Page 26 of Sweet Home Louisiana

She turned to face him, her eyes wide.

“Until now.”

He reached for her.But there was a moment where she hesitated.

“This might be a bad idea,” she said softly.

He kept his hand outstretched, his heart banging against his chest.“No worries,” he said.“I hid all the matches.”

When that sunk in, her mouth curled slightly.“How about the wrenches?”

“Crap, I forgot the wrenches.”

“And there are a bunch lying around down here,” she said.

“There are.Even a few hammers.”

“So, this could be…risky.”

Risky.Yeah, that’s what this was going to be.But not because of the hammers.He wiggled his fingers.“Come here, Maddie.”

She pressed her lips together, but she did finally reach out.

He felt relief wash over him as she slid her hand into his.Then he pulled her in, bringing her up against his chest, wrapping his arms around her.And heat rolled through him right on the heels of that relief.

Maddie fit up against him perfectly.Exactly as he remembered.It took about five seconds, but when she relaxed against him and wrapped her arms around his back, they both sighed simultaneously.

He had to work not to squeeze her too tightly, but holy shit she felt good.

“I’m so sorry about Tommy,” he said gruffly.“I’m so fucking sorry.”

Her arms tightened around him.“Me, too.”

They stood like that for a long time.He could feel her heart hammering against his chest.

There was nothing he could say.There was nothing anyone could do to make this thing about Tommy better.He suspected the hug actually was making him feel better than it was her.

But yeah, it was definitely making him feel better.

Finally, he blew out a breath and lifted his hand to the back of her head, dragging it down the length of her hair.“Damn, girl, you smell so good.”

He felt her surprised laugh against his chest.“Well, thanks.”She rubbed her cheek against his shoulder.“You smell pretty good, too.”

The feel of hercheekagainst hisshouldermade his dick hard.

Well, fuck.

He couldn’t kiss her.He couldn’tnotkiss her.So he kissed the top of her head.And then started to let go of her.

But she tightened her grip on him.“Just another second.”

With a little groan, he pulled her in again, tucking her under his chin.“As long as you need.”

They were quiet for several heartbeats.

“I think I’ve done more hugging today than I have in the past five years put together,” she said after a moment.

“You knew that was going to happen,” he told her.

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