Page 41 of Mine To Keep (Southern Wedding)

“So,” she starts, turning on the couch toward where I stand, “what do you want to talk about?”

I put the pad down and sit down next to her. “I imagine it has to do with the last two times we kissed.”

“You would be right.” My chest feels like someone just kicked me in it. “I don’t know where to start.”

“How about you start by saying that kissing me was not a mistake,” she encourages softly.

I shake my head and wrap my arm around her waist, pulling her to me. My head moves down, stopping right before her lips. “Trust me, kissing you was the opposite of a mistake.”

nineteen

Grace

My heart hammers frantically in my chest as I ask him if he regrets kissing me. It beats even faster when he shakes his head, my head in a fog, not sure what is going on. All day all I’ve been thinking about was his kiss, his hand, his cock. It was like a repeat film in my head all day long, then he showed up and it was like my prayers were answered. He pulls me to him on the couch and I look up at him. Into the blue eyes that seem to calm and excite me at the same time. I see his mouth moving, my brain only picking up the last part. “Opposite of a mistake.”

“Oh, good,” I say, throwing my legs over him to straddle him. Something I’ve thought about doing for the last two weeks. Okay, fine, since I first met him. “I was hoping you would say that.” I sit on his lap, his cock exactly where I’ve wanted it all day long.

“We should talk,” he says at the same time his hand goes to my hair, and he fists it in his hand, pulling me to him. My mouth opens to yelp, giving him the opportunity to attack my mouth. His tongue slides into my mouth, and my body lights up like a fucking firecracker.

My hand goes from his chest up to his face and then to the back of his neck. His body relaxes into the couch, taking me with him. His hand grips my hip as I move my head to the side, taking his tongue deeper into my mouth. “Let’s talk.” I let go of his lips and mouth, then he attacks my neck. My clothes feel like they are strangling me.

“I want to date you,” he declares when he finally lets go of my neck. I lift my eyebrows when I hear his words. “Is that stupid?” He tries to take it back, and I shake my head, not going to let him.

“No.” I smile so big my cheeks hurt. “It’s not stupid.” I hold his face and kiss his lips. “It’s the opposite of stupid.” I use his words so he knows how not stupid it is to me.

“Good, I’m also going to point out I’ve never dated anyone in my life.”

His admission shocks me. “You have a child.” I laugh, and then he smirks.

“There wasn’t really dating involved. We just fell into a routine.” He leans up to kiss my jaw. “But with you…”

“Yes?” I push, my hands going to his chest, feeling his heart beating underneath my fingers.

“With you, I want things.” His voice is soft. “Things I shouldn’t want.”

“Like what?” I ask him, the seriousness of his voice scaring me.

“Like, to be with you. To kiss you. To hold your hand. To take you out on dates and have everyone envy that I’m the one with you.” He takes a deep breath. “Just like I was envious of JB when I thought he was your boyfriend.”

“Why do you think you shouldn’t want me?” My voice is soft and low, my heart beating at the same time as his.

“Because you are so young,” he admits, and my heart sinks. I’ve never really had my heart broken before, but I know he has the power to do this. “I’m way too old for you.”

“It’s ten years, Grandpa,” I huff, my voice going louder, “and the only one hung up on my age is you.”

“Really?” he goads me. “So, if you tell your parents you’re dating a single father who is ten years older than you, they’re going to welcome me with open arms?”

I laugh. “Don’t be ridiculous. You could be a monk in a monastery, and they still wouldn’t welcome you with open arms.” I shake my head. “No one is going to welcome you with open arms. That’s not the way it works.”

“Everyone I know loves you,” he counters, frustrated. “Nash especially,” he growls, his teeth gritted together. “Today he asked if he could date you.”

“Really?” I shriek, and it just makes his jaw even more tight. “I mean, that’s never going to happen. He’s just a friend.”

“Oh, trust me I know, and now he knows.” I stare at him. “And if he even thinks about doing anything more about—” I put my fingers on his lips.

“I’m only interested in one person, and that’s you,” I assure him softly. “So, you only have to worry about my family not liking you.”

“My parents love you,” he says, and I smile because nothing would suck more than the guy you like whose parents hate you.

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