Page 96 of Growing Into Love

“YES!” Winter shouts, punching the air.

“Oh my god, I’m so happy for you guys,” Autumn says, throwing her arms around me and sobbing into my shoulder.

“Hey, it’s okay,” I say, a bit taken aback by her reaction.

“Sorry,” she says, sniffling. “It’s the hormones.”

“She had a full-on meltdown over a commercial for dog food last night,” Winter says.

“The dog didn’t have a home!” Autumn insists. “And then he got adopted and oh, crap, I’m gonna cry again.”

I feel light-headed. Virgil is clapping Jaz on the back and Gran takes my hands.

“Oh Cassandra,” she says, beaming. “Look at you, all aglow! First the Grand Prix and now this.” She sweeps me up into a hug.

“Congrats, Jaz,” Virgil says. He shakes his head and laughs. “Christ, that must have been some trip! Can’t wait to hear all about it.”

“Er, do you still need me or…” Ernie looks around at all the smiling faces. I glance at Jaz, now rather regretful everything turned out so well and trying to communicate with my eyes that I’d love to flee to his place anyway.

“Actually, if you all don’t mind,” Jaz says, taking my hand. “Cass and I were thinking about decompressing a bit at my place.”

“Of course!” Gran says, ushering us toward the car. “Declan will bring your luggage up to your room, love. You two go have a minute to yourselves. Oh, but Jaz, you must come round for dinner tonight.”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world, May,” Jaz promises. “I need some proper English cooking.”

“That you do, lad,” Gran says with a chuckle.

We slide into the backseat of Ernie’s car. “That went well,” Jaz says.

I laugh. “The understatement of the year.”

“So, you two are an item now, are you?” Ernie says. Jaz and I smile at each other. The news is going to get around Hart’s Crossing faster than you can say Windy Acres.

It’s a short drive to his house and when we step inside, my skin starts to tingle. All the exhaustion from the long day of travel vanishes as Jaz drops his keys on the kitchen table and sweeps me up in his arms.

“Welcome home, Cassandra Wright,” he murmurs, brushing his lips against mine.

My mouth parts for him, our kiss deepening. It still takes my breath away, that I get to touch him like this. I hook my fingers under his Liverpool jumper and he needs no more encouragement to slip it over his head. The sight of his bare chest makes the tender spot between my thighs begin to throb. I run my hands over the hard muscle, delighting in his little gasp when I pinch his nipple.

“Saucy thing,” he says, cradling the nape of my neck and pulling me in for another kiss. His other hand slips beneath my tee to stroke the length of my back, brushing the side of my waist and traveling up to squeeze my breast. I moan against his lips as he ducks his hand under my bra to tease at my nipple.

“You’re making me wet,” I groan.

“Let’s see about that,” he growls, pushing me back so that I’m leaning against the kitchen counter and dipping his hand beneath the line of my trackies.

“Oh,” I gasp as he finds my clit, his strokes smooth and sure.

“Oh my fucking god,” Jaz moans, his fingers slippery with my passion. He slips one finger inside me and I wail against his cheek.

“More,” I beg and he sinks in deeper. I writhe against him, chasing that ultimate high as he sucks on my neck, teasing my clit and then dipping his finger inside me again.

“Come for me, baby,” he murmurs.

Suddenly, the doorbell rings.

Jaz and I break apart, both startled. I’m shivering all over, my body like a live wire. I want to murder whoever chose this moment to come by.

“Who could that be?” Jaz wonders aloud. The doorbell rings again. “Crap, maybe it’s my mum, I told her we were coming back today. Hold on.” He grabs his jumper off the floor and puts it on.

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