I WAS A lovesick fool.
You know the person constantly walking around with a goofy smile and acting like they’re high? Yeah, that was totally me and I wasn’t ashamed of it. I was going to embrace this giddy feeling for as long as it lasted.
I danced around the store, straightening items of clothing and singing along to the radio.
Nothing could possibly dampen my mood.
The door leading into the store opened, the bell chiming with the new arrival.
“Welcome to Sew in Style.” I chimed happily as I turned around, beaming at the customer.
When my eyes connected with the man’s my smile bled away¸ as did my happy mood that only moments before I’d believed was impenetrable.
I felt like all the air had been sucked from the room and I was slowly beginning to suffocate.
I hadn’t seen him in over four years and yet he still looked the same.
His light brown hair was trimmed short and his dark blue eyes were as lifeless as I remembered. He wore a beard now, which made him appear older than what he was. He was tall—not as tall as Hayes—with wide shoulders that had once made me feel so protected but ended up only making me feel caged. His lips tugged into a smile but there was nothing nice about it. He looked like a robot. Fake and emotionless.
“Todd.” I whispered his name, hating to give life to it and show any sort of fear.
“Arden.” He sauntered forward, smirking at me as he tucked his sunglasses into the collar of his shirt. “Long time no see.”
I stood straight, squaring my shoulders. I refused to cower in his presence. He’d hurt me once but I wouldn’t let him hurt me again.
“Yes, well, that’s typically what happens when one up and leaves their pregnant wife.”
He rubbed his jaw, trying to appear unaffected. “You always did have a mouth on you.”
“And you never did like that, did you?”
He stepped closer and I clasped my hands together in the hope that he wouldn’t notice how badly they shook.
He picked up a bracelet; twisting it around in the light like it was the most fascinating thing he’d ever seen. “A woman should listen to her husband.”
“And I guess you also believe it’s okay for a husband to hit his wife.” I stepped behind the counter, using it as a barrier between us.
He grinned, noticing the gesture.
“Yes, I do believe that’s okay, especially when his wife is a nagging, defying bitch.” He replaced the bracelet and stared at me, waiting for me to make some kind of response. It was a great effort not to roll my eyes.
“Why are you here?” I finally asked, lifting my arms in resignation. He was obviously here for a reason and I’d rather he get to the point instead of dragging it out with his stupidity.
“To see my daughter.”
I snorted. “Don’t be absurd.”
His thick brows furrowed together. “She’s my daughter. I have as much right as you to see her.”
I crossed my arms over my chest and lifted my chin. “I’m pretty sure you gave up that right when you abandoned her before birth. Not that I’m complaining,” I hastened to add, “the best thing you ever did for me was leave.”
He snarled, his nostrils flaring. “You’re a real bitch.”
I laughed, shaking my head. “Coming from you that means nothing.”
His eyes narrowed to thin slits and he snarled. Once upon a time that look on his face would’ve sent me running. Not anymore. I wasn’t his prisoner and I wouldn’t allow him to think he intimidated me—even if on the inside I was scared to death.
“You never knew when you should shut your mouth.”
“Get out,” I pointed over his shoulder at the door, “you have no right to come to my job and try to berate me.”
He shook his head, his lips lifting in a sneer. “Make me.”
“You’re such a child.” I huffed under my breath.
He stepped up to the counter, laying his hands flat on the surface.
“I will see my daughter.” He growled. “And if you don’t watch your fucking mouth you’ll never see her again.” He began to back away. “It was good seeing you.”
I scowled at him, my lips twisted as I held back the words I wanted to scream at him. I wanted to yell and tell him he’d never see or get close enough to lay his hands on her, but I knew he wanted a rise from me and I refused to give it to him. He could go fuck himself.
“Goodbye, Todd.” My voice was cold and detached.
He braced his body against the door and chuckled under his breath. “I’ll see you later.”
Ice slithered down my veins as he exited the store and disappeared around the corner.
The adrenaline that had been surging through my veins only moments before suddenly disappeared and I was left feeling cold and shaky. I couldn’t believe that had just happened. I blinked my eyes and pinched my arm, wanting to believe it was a bad dream, but it was most definitely real.
Todd was back.
“Momma,” Mia called from the backseat, “turn up da song. I wike dis one.”
I did as she asked, wishing the music could drown out my racing thoughts. Somewhere in the back of my mind I registered that it was a Willow Creek song playing on the radio, but I couldn’t even take a moment to enjoy it because all I could think about was Todd.
It all made sense now.
