Page 41 of Home Changes
She nodded. “Later, much later.”
“Next year?”
She shook her head. “Next century.”
“That’s a long time.” He smiled down at her.
“Take a hint, Hansen.” She lifted her eyebrows at him.
That was all he needed.
Seth stood, one arm under her thighs, the other around her back. The porch swing rocked violently as he lifted her off it, but he didn’t pause. He carried her inside, his steps fast and sure, booted feet thudding against the old wooden floors. The door clicked shut behind them, Gomer glancing up from his place near Chester’s room before settling again with a huff.
Seth didn’t speak as he crossed the living room, his focus entirely on her. He pushed open the door to the guest room and stepped inside, kicking it closed behind him.
Allison’s back met the mattress, her breath rushing out of her as he followed her down. His mouth was on her neck, her jaw, her collarbone. She arched into him, pulling his shirt loose from where it was tucked into his waistband.
Every kiss, every touch, was confirmation that this moment was happening. And it wasn’t careful or tentative anymore. It was all-consuming. Unleashed. He’d never wanted anything so badly. His body ached for her, and the nights spent thinking of this moment didn’t compare to the real thing.
His fingers brushed the hem of her shirt and slid higher, pausing just beneath the lace of her bra.
“Allison,” he breathed against her skin, voice hoarse. “Tell me if you want to stop. You say the word, and I stop.” He’d stop. There was no question there. Whatever she needed, he’d make sure she got.
With her eyes locked on his, she shook her head. “I want this.”
His hand stilled, and his gaze searched hers, a flicker of tension passing through the heat.
Then she said it, soft but clear. “I need to tell you something.”
Seth froze above her, his body humming with restraint, breath coming hard.
“I’m still a virgin,” she whispered.
The room fell quiet. The only sound was the ticking of the old clock in the hall and the distant call of a night bird from beyond the window.
Seth blinked. His brow drew down. His mind tried to make that statement compute, but he couldn’t. Disbelief swamped him until he stared at her and saw the truth.
“You’re…wait, you’re serious?” His voice dropped, raw and reverent all at once. “Allison …”
Color rushed to her cheeks. “I know that’s probably not what you expected. But it’s true. I’ve comeclose before, but I never followed through. It never felt right.”
Seth leaned back slightly, his weight shifting to his forearms as he looked down at her, stunned. “You could’ve said nothing. I wouldn’t have known.”
“I didn’t want to do that,” she whispered. “Not with you. Honesty, always honesty.”
His eyes softened, and he reached up, brushing a strand of hair back from her face with aching gentleness. “Jesus, sweetheart.” He exhaled, his forehead lowering to rest against hers. “You’re … you’re giving me something you’ve never given anyone else.”
Her fingertips trailed down his arms. “This, us … It feels right, doesn’t it?”
For a long moment, he didn’t move. Just held her, forehead to forehead, their breath mingling in the space in between. “This feels perfect, and we’ll take our time,” he whispered. “We’re here, together. Right now. No pressure. No rush. Just us.”
The woman he held planted the biggest compliment and one hell of a serving of responsibility on him with those simple words. He didn’t want this to be a mistake for her. He needed this relationship to be solid and true, and he knew his intention toward her was honorable. Hell, he could see himself withher for the rest of their lives, but he wouldn’t scare her with that revelation.
Seth hovered above her, his eyes searching hers. He needed to make sure, one last time, that this wasn’t something she’d regret. “Babe,” he whispered again, barely more than breath, reverent and unsteady. “If I do this, I need to do it right.”
She reached up, her palm against the side of his face, thumb brushing over the edge of his jaw. “Then don’t be careful with me, Seth. Be real. I need real. I …” She closed her eyes. “You are who I want. Who I need.”
That did something to him. Unleashed something quiet and reverent that had been chained up behind all his restraint. He lowered his mouth to hers with aching need and every ounce of tenderness he could find. Their kiss was slow, sensual, and hot. He was no longer tentative. His hands moved beneath her shirt again, warm against bare skin as he lifted the fabric inch by inch, pausing only to make sure she was still with him.
