Page 50 of Sweet Southern Heat

The sun had set,and stars lit up the night sky. Olivia’s eyes danced with excitement as the lights from the Ferris wheel cast a soft glow over her beautiful face. She sat across from me, peering over the edge and taking in the view around us while the cart ascended. I simply watched her, a soft smile playing on my lips. How had I ever believed I could give her up? She was magnificent, a kind, caring, beautiful woman with a soft heart, yet she was full of grit and determination. Sugar & Sage had always done well, but under her ownership, it was thriving. Just like her grandmother, she donated items from the bakery to local shelters and continued to purchase her supplies from Silver Oak Farms, despite being able to save money by using outside suppliers. She cared about our town and community, even though she didn’t feel welcome here after the accident. I was in awe of her, not just because she was drop-dead gorgeous, but because of her heart, who she was in the depths of her soul.

Our cart stopped at the top of the Ferris wheel. You could see damn near all of Magnolia Grove from this spot. The viewwas breathtaking, but the view inside this ride was even more beautiful. I just hoped the twenty I slipped the operator was sufficient for him to keep us up here long enough to win my girl back.

Olivia turned her beaming smile toward me, and my chest squeezed at the sight. Pure joy emanated from her entire being. I leaned forward and clasped her hands in mine. I drew in a deep breath and released it as I built up the courage to say what was on my heart.

“I’ve done a lot of thinking over the last couple weeks, and I realized I made a huge mistake.”

“Landon,” she said, her soft voice sliding over my name like a plea. The understanding in her gaze felt like an arrow straight through my heart. She was so good,toogood for the likes of me, but I was a selfish bastard. I wanted her, even if I didn’t deserve her. And if she gave me another chance, I would make sure she never regretted it for the rest of our lives.

“Our past is complicated. It’s going to take a lot of work to navigate a relationship between us, but I’m willing to do what it takes. I’ll talk to my brother. I’ll make sure he knows just how much you mean to me. I won’t rest until he understands that you hold my heart, and I’m not willing to give you up again. He’s my brother, and I’ll always love him, but you are the other half of my soul.”

A single tear spilled over her lashes and slipped down her cheek. I brushed it away with my thumb, using the contact as an excuse to cup her face in my hand. She leaned into my touch, and I swallowed thickly, my heart in my throat as I tried to calm my racing pulse.

“I know we never put a label on what we were before, and quite frankly I’ve never been big on labels, or commitment for that matter,” I began, and she released a teary chuckle. She was no stranger to my reputation. I was a no-strings-attached kindaguy. Until her. “But I want that with you. I want all of it. I want you to be my girlfriend. Officially,” I added, and she cupped her palm over my knuckles. Her eyes fell closed, basking in my touch, and I continued. “But more than anything, I want you to bemine.”

Olivia smiled, her eyes watery as she held my gaze. Her soft brown eyes shone with a warmth and affection I’d never experienced before.

“You silly man,” she said, shaking her head, “I’ve been yours since the moment I set foot in this town again.” She launched herself into my arms, and our bucket swayed. Her hands cupped my face as she pulled me in for a kiss. I dropped my hands to her waist as she settled into my lap. My tongue swept over her lips, tasting the salt from her tears. She opened for me, and I dove in deeper, our tongues colliding and battling for dominance. I groaned into her kiss and pulled her closer. I needed to feel her pressed against me, to know this was real. She was really here, in my arms, and willing to give me another chance.

The ride began to move again, and she pulled away. She pressed her forehead to mine, our noses brushing tenderly against each other’s before she leaned back to look at me.

“Does this mean you’ll give me another chance?” I asked, searching her gaze. A wry grin spread across her lips, and a mischievous gleam twinkled in her eyes.

“The jury’s still out on that one.” She was taunting me now. Well, two could play that game.

I gripped her hips and tugged her forward. Her dress rode up her thighs as I urged her to fully straddle me. She gasped and clasped her hands on my shoulders as her core met my rock hard erection. Running my nose up her throat, I breathed in her sweet scent. She arched her back and snaked her arms around my neck.

“I can be a very persuasive witness,” I whispered, peppering kisses along her jaw. My arms curled around her, and I tangled a hand in her hair as the other splayed over the small of her back. “Now come here and let me present my evidence.”

I crushed my mouth to hers in a punishing kiss. She moaned and arched into me, her breast pressing into my chest. I savored her, licking into her mouth and tasting the sugar from our shared dessert on her tongue. We slowly descended on the Ferris wheel, and just before we came into view of the crowd on the ground, she pulled away. We were both panting, and the heat of her gaze had fire coursing through my veins. I needed her like I’d never needed anyone before.

“Take me home,” she breathed and pressed one final kiss to my lips before returning to her seat. Her dress was still bunched around her hips, and I reached for her hem to pull it down. No sooner was she covered when we reached the bottom. The man controlling the ride unlatched our door, and I climbed out. Reaching for her hand, I tugged her to her feet and practically dragged her to my truck. We reached it in record time, and I pulled her to me, pressing her to the passenger side door.

“I can’t wait to get you home,” I growled against her mouth. She clung to me, raking her hands through my hair while I kissed her senseless. Reluctantly, I broke our connection and yanked open her door. “Get in,” I demanded, and she obeyed. She stepped up into the truck, and I placed my hand on her ass to give her a boost. I was a Southern gentleman, after all.

We made the short drive back to her house in record time. I was impatient to get her alone, and the streets were practically empty. My hand found her leg, and she sucked in a sharp breath when it landed high on her thigh. I teased the edge of her dress before sliding my hand higher. She squirmed in her seat as my fingers brushed over the tender skin of her thigh, inching closerto her pussy with every passing stroke. When my fingers met the damp cotton of her panties, I nearly swerved off the road.

“Fuck, Olivia,” I groaned. “I wanted to take my time with you, but you’re already so wet; I want to dive right in.” She let out a soft moan, and her head fell back on the seat as I stroked her through the soaked fabric. My restraint was hanging on by a thread, and I briefly considered pulling over to give us both some much needed relief, but we were almost to her house.

I threw my truck in park and hopped out the moment we hit her driveaway. She met me at the hood of my truck, and we collided in a frenzy of grasping hands and frantic kisses. Somehow, we managed to make it inside. I slammed the door shut and pressed her against it.

“I need to taste you,” I confessed. “Now.” She whimpered at the demand and melted against me.

“Please,” she said, and I relished her begging. Lifting her into my arms, I headed for the stairs as she wrapped her legs around me.

“I’ve missed you so much,” I admitted between kisses, my voice strained and throat thick with emotion.

“I missed you too,” she replied, bringing a hand to my cheek and tenderly cupping my face.

“Olivia, I … fuck. I think I’m falling for you,” I confessed, and my voice hitched. “I think I’ve been falling since the moment you lifted that defiant chin and told me you’d rather walk to town than ride in the tow truck with me.” She giggled and shook her head.

“That’s not what I said.” I chuckled and shot her a playful grin.

“I’m paraphrasing.” Her expression sobered, and her eyes filled with an emotion I couldn’t name. There was hope, longing, and trepidation swirling in the bottomless depths of her chocolate irises.

“I think I’m falling for you too.”

Those seven words were my undoing.

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