Page 21 of Recklessly in Love

A laugh slips through my lips, and he chuckles. “I’ll take that as you’re up for that, too,” I tease.

Greg closes his eyes briefly, shakes his head, then reaches for my hand and places it over his boxers. Letting me feel the hard length of him underneath. “Definitely.” My breath catches, and I look up to find his eyes open again and fixed on my face. “But I’m not going anywhere, city girl,” he says in a deep, warm voice that washes through me like a balm.

I take a subtle deep breath. I’m too tired and in too much pain to deal with what I’m feeling and how that fits in the picture I had for my life. I’m not sure what excuse I’ll have once I’m feeling better, but one problem at a time.

“Good. Because tonight we’re going to have to settle for spooning,” I tease, trying to lighten the mood as I slip down so my ass is right over his hard cock.

He groans and rests his forehead on my back. “You’re killing me here.”

I laugh and pull his arm around me. “Well, if you’re not up for the challenge …” I wiggle my ass, and he laughs, thrusting his hardness into me.

“I am if you are,” he says huskily in my ear.

I bite into my bottom lip, even though I know he couldn’t see me if I did smile.

Well, when he puts it like that …

“Weren’t you listening? I’m always up for a challenge.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

GREG

I wake on Saturday morning with Joanie’s sweet ass still planted firmly over my hard dick. It makes me wonder if it ever calmed down. But feeling her in my arms right now? Worth a hundred cases of blue balls.

I also realize that since her fall, I haven’t thought about the fiasco that was the visit to see my family this past week. Not that I’m glad she was hurt, but it has distracted me from my pity party. But then, Joanie has been the distraction I didn’t know I needed from the moment we met.

I love Alpine Ridge. I didn’t come here to hide like Nate. I came here out of duty. Though like Nate, I stayed because I found peace here. But Joanie has blown that all apart. Because now? I want to be wherever she is. Maybe it’s just infatuation, but it’s certainly something I want to explore. Though to do that, I need her to see this as more than just sex.

Having to delay fucking until she’s recovered will help. Today, we’ll spend all kinds of non-sex time together, cookie decorating, sampling at the chili cookoff, and watching the orchestral Christmas Eve show. All low-key enough that they’ve been Nate-approved during Joanie’s recovery. And I will use every minute to convince her there’s something here. It’s a feeling that burrows deeper the more I’m around her, and I know she feels something, too. Or she would if she’d let herself.

Today’s mission: Give Joanie enough space and opportunity to connect with those feelings. With no pressure.

Easier said than done. Thankfully, I’ve already realized I’ll take whatever she’s willing to give.

* * *

“Are you sure you’re up for the show?” Mia asks Joanie for the third time in as many minutes. “You’ve already done so much today.”

Joanie rolls her eyes. “I ate my weight in cookies and chili, Mia, I didn’t run a freaking marathon. A little Christmas music will probably just put me to sleep.”

Mia looks pleadingly at Nate, but he shrugs. “I was worried last night, but she’s fine. Just let her enjoy the show, babe.” Mia grimaces but finally seems to accept it as we take our seats: Nate, then Mia, then Joanie, then me.

Joanie leans toward me and whispers, “On second thought, if Nate thinks I’m good as new, maybe we leave now and go back to your place.” She gives me a meaningful look.

And I’m so fucking tempted.

“No can do, city girl. Trust me; you’ll want to stick around for this.” I nod toward the stage where a jazz quartet has taken the low stage, along with Rae. Joanie quirks a brow at Rae’s appearance and gives me a look. I simply gesture to the stage with a smile as the musicians tune their instruments.

And then the show begins. Alpine Ridge may be a small town, but the people who own homes here are as cultured and varied as you’ll find anywhere. Three of the four were professional musicians at some point. And Rae …

“Oh my God,” Joanie gasps as Rae sings the first few notes of Let it Snow. She looks over at me with wide eyes, and I shrug. It surprises everyone when sweet, unassuming Rae busts out her sultry, smooth singing voice.

As Joanie watches the performance, I watch her. Her pure, simple joy. She’s been like this all day. Icing cookies like it wasn’t something mostly kids were doing. Tasting the various chilis like they were all gourmet. Experiencing everything in an un-sarcastic or cynical manner. Enjoying all the things that I enjoy about this small but tight-knit community. I’m not sure if it was the bump on the head or what, but she seems happier.

When the final notes of the last song fade, she looks over at me, her eyes filled with emotion. But then her brows bunch together.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” she asks.

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