Page 34 of Sweet Southern Heat

That was why I needed to try to get him help. He was already unraveling with Olivia being back in town. This might push him over the edge, but I couldn’t let his past with Olivia rob meof a future with her. She was a breath of fresh air when I’d been suffocating for so long. She surprised me with her patient and gentle nature, her soft heart and empathetic soul. I’d been convinced she was a selfish, spoiled princess, but she'd proved me wrong at every turn. Once I shed the preconceived notions I had of her, I was able to see the woman she truly was.

We both deserved to be happy after the pain Lyle had caused us. He’d nearly killed Olivia, then manipulated me into thinking she was to blame. Despite all that, I never wanted to do anything to hurt him, but I wouldn’t let his possible displeasure keep me from finding happiness. I just had to find a program for him, so he could get clean and tackle his demons. He was clearly struggling with more than I’d realized, or he never would’ve embarked on this path to begin with.

Shaking away those thoughts, I pushed through the back door and entered the bakery. Olivia was already there, her hips swaying to the music playing in her earbuds. I stood at the threshold, watching her as she rocked back and forth. Her long, tan legs were on full display in her frayed denim shorts. The days were growing hotter, and the kitchen stayed a few degrees warmer than the rest of the building from all the ovens constantly running. It was a wonder she didn’t bake in her underwear.

That thought caused my dick to stir in my pants. I stalked toward her, needing to feel her skin against mine. After we came together for a second time yesterday, we'd spent most of the afternoon in bed, talking and touching. My fingers danced over her skin, and she’d explored my body with equal fervor. I’d learned more about her in those few hours than I had in the weeks she’d been back. And I suspected I’d only skimmed the surface.

I rested my hands on her hips, and she jumped but didn’t turn around. Dropping my lips to her bare shoulder, I pressed a kiss there, and she relaxed, melting into me.

“Landon,” she breathed, and my eyes fell closed at the heady sound. I loved the way she said my name. It was sensual and reverent at the same time. And I wanted to hear her scream it again.

My arms snaked around her waist, and I pulled her into me. Air hissed through her teeth when I pressed my erection to her ass. Then a groan fell from her lips, and she dropped her head back onto my shoulder. I could hear the music playing through her earbuds now. It was slow and sexy, the perfect soundtrack for what I intended to do to her.

A smile curved my lips as I dropped my hands to the waistband of her denim shorts and flicked open the top button.

“Landon,” she repeated, her voice taking on a warning tone. Her breath hitched when I slipped my hand inside her panties and cupped her.

“Already so wet for me,” I whispered against her ear, and a tiny whimper fell from her lips. Her hands curled around the edge of her work surface as my finger dipped inside her. I trailed that finger up to her clit and circled it. Her hips bucked as she chased her release, her ass grinding against my already straining cock. Just as her muscles began to tense, I moved my finger back to her pussy and plunged it inside.

“Fuck, Landon, I was about to come,” she panted.

“I know,” I replied with a devious grin.

“You bastard,” she said, and I chuckled. I continued to tease her, bringing her to the edge then changing things up again as I slid inside her. Over and over, I brought her to the brink, only to pull back at the last minute. She growled in frustration, her hands curling around my forearm as she tried to guide me back to her clit.

“Patience,” I crooned then nipped at her ear. Finally, I focused all my attention on her clit, and within seconds, she was trembling in my arms and muttering incoherently as the orgasm ripped through her. She sagged against me, and I held her up as her knees threatened to buckle.

Pulling my hand from her pants, I searched for a towel to wipe it clean. Instead, I caught sight of a glass bowl filled with some kind of chocolate sauce. I dipped my finger in it and brought it to her mouth, swiping it across her bottom lip.

“Suck,” I instructed. Her tongue darted out to clean her lips before she wrapped them around my finger. She hummed her approval, and my dick strained painfully against my zipper.

When my fingers were licked clean, I turned her to face me fully and gripped her by the base of the neck.

“It’s my turn for a taste.” I dipped my head and captured her mouth in a kiss. The richness of the chocolate mixed with the essence of her climax. It was the sweetest combination I’d ever tasted.

“I’m pretty sure this is a health code violation,” she said when I finally released her. “I’m going to have to toss this in the trash and start over.”

“Worth it,” I said, and she playfully slapped my chest. She went to the trash can and poured the sauce into the bag before dropping the bowl into the sink.

“You ruined my ganache.” She scowled at me, but there was no heat behind her words.

“There’s a lot more I’d like to do with your ganache,” I proclaimed suggestively, and she giggled.

“Get out of here,” she demanded and tried to push me out of the kitchen. I caught her arms and pulled her toward me.

“Think we could recreate this scene at your place tonight?” I asked, hope swelling in my chest. I wanted to see her again,and I wanted to touch her without having to worry about contaminating her workspace.

She smiled, the genuine one that made her dimples pop. Her big, brown eyes softened, and an expression I’d never seen crossed her face.

“I’d like that. I’ll make dinner.” Something unfamiliar and warm stirred in my chest. Nothing sounded better.

“Then you can be dessert,” I promised before striding out of the room to finish my work.

The second myshift at the garage was over, I clocked out and hopped in my truck. I couldn’t wait to see Olivia again. The flower shop came into view, and I decided at the last second to stop and get something for her. This was our first official date, and I wanted to do the gentlemanly thing. I didn’t want her to think all I wanted was sex. Although that part of our connection was incredible, we were more than that.

I pushed through the door of Twisted Tulip and stopped to take in the selection. I’d never been inside the shop before, nor had I ever bought flowers for a woman I was seeing. It was all new to me, and I suddenly realized I was in over my head. I knew flowers had different meanings, but wasn’t sure which type said, “I want to date you despite knowing it might destroy the only brother I have.”

I winced at that thought and moved further into the shop. There were a few pre-made arrangements and bunches of individual flowers. Rae Lynn looked up from the vase she was adding flowers to, and her eyes widened in surprise.

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