Page 75 of All Along

I waggle my eyebrows. “If you stay and watch, I’ll take my shirt off.”

Her eyes flare and I step toward her. The wood can wait. I wrap an arm around her waist and haul her near.

She looks up at me from beneath her lashes. “It’s a tempting offer.”

“Let me sweeten the pot,” I murmur before I touch my lips to hers. I trace her bottom lip with my tongue. “Let me in, Bunny.”

She opens on a sigh and I thrust my tongue into her mouth. Her honey taste hits me and I moan. I’m quickly becoming addicted to the taste. I’ll never get enough of it. I want to taste it every day for the rest of my life.

She clings to my shoulders and I grasp her hips to lift her up. She wraps her legs around my hips and—

Her phone beeps.

She disengages from me and rushes to her phone. She reads the message and swears under her breath. “I need to go. The Gourmet Corner grocery store representatives are visiting today, and Paisley is freaking out about them entering her brewery.”

She runs around in circles as she searches for her coat, keys, and bag. I stand at the door and jingle her keys.

She rushes to me and snatches them. “Thank you. I’ll be home late.” She rushes out the door but skids to a halt and whirls back around. “I mean back at the cabin late. This isn’t my home. It’s your home. I’m not… I mean…”

She flaps her arms and I chuckle. She’s adorable when she’s flustered.

I stalk to her and palm her neck. “This is your home, too. I want you with me wherever I am.”

She blows out a breath. “Okay, but we’re not living together or anything.”

I kiss her nose. “Love you, Bunny. Now go before you’re late.”

I spin her around and pat her ass to get her moving. She yelps before rushing down the porch steps to her car.

I watch her drive off. The driveway is as bumpy as ever. I need to get it fixed. Although, I won’t be living here forever. As soon as my injury is healed, I’ll be gone again.

I frown. I need to discuss the future with Maya, but I’m worried about her reaction. She’s going to be upset when she finds out I plan to return to active duty. She admitted she worried about me when I was gone, and I hate for her to worry. But I’m a soldier. It’s the only thing I know how to be.

I force thoughts of the future away. They’re a problem for another day.

I make my way to the backyard to chop wood for the fireplace. I grab the axe and get to work. It isn’t long before my arms, shoulders, and upper back are aching from the workout.

I need to get back to the gym and work on my upper body strength. My core and leg muscles are getting worked plenty at physical therapy, but I’ve been neglecting the other muscle groups.

Despite the cool wind blowing off the Atlantic Ocean, I’m sweating up a storm. I stop to remove my flannel shirt.

“Caleb!”

I glance over my shoulder to discover Hudson leaning against the cabin.

“Are you watching me chop wood?”

He chuckles. “I’ve learned it’s better not to interrupt a man working with an axe. Especially if he’s former military.”

I scowl. I’m notformermilitary.

“You ready for a break? I have a proposition for you.”

I grunt and march to the cabin. I open the door to allow him to enter first before following him inside.

“Coffee?”

“Sure,” Hudson says as he scans the place. “Things have changed in here. It has a woman’s touch now.”

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