Page 55 of Finding Home

Elle pressed her hand flat against the smooth sheets, grounding herself to this moment. This was the first time anyone had gone down on her. This was so intimate, her sex open and bare to him. Heat swept up her chest and face as her heart raced with the unexpected need tumbling within.

“Oh! I am delighted with this book! I should like to spend my whole life reading it.”

His words made her heart pulsate not just with the anticipated pleasure but with what he was saying. She was his favorite book, and he had no intention of putting her on the shelf.

“Northanger Abbey,” she gasped as he lathed his tongue through her folds.

Her fingers grasped the sheets finding purchase as he took her to the edge. The rhythmic pressure of his seeking mouth andlicking tongue and the sudden dip of his fingers inside her body urged a release from both the building tension between her legs and the fears of what would come next.

Thank you, Miss Austen.

TWENTY-ONE

“Do not be in a hurry, the right man will come at last.”

~Jane Austen,Pride and Prejudice

Who would have guessed Elle Davidson would be excited to go to the VFW? Wrapping up her workday early, she had enough time to change, freshen up, and get to the VFW by seven. With Clayton and Pete debuting as a one-night-only team, she wanted to be there for every second of it. Pulling on her favorite pair of skinny dark blue jeans and a flowy red tank, she felt sexy but not too sexy. She was going to the VFW to watch her uncle play darts, after all. The jeans screamed “Take me off!” while the top more subtly suggested “Take me to dinner first.” Although, she doubted she’d make Clayton take her to dinner before helping her out of these jeans.

After clasping on her starfish pendant and tugging a brush through her long hair, she grabbed a cardigan and headed out. The VFW parking lot was almost filled. Elle had to park around back, away from the main entrance.

“Hey, Laney!” Elle waved, walking over to the bar as she entered the VFW.

“Hey, Eleanor… Elle.” Laney said.

Guess that’s sticking.

“Do you know if Pete and Janet have ordered anything yet?” Elle asked.

“Nope, but I know they’re here. I saw Janet come in about ten minutes ago.”

“Great. Can I order a pitcher of Genny Lite, and an order of mild and an order of hot wings?” Elle paused, her face drawn into a hopeful expression. “Do you have Ketel One yet?”

“Still a VFW.” Laney rolled her eyes, filling a pitcher.

“A girl can dream. Vodka soda with whatever moonshine you have.” Elle took the handle of the pitcher as Laney pushed it toward her.

“I’ll bring the wings over when they’re out.” Laney smiled, handing Elle her drink.

“How much, Laney?”

"It's on him," she gestured to someone behind Elle.

Elle spun to find her favorite gray eyes looking at her. An unabashed grin accentuated Clayton’s strong jaw line.

“Hey, Laney.” He tipped his head toward Laney without breaking eye contact with Elle. “Elle.”

“Clayton.” Heat inched up her neck to her cheeks.It had been twelve hours since she last saw him, and they had texted on and off most of the day. Yet, her body reacted as if it had been days. Thethump, thumpof her heart drowned out the raucous laughter of the men at the corner of the bar.

“You look…” His darkening eyes raked over her. “…nice.” His lips said nice, but his stare said something else entirely.

“Thanks.” She licked her lips, staring at his mouth.

“I thought you’d like some help…” His voice was buttery as he bent close to her ear, his arm reaching around her to the bar. The warmth of his breath planted a phantom kiss below her ear as hespoke. “…with carrying all this.” Clayton’s tone was flirtatious as he straightened, holding the pitcher of beer.

Elle gulped her drink, her throat suddenly dry.

“Nobody is in the banquet room if you two need to be alone,” Laney snarked from behind Elle.

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