The guy Mia saw staring at her in the grocery store.
Hayes saying it looked like someone had messed with my front door.
If Todd had gone that far before even speaking to me it scared me to consider what he might be capable of.
My eyes flickered to Mia smiling happily in the backseat and kicking her feet. Keeping her safe would always be my number one priority and there was no way in hell I was going to let Todd anywhere near her.
My knuckles turned white where I gripped the steering wheel and I pulled in a lungful of air, trying to calm myself. I was supposed to meet Hayes for dinner after he finished band practice—or whatever it was that the guys were up to. We wouldn’t be going out for dinner, instead we’d be having dinner with Ezra’s mom and dad—who were also Maddox and Mathias’ foster parents. I’d met Karen and Paul a few months ago at Maddox and Emma’s wedding. Karen had been kind and welcoming to me, despite the fact that she’d never met me before that day. Hayes was close with them though, they were almost like second parents, and he’d wanted me to get to know them better.
I turned into the neighborhood, glancing in awe at the large homes. They weren’t monstrous by any means, but they were certainly bigger than what I lived in, though smaller than Hayes’ home.
I pulled into the driveway of the beautiful white cape cod style home and smiled at Mia in the rearview mirror. “Ready, baby girl?”
She nodded, curly hair bouncing.
I helped her out of her car seat and then held her hand as we climbed the steps of the front porch.
“Do you want to ring the bell?” I asked her.
She nodded eagerly, beaming with a gaped toothed smile. I lifted her onto my hip and leaned forward so she could push the button. I quickly grabbed her hand and held it in mine before she could get too excited and push the bell ten more times.
Within seconds the door swung open, revealing Karen. Her smile was blinding—like she was absolutely thrilled to see us—and she stepped back, waving us inside.
I inhaled the homey scent of a roast baking and suppressed the urge to moan. I’d been too busy stressing over Todd to eat lunch and now I was starving.
“Hello, Arden.” She chimed. “It’s so nice to see you. And you,” she turned her smile to Mia, “must be Ms. Mia. Hayes has told us all about you.”
“He did?” She asked shyly, burying her face in the crook of my neck and peeking at Karen through the thick strands of my hair.
“He has,” Karen assured her, unfazed by her shyness. “I’m baking some cookies for dessert. Would you like to help me?”
She waited patiently, letting Mia ponder her words. Finally, a full minute later, Mia nodded and I set her down.
“You’re welcome to help too, Arden,” Karen lifted her gaze to me as she held her hand out to Mia, “but I figured you’d want to join everyone in the basement. The girls are here too.”
“Uh,” I hedged, unsure with whether or not I felt comfortable leaving Mia with a virtual stranger.
Karen smiled thoughtfully. “I’ve been in your position before. It’s hard to let go of our little ones. Especially when they’re not little for long.”
I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. “It’s been the two of us for so long that it’s hard for me to let someone else help.”
She nodded, staying quiet and letting me work through my inner turmoil.
“Mia, will you be okay with Mrs. Collins for a little while?”
If Mia wasn’t comfortable with me leaving, I wouldn’t—and frankly, after Todd showed up at the store it was a little unnerving to have her out of my sight for even a second.
Mia looked up at Karen with wide blue eyes, seeming to assess her in that quiet knowing way kids had about them, and then nodded at me.
“If you need me,” I told Karen, “just let me know.”
“We’ll be fine.” Karen assured me, leading Mia down the hall towards the kitchen. “They’re down there.” She pointed at a door and smiled at me over her shoulder before she disappeared.
Once they were in the kitchen I heard Mia ask her what kind of cookies they were making. I smiled to myself, pleased that she was getting better about speaking to people.
Before I could talk myself out of it I reached for the basement door and headed downstairs.
I could hear the twinkling sounds of the girls laughing and some of the tension began to leak from my body.
I rounded the corner and saw the three of them sitting in a nicely decorated living room space—complete with a massive flat screen TV and sectional.
“Hey!” Emma grinned when she saw me and waved me over to the couch. “You’re here for dinner?” She asked eagerly.
I nodded, tucking a stray piece of hair behind my ear as I took a seat. “Yeah. Hayes invited me…that’s okay, right?” I was suddenly nervous as I eyed the three girls.
“Of course! I just can’t believe he didn’t tell us you were coming over. He was probably hoping he could manage to keep you all to himself.” Emma winked.
“What are the guys doing?” I wiggled around, trying to get comfortable, and ended up with my legs crossed beneath me. “All Hayes told me was that they were in the studio, but I don’t really know what that means.”
