Page 57 of Chasing Forever
It’s the truth. Every time I thought about that kiss today, butterflies tore through my stomach. The way his hands ran over my body, the moans that escaped from his throat, and his words that he’d been waiting for that moment for so long…
He asked to hold my hand as he walked me back to the house. The second-guessing didn’t come until I was driving home and passed a Vote for Watson sign. That’s when the weight of us hit me. Do I want to sign up for his parents’ judgment for the rest of my life? Sure, Brooks is upset with them, but in the end, they’re his family.
Then this morning, he walked into The Harvest Depot for coffee and smiled at me as if I’m the only thing that matters. His smile lit up the entire store, and he didn’t break his stride until he had backed me into the wall and kissed me thoroughly before telling me he’d thought of me all night.
“Look at you. You’re blushing.”
Sadie’s voice pulls me from my thoughts.
“It’s scary,” I confess.
She nods. “Anything worthwhile is. I can tell you not to worry, that Brooks isn’t going to hurt you, at least not on purpose, but my words aren’t going to convince you. Just keep moving forward. If you need to pause for a second and just live in the moment, do it, but keep pushing, Lottie. I know you’ll be rewarded if you keep pushing yourself forward with Brooks.”
I sigh and look out the window just in time to see his truck pulling down our drive. There’s no ignoring the way my body lights up, every nerve ending humming with the want to run down the stairs and beg him to kiss me again.
“Oh, you have it bad. Did you sleep with him?” Sadie stands and walks over to my closet.
“No. I’m not ready for that.”
She nods, going through my closet. “Understandable.”
“I feel like there’s more we need to discuss, you know? Both of us are going on attraction, I think.”
She laughs and pulls out a blouse, tossing it to me. “No, you’re not, but it’s cute you think so.”
I pull my T-shirt over my head and put on the blouse, then she throws me a pair of jeans.
“Sadie…”
She comes over and drops a pair of boots at my feet. “Listen. All of that will come. Don’t get ahead of yourself. This is the best part of starting a new relationship—the butterflies, the exhilaration, the excitement. You don’t want to miss it because you’re stuck in your head. I know it’s not easy, but push all the bullshit away and just enjoy yourself. You deserve to live in the moment. Forget everything except the two of you and how you feel when you’re with him.”
I stand and hug her. “Thank you.”
“I’m still sorry for pushing you instead of listening and trying to understand.”
I draw back then hug her again. “Stop apologizing. Thanks for putting up with my stubborn ass for so long.”
She laughs, and I sit on the bed to put on my cowboy boots.
“Well, someone has to.”
A knock lands on my door. Sadie opens it to find Romy holding Daisy out for her. “She’s looking for something I don’t have.” Then she turns to look at me. “Brooks is here for you, Lottie.”
“Sorry about that.” Sadie takes Daisy. “Let’s go home and get you fed, sweetie.”
“You better hurry. Scarlett and Poppy are giving Brooks the third degree about his intentions with you.” Romy laughs and scurries down the stairs.
I finish putting on my boots and grab my lip gloss, sliding it across my lips before heading down the stairs.
I’m within earshot when I hear Brooks say, “My intention is to fuck her against my wall tonight. And then take her on the kitchen table. After that, I plan on spreading her on my bed and feasting on her?—”
“Jesus, Brooks!” Poppy shouts. “This was all fun and games until you ruined it.”
“You asked. I’m just being truthful.”
I finish walking down the stairs, shaking my head. Only Brooks sees me because Poppy and Scarlett’s backs are facing me where they sit on the couch.
He rises from the chair, holding his cowboy hat against his chest. He’s wearing jeans and a T-shirt again, but tonight he’s got his cowboy hat with him. Although I didn’t mind him in his backward baseball hat the other night, this look is sexier. As if he made an effort to look good for me.
