that, being here.”
“Maybe we’ll take a little family vacation to the city. That should terrify Mia enough to never leave home again.”
I sit on the edge of the bed. “Come on. It wasn’t that bad, Dane.”
“It smells like piss. There are no trees. Everyone is in such a hurry.”
“I’ll take you around and you’ll at least like it. I promise.”
He reaches up and jerks me down beside him. Nuzzling his face in the crook of my neck, he breathes in deep. “I like you.”
“I like you too.”
“I’d like you better if I was inside you.”
“I’d like that too.”
Much to my surprise, he doesn’t roll me over right away. He doesn’t order me to get naked or palm my breasts. He just lies behind me and breathes evenly.
“I need to call my mom and let her know I’m back,” I say.
“Tomorrow,” he mumbles. “Let me have you to myself tonight.”
“You have me to yourself forever, dude.”
He yawns, pulling me closer. “I like the sound of that.”
I lie in his arms for a long time, listening to his breathing fall into a steady rhythm. It’s the most peaceful thing I’ve ever felt.
Once I’m sure he’s asleep, I sneak out of his arms and get ready for bed. It feels different now that I live here. I don’t want to stick my stuff in places it doesn’t belong, but I don’t know where to put my clothes either.
Dressed in one of Dane’s T-shirts, I fold my clothes and put them on a chair. I turn back around to see Dane watching me. His hair is mussed, his eyes sleepy. He’s a mixture of adorable and sexy, and I know I’ll never get tired of seeing this side of him.
“I wasn’t leaving,” I say, climbing back in bed. “I just needed to get my shoes and stuff off.”
“Could’ve left this off too.” He flicks the cotton material away from my skin. “Although there’s something inherently sexy about a woman wearing your clothes.”
“Is that right?”
“Yup.”
He takes my hands and pulls me down. Rolling me onto my back, he situates himself over me. Those green eyes I fell in love with years ago shine back at me.
“I hope you aren’t tired,” he says, bringing the shirt I just put on up and over my head. “Because it’s going to be a long night, Miss Kimber.”
I move around so his cock is between my legs. Lifting my hips, he slides through my part.
“Look at you,” I say, holding his head in my hands. “You’re so erect.”
“I’ll show you erect.”
I laugh for a split second before he makes me forget about anything other than him, me, and this night.
Being home.
EPILOGUE
NEELY
The glitter is so hard to get off, though.” I stick the key in the door and swing it open. “After you.”
Mia walks in with her bags from today’s shopping excursion after Manicure Day. “I liked the pink glitter, but Madison got that and I didn’t want to look like I was copying her.”
“I’m sure she wouldn’t have cared,” I note. “But I still think the navy blue is super pretty on you.” We pile the bags near the foot of the stairs. “They make your eyes pop.”
“Thanks.” She wraps her arms around my waist for the sixth time today. “Thanks for taking me today, Neely.”
“Are you kidding? I needed a manicure, anyway. And besides, if I hadn’t taken you, I’d have been stuck here all day with your dad.”
“Did I hear my name?” Dane comes around the corner. He has a paintbrush in his hand. “Did you guys have fun today doing all the girlie things?”
“Look at this.” Mia wiggles her fingers in front of her dad. “Pretty, huh? Neely helped me pick the color.”
“I love it.” He looks at me and shrugs. “We love it. Right?”
“Yes, we love it.” I laugh. “I got it too.”
“And our toes are red. Mine is more pinkish,” Mia explains, “but Neely got cherry red.”
Dane turns so Mia can’t see him and grins devilishly. I look away before I can’t.
“Why don’t you take your things up to your room?” I ask Mia. “And put them away. I don’t want to find them thrown over a chair.”
“Really?” she moans.
“I can take them back.”
She looks like she’s going to stomp off and then stops and laughs. “Fine. I’ll put them away. Thanks again, Neely.”
“You’re very welcome.”
She gathers the bags that are hers and heads upstairs. Once she’s gone, I look at Dane. “Did you ever even look at her? Or have you stared at me this entire time?”