Emma hastened to explain. “They have a studio here in the basement so they don’t have to stay in L.A. all the time, so right now they’re putting the final touches on their album so it’ll be ready to release in a few months.”
“Ah, I see.” I turned my gaze to Remy where she bounced a fussy Liam. I couldn’t believe how big he was getting already, but that was the thing with kids, you blinked and suddenly they weren’t babies anymore. “Can I hold him?” I asked, a little uncertain. I remembered when Mia was born how I was terrified to let a stranger hold her. Heck, I even freaked out over letting my mom and dad hold her and they were my parents.
“Sure,” Remy held him out to me, “but be warned, he can scream like a banshee. He’s already moody like his dad.”
The baby squirmed in my arms, clearly not happy to leave his mom. I stroked his plump cheek and cooed softly to help calm him. He gazed up at me with wide blue eyes, his dark brown hair making them appear even bluer.
His lower lip trembled with the threat of tears and I began to rock him. He quickly settled and I smiled down at him.
“Sometimes I miss Mia being this little. I mean, it was hard taking care of a baby by myself, but when they’re this small…every little thing they do is so special.”
It was quiet around me and I looked up to see that the guys had appeared and Hayes was staring at me with such intensity I was surprised I didn’t combust on the spot.
“How’s the recording going?” I asked as I rubbed my fingers along the soft downy hair coating Liam’s head.
Hayes took a seat beside me, between Emma and I—well technically it was Maddox now, since he’d taken Emma’s spot and deposited her in his lap.
“Good. I think we’re all excited to release something new.”
“Does this mean you’ll be going on tour soon?” I inquired, staring at the baby so he wouldn’t know how curious I was about his answer.
“Nah,” I felt him shrug, “it’ll be a few more months before the new album is out—these things take time, and then it’ll probably be another six or so months after that before we’re ready for a tour, maybe longer since everyone keeps popping out babies.” He glanced towards Sadie and Ezra.
Sadie held up her hands in defense. “Don’t look at me. He’s not getting any babies out of me until he puts a ring on it.”
Ezra laughed under his breath and leaned over to whisper something in her ear. Sadie batted at his shoulder and pushed him away, but couldn’t feign being mad for long as she leaned over to kiss him quickly.
Hayes reached for one of Liam’s sock covered feet and gave it a little tug. “He’s so small.”
“Do you want to hold him?” I asked.
His eyes widened and he frowned, unsure. “What if I break him?”
I laughed and Liam blinked his wide blue eyes up at me, clearly not happy with being disturbed. “You don’t worry about breaking Mia.”
Hayes wiggled uncomfortably where he sat. “Yeah, but Mia is like a tiny person. And she can talk. Babies just spit on themselves and poop their pants. It’s scary.”
Mathias and Remy laughed at his discomfort. “He’s yet to hold Liam,” Remy informed me.
“Oh, you’re definitely holding him then. Lift your arms like mine.”
“He’s going to fall through,” Hayes muttered, “I have long arms.”
“That’s why you cradle him.” I bit my lip to contain another bout of laughter at his expense.
Hayes looked like a deer caught in headlights. “I don’t want to drop him.”
“You’re not going to drop him.” I held Liam out and placed him in Hayes’ waiting arms.
Hayes’ eyes widened with panic.
“It’s okay,” I assured him, “he’s not as breakable as he looks. Just be sure to support his neck.”
Hayes gazed nervously down at the squirming baby. “Uh…”
“He’s a baby,” I giggled, “he’s going to move.”
“I’m afraid he’s going to roll out of my arms.”
Mathias cackled merrily somewhere to my left. “I never thought you’d be the one of us most afraid of a baby.”
“Dude, shut up,” Hayes groaned, staring at the baby so intensely it was like he was willing him not to move, “go iron one of your nerdigans like a dutiful little housewife.”
Mathias laughed even harder. “That’s the best comeback you have?” He shook his head. “You’re losing your touch.”
“I also have your spawn in my hands and don’t want to kill him, so my brain is kind of focusing on that right now…and for the record, if I had use of one of my hands I’d be giving you the finger right now.”
Mathias chuckled and rubbed his jaw.
“It’s not so bad, is it?” I asked Hayes, reaching over so the baby wrapped his tiny fingers around one of mine.
“Yeah, not so bad,” he mimicked. His lips were turned down in a frown and he still looked scared to death, but his arms had relaxed some.
