Page 25 of Come Back to Me

I hold one of her hands prisoner, splayed next to her head. While the other, I clasp over her breast where we both favor it. I massage and tease her rosy nipple. It’s thrilling, and when she moans, I nearly break free inside her.

Giana lets me guide us, and she simply rides it out. I pick up the tempo as the pleasure builds. But I’m not as sloppy as the first time. This time, I have a bit more control. It goes to my head. It’s intoxicating.

The desire to spend the rest of my life doing this, with her, is taking precedence over every other want I’ve ever had. I decide at this moment, whatever it takes, I’m going to make it happen. I’m going to make her mine.

The morning the bank gives us the keys to the cabin, it’s warmer than it’s been all summer. Pete’s grandfather loans me the hardware store’s truck again to move our belongings. Pete and Nettie meet Giana and me at the cabin and help us unload the truck.

Carrying Giana across the threshold feels fitting even though we’re not newlyweds. Hell, we’re not even married. I want to ask her to marry me. But with Giana, it can’t be a cliché. I already know I’ll be waiting through most of the summer for the right time.

Instead, I hand Giana the keys and let her do the honors. We say nothing ’bout the broken windows that we could easily crawl through. Because this is meaningful.

The cabin isours.

The key jiggles in the lock, and she turns the knob. I follow her inside and study her as she glances around the space like she hasn’t been in here a hundred times before. It feels like my greatest joy watching her as she experiences this. But I also can’t help from letting my mind think how all I want to do is christen every room in this cabin.

Giana spins around, reining in my wandering brain. A wide smile builds on her face, and it causes my heart to swell. Witnessing her dreams come to fruition is an honor.

“I can’t believe it. I can’t believe this place is really ours.” She covers her still-smiling mouth and shakes her head in disbelief.

I wrap my arms around her and lift her off her feet, swinging her around, and she squeals in delight.

“Ours, Sugar,” I say into her ear, my stubbled chin scraping her cheek.

She pulls back, cupping my neck in her hands, and peers into my eyes. “Ours.” She kisses my greedy mouth.

I nibble her lip before we part, and I reluctantly set her back on her feet.

Instead of seeing this rehabilitation as daunting, an eagerness reflects on her face. She hunches her shoulders. “Where should we start?”

“Personally, I think we should christen this room.” I grin, and when her eyes lock with mine, she snorts a laugh into her hand.

“Later we’ll play,” she says reassuringly, patting my chest and leaving me craving for more of her. “First, we work.”

“I’m all for playing,” Nettie says from behind us.

Turning around, I find Nettie holding a box in her arms. I take it from her, and she swipes an arm across her forehead.

“It’s hotter than blazes out there,” Nettie says.

Pete enters the cabin next. “What do you say we take a break and go swimming in the creek?”

“I’m not opposed to that idea,” Nettie pipes up.

Giana puts a fist to her jutted hip. “Silly me, I thought you two came to help.”

“We did. You’re right.” Nettie glances around. “What would you like us to do?”

“For starters, we gotta get the new windows in and the floorboards all buttoned up. Gotta keep the critters out.”

“I’m all for that,” I say. “Pete and I will get started on the windows. But before the sun goes down, we’re all jumpin’ in that creek.”

“Deal,” Giana says, leaning over and pressing a kiss to my already sweaty cheek.

The cabin is small with few windows, so we get them put in by late afternoon. The girls make quick work of uncovering the musty sheets from the existing furniture and kitchen counters. They sweep away cobwebs, set out mousetraps, and get the water running in both the bathroom and the kitchen. A working toilet feels halfway like a miracle.

Giana holds up her end of the deal. Sweaty and spent, we carry towels and an ice chest packed with beer and sandwiches for an early dinner down to the creek. I’ve never been more excited to jump into a filthy body of water than I am right now. The dipping sun reflects against the shimmering surface.

The four of us strip our clothes off, all inhibitions tossed to the wind. We’re too hot and sticky to care.

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