Page 37 of Blindsided

“I don’t mind. I’m an open book. Do you want to tell them about what’s going on between us?”

“I haven’t decided yet.” I cringe. “Does that hurt your feelings?”

Tilly reaches over to squeeze my thigh. “Of course, not. We’ve only just given ourselves permission to explore this. How about we don’t say anything at all? I think we can keep our hands to ourselves for a few hours.” She goes to pull her hand away from me, and I snatch it out of the air to put it back on my leg.

“Speak for yourself.”

Tilly laughs. “Then you get to tell them how you dirtied me up this morning.”

I groan at the image. “I will do no such thing. That will live in my memories as the best wake-up call ever.”

“Ever? Hmm. We could do so much better.”

“That’s not helping.” I move her hand across my hardening cock.

“Later.”

“I’ll hold you to that.”

Our stop at the store is quick. Tilly finds a bouquet that I can’t deny my mother will love. We’re only a few minutes later than the requested time when I park outside my parents’ house. I have to give Tilly props. Even when we plan these dinners in advance, I’m never this early.

Based on the cars, it seems everyone else is already here, so I wrap a hand around the back of Tilly’s neck and pull her toward me. Our lips meet in an easy kiss. Her pouty lips are pliant under mine, letting me take full control. I can’t wait to feel how her body responds to mine when we can take our time. This morning was quick and dirty. The next time I have her in my hands, I’m going to explore every inch of her. No matter how long it takes.

“I needed one more to tide me over,” I say against her lips when I pull back. She looks up at me with soft brown eyes, her lips curved in a smile. She’s fucking beautiful.

“Me, too.” She gives me a fast peck and then opens her door.

I follow her up the sidewalk. Her jeans look painted on, making her ass fucking bitable. I’m going to have to start writing down all the places on her body I want to get my hands on. It’s becoming more than I can keep up with.

I walk straight into the house without knocking. The living room is already packed with my siblings being rowdy. I grin and pull Tilly into the fray. If she thought we’d grown up at all since she was last here, she’d be wrong. So very, very wrong.

“Tilly Areneto! Get your cute ass in here,” Sara calls from the floor. She’s currently pinning Nolan to the floor, whose face is scrunched in concentration.

“Only if you promise not to do that to me,” Tilly responds just as loudly. A laugh jumps from my chest, and I’m not the only one. Adam and Ellie are sitting on the loveseat, grinning. Carter’s off to the side of Sara and Nolan, smirking, as he referees their match, while Natalie, Tucker, and their son, Noah, are on the couch giggling, watching the madness.

“Tap out, you big baby. I want to hug Tilly,” Sara growls down at Nolan.

“No, I almost had you.”

“You weren’t even close. But you’re getting there. Your sessions are starting to pay off,” Sara praises. Ellie and Sara both take self-defense classes, and it sounds like they’ve convinced Nolan to join them.

“Fine.” Nolan taps the floor, and Sara lets him go. She darts across the room and wraps Tilly in a hug.

“It’s so good to see you! How are you?” Sara pulls back, keeping her hands on Tilly’s arms. I have to give Tilly credit; she hasn’t looked overwhelmed for a second, despite the scene she just walked in on.

“I’m hanging in there. Matthew has been taking care of me.” Tilly smiles.

“In more ways than one, I hope.” Sara winks, and Tilly’s face blooms red.

I dart in between them and grab Sara into a headlock. “Hey, pest. Mind your business.”

Sara laughs, easily getting out of my hold. “So there’s business to know. Hmmm. Very interesting.”

I shove her. “Get outta here.” I grab Tilly’s hand, knowing there will be no hiding the chemistry between us. “This okay?” I whisper, squeezing her hand.

“More than.” Tilly’s eyes light up with her smile, and I couldn’t hide my own if I tried. Having her here with me feels more than right. It feels like she was always supposed to be at my side, surrounded by my family.

“You already know most of the people here,” I start. Natalie and Tucker come over, both of them holding Noah’s hand. “This is Natalie and her husband, Tucker. And this little dude”—I scoop up Noah into my arms and tickle his ribs, making him laugh—“is Noah, their son.”

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