I leaned my head on his shoulder and hummed softly under my breath. It was an old lullaby I used to sing to Mia every night. I didn’t have the best signing voice, but it had always calmed her down.
Liam, instantly, focused his eyes on me. His small pink lips pouted as he regarded me with curious eyes.
I began to sing the words, oblivious to the others surrounding us.
When the last note hung in the air I looked up to find Hayes staring at me, his mouth parted in awe.
“I didn’t know you could sing.”
I ducked my head, my whole body heating with embarrassment. “I can’t.”
“Uh, you definitely can.” He assured me.
I laughed, trying to hide my discomfort at all the attention that was suddenly directed my way.
“You’re in a band, a world famous band at that—so I know you’re lying.” I poked him in the ribs.
He brushed off the gesture. “You’re cute when you’re embarrassed.”
His words only served to make me blush even more. I was sure my freckles looked startling on my nearly red skin.
“Hey!”
We all turned towards the stairs at the sound of Karen’s voice, and my heart lurched as panic slid through my veins. I stood, my motherly instincts kicking in as I feared Mia had been hurt or was having a meltdown.
“What is it, mom?” Ezra asked. He sat lazily on the couch, with his foot resting on his leg and his arm swung across the back of the couch behind Sadie.
“I wanted to let you guys know dinner was ready.”
I suddenly felt silly for my gut reaction to jump to attention, but I couldn’t help it.
“We’ll be up in a minute,” Mathias called. He stood and crossed over to Hayes. “Give me my kid,” Mathias held out his hands, “before you drop him and split his skull open.”
“Don’t scare him,” I scolded Mathias.
He turned amused gray eyes in my direction as he lifted his son to his shoulder. “I like you,” he said, completely catching me off guard.
“Uh…” Before I could form a coherent thought he had started up the stairs.
Everyone else filed up the stairs, leaving Hayes and I alone for a brief stolen moment.
I wrung my hands together, suddenly nervous about being alone with Hayes. I hadn’t decided whether or not I was going to tell him about Todd’s surprise visit to the store. We’d only been an official couple for a few weeks, and before that I was used to taking care of everything on my own.
“I thought they’d never leave.” He chuckled, reaching down to take my chin between his thumb and forefinger. “I’ve been thinking about your lips all day.” His eyes flicked down to my mouth.
At his words my mind instantly emptied and my fingers wrapped around the soft cotton of his shirt. “Then kiss me.”
He made this half-growl, half-hum sound in the back of his throat that made me feel lightheaded. Since he was so tall, and I was on the shorter side, he had to lean way down to kiss me. I didn’t mind though. I liked having his larger body envelope my smaller one. I felt so safe wrapped in his arms.
Even though I could’ve stood here kissing him all day I reluctantly took a step back, letting my hands fall from his shirt.
He was slightly out of breath when he asked, “What’s wrong, Arden?”
I looked down at the ground, tugging my bottom lip between my teeth.
“Arden,” he prompted again, the tips of his shoes coming into my line of sight when he stepped forward. “You can tell me anything…you know that, right?”
I took a deep, steadying breath. I knew that if I didn’t tell Hayes about Todd it would make me feel like shit and eat away at my insides. This was too big of an issue for me to try to hide it and it definitely wasn’t something I could fix on my own.
I straightened my shoulders and I looked up, meeting his curious gaze.
“I saw Todd today.”
“Todd?” His brows furrowed in confusion. Suddenly, his eyes widened and his lips parted with a gasp. “Todd, as in your ex Todd?”
“Yep, that one.” I sighed, feeling sick to my stomach. I perched my bottom on an armrest of the couch, unable to hold my body up any longer after my admission.
He ran his fingers through his hair, musing the once perfectly styled strands. “Fuck. What did he want?”
“To see Mia.” My stomach rolled with the words. I desperately wanted to go back to only a minute ago where his lips had been on mine and life had felt good.
“Double fuck.” He groaned, raking his hands down his face. “This isn’t good.”
“I know.” I rubbed my hands nervously on my jeans. “I don’t know what to do. I mean, he’s her father, it’s not like I can keep her away from him forever.”
“Oh yes you can,” Hayes thundered. “He gave up any right to her when he left you pregnant and alone.”
“I feel that way too, but he’s her dad,” I groaned, anger surging through my body. “I told him he couldn’t see her, but I don’t know how much longer I can keep him away. When Todd wants something…” I let my thought hang in the air.
Hayes looked at me with horror. “Your door…before we left for New York, do you think that was him?”
