Page 26 of Summer Redemption

“I never really allowed myself to dream much past Limitless. It wasn’t like I knew I was meant for more like Noel or Carson,” there’s a wariness in his voice, like he’s afraid of my reaction.

“And that’s more than okay too,” I point out. “You live on some of the most beautiful land I’ve ever seen.” When he looks at me, a small smile plays on his lips like he’s pleased to know I love his family’s land. “You know,” I begin, “not long before I was leaving for college I went out to Limitless with Wilber. Remembering that sight, the way it smelled, the way it felt, helped me not feel so homesick and lost while I was in school. Iwould tell myself that I just needed to keep going so I could get home. It wasn’t Wintervale I pictured; it was your land. And you get to live out there and feel that all the time.”

“I guess I am pretty lucky,” he admits softly as he pulls me onto his lap so I’m straddling him.

My cheeks heat, but I don’t let myself get lost in lustful thoughts. It’s not easy to do when I can feel the hard ridge of his cock press against the apex of my thighs just right.

“You can’t forget how amazing your family is either,” I remind him. “I’ve never had siblings, and I was lonely sometimes.” I shrug and look away from the intense way he’s looking at me. “I had Sofie, but it wasn’t quite the same.”

“But you have family now that’s bigger than just your parents,” he points out, his tone tentative. “You’re my family. You’re a Burns.”

I gasp and rear back from him slightly. There’s no way I just heard him right.

CHAPTER 10

HUXLEY

My heart is pounding, and Sunshine looks shocked as hell. I’m a little bit surprised at myself that I just told her that she’s a Burns. I’m not nervous about what I just said, because I know it’s the truth. What scares me is her reaction.

But now is the time to be brave and take a chance.

“I know it’s fast and that it might feel like too much, Sunshine,” I keep my words measured and even, hoping I don’t scare her off, “but it’s true. I liked you all those years ago, but I didn’t know you. Since you’ve come back, you’ve given me the greatest gift I’ve ever been given. You’ve allowed me to get to know you and I’m now certain of something I wasn’t ready for before—you’re my future.”

Her mouth opens and closes a few times, her eyes looking a little wild as she stares at me in disbelief.

While her reaction could make me wary, it has the oppositeeffect on me. It makes me even more certain that what I’m saying is the truth.

“I want it all with you. I want the happiness and the fights. I want the making up and the strength of being at your side. I want a wedding and kids and a family that is just ours. I want dinners around the table and smiles in our hearts. I’m all in.”

“You want all of that with me?” Her tone is full of uncertainty, but I can hear the hope underneath it.

“I want everything with you, Little Ray. I need you in my life. Before it was a crush, silly and fleeting, but now I’ve gotten to know you and there is not a doubt in my mind that you’re it for me.”

“I don’t know what to say,” she whispers.

Even though my heart sinks, I don’t allow myself to get lost in doubting what this is between us. Working a little harder for her isn’t a bad thing, it’ll only make us stronger in the end.

“Have you enjoyed spending time with me?” When she nods, my hands slide down her thighs and then back up to where I grip her hips and hold her in place. Having her in my lap makes it difficult to concentrate because I want her so fucking badly. “Are you willing to keep exploring this between us?”

“Yes,” the word comes out stronger than I was expecting and it makes me feel like I’m floating, “I’m willing to give this a try.”

“That’s all I’m asking for,” I tell her.

Before she can get in her head or second guess what is growing between us, I slam my mouth down onto hers. She melts against me, and my cock fucking begs to be buried inside of her. It’s probably too soon. It’s not easy to hold off, but if it’s the right thing to do then I’m more than willing to wait.

I’m not going to push her. I’m not going to demand more than she’s willing or capable of giving.

Because I’m not willing to bargain with our future.

“Sunshine,” I grunt against her lips after the kiss deepens. The feeling of her body against mine is everything. “Fuck, I want you.”

When she moans, I swallow down the sound and I almost lose the grip on my control when she starts to grind down against my painfully hard cock. Our make out sessions have gotten steamier over the last two weeks. I’ve been able to map her curves with my hands and, fuck, she feels good.

“Hux,” she moans, “please.”

My body stills as I pull away from her and take in the flush of her cheeks and the lust in her eyes. She’s so fucking gorgeous right now and takes my breath away.

My voice is rough, “What do you want?”

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