Page 41 of Oz Wisdom

"I went to the bookstore and found a cookbook that looked easy to follow. I hope you're hungry.”

"Yes, I am. And I want to hear all about your week. But I need a quick shower. We’ve been on the road for the past two days with a night at a campground.”

"I'll set the table and have it ready when you get done,” she offered.

He scooped up his bag with a side glance toward Taylor. She appeared restless. Fidgeting and watching him. Her eyes filled with a desire he felt himself. She tucked her arms behind her back. Was she holding herself back from another hug? He wouldn't mind that. Although he felt at the moment he'd hold on and never let go.

He gave her wink and walked out. A shower was needed. And he'd show his hand soon enough. He knew what he wanted, and he had been patient long enough. He rushed through the shower and dressed and joined her in the kitchen, where they ate and shared the highlights of their week.

"You've avoided telling me about the rentals you looked at,” Oz confronted her, as they settled onto what had become their usual seat next to each other on the couch each night. His feet kicked up on the coffee table and she next to him with her feet crossed underneath her.

"I looked at three. They were all nice and in my budget.”

“Do you have a favorite of them?"

"Not really. They felt empty. All of them. And I couldn't bring myself to look at any more."

"They're empty until you fill them with your belongings and make them yours." He grinned.

She punched him playfully. "That is not what I meant."

"So, enlighten me."

"Each place was nice and would be a good place to live. But in every one, I found myself wondering what you would think about it. Where would be your favorite place to sit? Then it hit me that you weren't moving there with me. And the place suddenly lost its appeal.”

Oz focused on Taylor as she paused. She was nervous. He knew it. He had been patient this long; what was a few more minutes? "And why would that be?"

"I want to stay here. With you.”

"With me?"

Her nod nearly did him in.

She twisted in the seat and locked eyes with him. "With you. Oz, I've fallen for you. I want you, not your home, not your money, only you.”

Oz’s mouth was on hers in an instant. Delving deep. No more holding back. She tasted of sweet tea and felt like Heaven. Although her fingers burned his skin like the devil. He ripped his shirt over his head, tossing it to the floor. HE couldn’t say how or when their clothes disappeared. All he was sure of was that Heaven was finally in his hands. In his home. And he was never letting go.

Chapter 19

Taylor placed the last of the breakfast dishes in the sink, thankful that her back was facing Oz. He had been home a week and they had spent every minute together when she hadn't been at work. Every wonderful sensual moment. He had turned out to be like no one she had ever known. At times she felt as if she had fallen into a fairy tale or had been woven into one of Oz's romantic fantasies he wrote about.

A wistful sigh escaped her, recalling her early morning alarm of his mouth on her. The way he worshipped her body with each touch erased memories of the past replacing them with new hopes and dreams. Dreams of a long life together.

“Hey.” Oz appeared next to her, leaning his ass against the counter. "What are your plans for the day?"

She lifted her shoulder, keeping her focus on the sink as she wiped it dry.

"Darlin', you know I have to go. Things like this are going to happen.”

She knew club business would happen. Runs and rallies would happen. But a day with the families at the Landing with kids fishing and running around and dinner wasn't what she imagined to be a mandatory event.

"We were all gone last week. Today is family day, a 'thanks for not bitching' day, 'you're still important' day. Call it what you want. It's become a regular thing.”

"I get it. And I know you'll enjoy your day."

He tugged the washcloth from her hand that she continued to scrub the sink with, even though it had been dry after the first couple of passes. It fell to the clean steel bottom of the basin. "Come here." He maneuvered her between his feet. Her hands fell to rest against his chest.

"It's a family thing," Taylor said.

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