I sighed. “Probably. Who else would it be?” I lifted one shoulder in a shrug.
“You’re staying with me,” Hayes nodded to himself, “yep, that’s the solution. You’ll both stay with me.”
I rolled my eyes, laughing under my breath. “I can’t uproot my whole life, and my daughter’s, and saunter into yours like everything is fine. It’s not fine.”
“It’s not fine if you’re there in your house, which he tried to break into, either!” He spread his arms wide. “This isn’t about being fine,” he spat the word, “it’s about being safe.”
I dragged air through my lungs and yet I still felt like I wasn’t breathing. After a moment of silence, my voice finally punctured the air. “I’ll think about it, okay?”
Hayes frowned, clearly not pleased with this compromise. His shoulders sagged. “That sounds fair.” Pointing a finger at me like I was an unruly child, he added, “But if he shows up again you call me immediately and you’re coming to my house.”
“Hopefully there won’t be a next time. Maybe he just wanted to rattle me and now he’s gone.” As soon as the words left my mouth I knew how wrong they were. When Todd wanted something he’d go through hell until he got it, and right now he had his sights set on our daughter. He definitely wouldn’t be leaving, even if I wished it were true.
Hayes looked at me skeptically, not believing my words anymore than I did.
“Are you guys coming?” Maddox yelled down the stairs. “And I mean coming upstairs, not coming in the sense of the sexual relations kind of coming…because in that case, that’s gross, we sit on that couch and there are children in this house now!”
Hayes snorted and shook his head. “We’re coming!” He called and Maddox mock-gasped. “Upstairs,” he added while laughing hysterically. “Get your head out of the gutter, Wade.”
I heard Maddox chuckle before the door to the basement closed.
Hayes smirked at me. “I guess we better join them before Maddox has them convinced we’re doing the other kind of ‘coming.’ ” He winked, lifting his hands and flicking his fingers in quotation marks.
I shook my head at his antics and stood up.
Before I could move towards the stairs he grabbed me around my waist and pulled me into his arms. Laying his head on top of mine, he whispered, “Everything is going to be okay, Arden. You’ll see.”
I wanted to believe him, I really did, but I couldn’t.
When we topped the stairs the sounds of voices drifted from the dining room and Hayes dropped his hand to the small of my waist, guiding me forward.
Everyone was already seated and looked up when we stepped inside.
“Hi,” I mumbled awkwardly, making a beeline for the empty chair beside Mia.
Hayes was right behind me and held the chair out and slid it back in before taking the seat on the opposite side.
“Look at you being all gentlemanly,” Maddox chortled. “Who are you and what have you done with the real Hayes?”
Hayes ducked his head, laughing under his breath. “He grew up,” he shrugged
“Took him long enough.” Mathias grumbled, reaching for a roll.
His mother swatted his hand and glared at him like he was an unruly child. “Be nice,” she hissed, “and we’re saying grace before we eat. Stop acting like a savage.”
Mathias muttered something under his breath, but sat back and bowed his head.
Paul, Karen’s husband, spoke for all of us.
Once he finished speaking we all chimed in with a collective, “Amen.”
“Now you can eat.” Karen eyed Mathias. “But mind your manners.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Mathias mumbled, reaching for a roll once more.
Before I fixed my own plate I tended to Mia, making sure she got a bit of the roast, potatoes, and carrots. I cut it all up into small, easy to manage pieces for her.
“This looks delicious,” I told Karen, shoveling food onto my plate. Beside me, Hayes was already halfway through his first plateful. “Thanks for having us.”
“Anytime, sweetheart.” She smiled kindly at me.
I took a bite of roast and tamped down the moan that wanted to bubble out of my throat. The food was even better than it looked. Nothing beat having a home cooked meal—one that you didn’t have to slave over. I was convinced everything tasted better when someone else made it.
Idle conversation was made as we ate, but for the most part it was relatively quiet. Karen spent a good time cooing over Liam, and it was obvious she was smitten with her first grandson.
When we’d finished eating I offered to help clean up, but Karen waved me away. “That’s what my sons are for,” she said with a wink.
Poor Mia was nearly asleep from a food coma so I guessed it wasn’t such a bad thing that Karen dismissed me.
“I’m going to head out,” I told Hayes, sliding my chair back and picking up Mia. She wrapped her arms around my neck and legs around my waist. “I think it’s safe to say this one is ready for bed.” I bounced her in my arms slightly. She was already asleep, and within seconds I felt her drool dampen the sleeve of my shirt. When they were babies you got spit up on, when they reached this age it was drool instead…and the occasional booger.
