Page 54 of Where We Bloom

In less than forty-five minutes, we’re back in Bitterroot Valley. Connor pulls into my driveway and cuts the engine. I turn in the seat to face him.

“I’m grilling steak for dinner,” I inform him, not letting go of his hand. “You should join me. You did promise me the whole day, after all.”

He nods, watching me carefully. “I’d like that.”

“Great.” I push out of the Jeep and lead him to the front door, where I unlock it and step inside. After I kick out of my sandals, I turn to him. “Make yourself comfortable. Do you want something to drink?”

I don’t know why I’m suddenly nervous, but my stomach flutters in overdrive as I pad to the kitchen and open the fridge.

“I have water, iced tea, some beer that I’ll never drink now?—”

I feel the heat of him as he moves behind me and wraps his arms around my shoulders. He hugs my back to his front, immediately settling my stomach.

“This is nice,” I whisper, leaning against him.

“I don’t want you to be nervous, not now.”

I turn and wrap my arms around his middle as I stareup at him. “I’m not exactly good at being nervous. It doesn’t happen often.”

“Then why now?” He drags his knuckles down my cheek, then his hand is in my hair. Pushing his fingers through the strands, he’s putting me into a blissed-out coma. “We’ve been together all day.”

“The last time you were in my house,” I say, “I couldn’t bring myself to care because I felt like shit. I wassogrumpy and couldn’t get you out of here fast enough.”

He purses his lips, waiting.

“I’m sorry if that hurt your feelings.”

“My feelings are fine,” he replies, and his eyes narrow. “Do you want me to go?”

“No.” I shake my head and grip his shirt. “Absolutely not. It’s just,nowI have my wits about me and am a tiny bit self-conscious about my house. It’s a good house, but it’s small, and?—”

He shuts me up, thank all the gods, by covering my mouth with his. That hand in my hair fists, holding me where he wants me as his tongue brushes over mine.

I can’t help the moan that slips out of my throat. Jesus, I want to climb this man like a tree, and he told meno sexfor today.

That seems highly unfair.

“Never,everfeel self-conscious with me, angel,” he murmurs against my lips. “I’m perfectly comfortable here. As long as I’m with you, I’ve never been better.”

“Okay.” I lick my lips, still tasting him on me. “How do you like your steak?”

“Medium,” he replies.

“Good because that’s the only way I know how to grill them.” I laugh as I step away from him to pull out the ingredients for steak with salad and rice pilaf.

“What can I do?”

“Nothing.”

He takes my hand, pulling me to a stop, and drags one finger down the side of my neck, making me shiver.

“Keep flirting with me like that, and yourno-sexrule for today goes out the window,” I inform him, making his lips spread in that full smile that I love so fucking much.

“What can I do to help, bumble?”

“Do you know how to start a grill?”

“I’m a man. OfcourseI know how to start a bloody barbecue.”

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