“I’ll walk you out.” Hayes wiped his hands on a napkin and stood from his chair.
“Not fair! We have to clean up and he gets to go suck face!” Maddox bellowed as he gathered up a stack of plates.
“You’re my son.” Karen swatted his side with a towel. “You can suck face later.”
“But—”
I didn’t hear whatever he was about to say as Hayes and I left the room.
We were both silent as we stepped outside. It was already completely dark, and since the night sky was cloudy you couldn’t see any stars or even a sliver of the moon.
Hayes held the door open and I bent to put Mia in her car seat. She roused a bit, but was already asleep again by the time I closed the door.
I turned around to face Hayes, drawing my cardigan tight around my body.
“I’m worried,” he admitted. “I don’t like him being back here.”
I sighed and my breath fogged the air. “Me either, but what can I do?” I shrugged nonchalantly. I desperately wanted to brush off the fact that Todd was back, but realistically I couldn’t. It would be stupid not to think him being back didn’t pose a threat to Mia or myself. Todd was…unstable to say the least.
Hayes cupped my cheek in one of his large hands, smoothing his thumb over the top of it. “Just…be careful, okay? And if you get scared or…fuck, if anything happens, call me and I’ll be there.”
I nodded. “I will.”
He leaned his forehead against mine. “I love you, Arden, and the thought of him trying to weasel his way back into your life scares me so fucking much.”
“Why?” I questioned. “I would never go back to him.”
“I know that, Little Bird. That’s not what I meant. I’m afraid of him hurting you again, or Mia, and…” His eyes squished closed and he looked anguished. “If he lays a hand on either of you I can’t be held accountable for my actions,” he warned.
“He’s not going to bother us.”
Hayes looked at me doubtfully. “We can hope.” He whispered, his breath feathering against my forehead. “On a lighter note…Thanksgiving is next week. What are your plans?”
My brows furrowed in confusion at his sudden change in topic. “I’ll probably go to my parent’s.”
He reached down and entwined our hands together. Staring at our joined hands, he said, “What if you came to mine?”
“You want me to come to your parent’s house for Thanksgiving?” I didn’t believe I could’ve possibly heard him right.
“Yes, I know you’ve already met them, but not as my girlfriend. And,” he hedged, seeming nervous, “my sisters are flying in and I want you to meet them, and for them to meet you.”
My heart lurched and then sped up. “I’m not sure…” It had been so long since I’d met anyone’s family—and he was right, I had met his parent’s but not as his girlfriend and that made it feel like I was meeting them for the first time.
He ducked down so his baby blue eyes met mine. “Don’t make me beg.” He jutted out his bottom lip. “Please? There’s no way you can resist this face.”
I laughed despite my nerves. “I’ll go,” I agreed.
“Yes!” He clapped his hands together and did a little victory dance.
“Don’t make me regret this,” I warned him, unable to keep a smile off my face.
“You won’t, trust me.” He took my face between his hands and lowered his mouth to mine. He kissed me leisurely like we had all the time in the world.
When he pulled away we were both slightly breathless. He caressed my bottom lip with his thumb, his eyes a dark navy blue now. “I love your lips,” he murmured. “They’re so soft and plump. Kissable.”
“Mmm,” I mumbled, unable to form a word when he was looking at me like he was now. Unconsciously my tongue slid out to wet my lips, as if called forth by his attention.
“You’re killing me,” he growled, kissing me again.
His tongue slid past my lips, stroking against mine and eliciting a moan deep from within my throat. My heart thumped madly behind my rib cage and I was sure he could feel it with how closely our chests were pressed together. I hadn’t noticed, but somehow while we were kissing he’d grabbed my waist and my body had automatically bowed into his.
When he broke the kiss, I whispered, “I love you,” so our lips brushed with my words.
He growled low in his throat and kissed my forehead gently before murmuring, “I’ll never get tired of hearing you say that to me.”
“I really need to go now,” I whispered, disentangling myself from his arms.
“I know.” He took a step back, like he was afraid if he didn’t distance himself he might maul me with his mouth again.
“Bye,” I told him, slipping into my car.
“Goodnight, Arden,” he murmured as I closed the door, his words slipping over me like warm honey. I’d never known goodnight could sound so sexual, but the way he said it made me think of how desperately I wanted to spend the night with my naked body wrapped around his.
“Night,” I mouthed through the door, turning the car on.
I backed out of the driveway and he stood, watching my car until we were out of sight.