Bleeding Love(56)

“Bubblegum,” I mumble and she closes her eyes.

“Bubblegum,” she echoes.

“Open your eyes, Megan.”

She doesn’t move.

“Darlin’, see me.”

And those brown eyes hit mine.

“I’ve got a brand new pack of spearmint in the truck. Happy as fuck that you would gladly use it to stick yourself to me, but you don’t need the gum. I’m happily stuck and have no plans to become unstuck.”

Her eyes shine and then her head goes back and her laughter hits me like a punch in the gut.

Perfection.

Her happy in my arms, her daughter safe and warm—also happy—in her bed, having the chance at something I’ve known would feel like this, has my hands pushed into her hair and her mouth on mine in seconds.

Only now I have a hard time reminding myself why I need to pull back before I get too lost in her.

Bubblegum, I think to myself as her tongue slides against mine and the mint taste I tasted earlier invades. One that only a slice of gum can leave behind.

I’ve never loved bubblegum more.





MY BODY IS GOING TO burn up from the inside if he keeps this up. These slow kisses that I know will not go a step further with Molly home, boiling my arousal so bright that my veins are on fire.

“You taste good,” he mumbles against my neck.

“Bubblegum,” I wheeze out when his teeth bite down on the sensitive skin between my neck and shoulder.

Then my brain catches up to my mouth when I lose his mouth and I feel his body move in amusement. My eyes open wide and I watch him attempt to stop his laughter, and fail.

“I’m never going to live that down.”

His laughter dies down to a chuckle at my pouting tone.

“I’ll probably never even be able to chew a piece again,” I continue.

His chuckle stops, but his smile stays. His perfectly straight teeth bright against his tan skin.

“You probably think I’m nuts.”

His smile doesn’t slip as he shakes his head.

“I think I’m nuts.”

His body starts to shake again and without a word, his mouth is back on mine. His tongue darting out to rub slowly against my closed lips until I give him the access he wants. Then he slides in and kisses me hard. So hard that all my thoughts of stupid bubblegum leave instantly.

A while later, still in his arms watching Pitch Perfect, my choice not his, he breaks the comfortable silence we had slipped into after my bubblegum meltdown.

“I’m working tomorrow, pulling a double for another officer that needs the day to take his daughter on a school trip. That means I won’t see you for a few days. The last double I pulled had me sleeping almost twenty-four hours straight. But, we need to finish the plans that got cut short—not that I mind one second of how they were cut short—but I still need to finish.”

“Okay, Lee. You don’t need to explain that to me.”

“You get that we’re together now?” he harshly asks.

“Uh, yeah.”

“Then I need to explain that to you.”

“I think, maybe, I should give you a little history of my life,” I tell him, trying to not get annoyed with myself or more specifically the lack of experience I have when it comes to relationships. “I’ve been in a relationship with one man, Lee. And while I was married to him, what we shared wasn’t a typical relationship. We were both faithful and while yes, we were intimate, it wasn’t often. That being said, he didn’t explain his plans for days to come with me. If he needed to do something, he would give us a kiss goodbye and go about his business. Before Jack, I didn’t date. Not once. So, I think it would be a good guess that I’m about as stupid as it comes, when it comes to this,” I point between him and myself. “I don’t expect you to report to me.”

His eyes go hard during my little speech and when I finish talking, I wait, bracing for him to realize what a mess I am and leave.

“It might not be tomorrow, or hell even a month from now, but you’re going to fall into this relationship effortlessly. I know that because in the two days that we’ve established a togetherness, you’ve come out of your shell and without one doubt taken each step forward. I’m not telling you my plans for any other reason but for you to know while I may have to be somewhere else, I want to be here. I’m letting you know where I’ll be because I can’t be here, and trust me, I would rather be here than sitting in a patrol car for two ten-hour shifts. Give and take, darlin’. I’m giving you my plans so that when I don’t, I can take.”

“Take?” I question.

“The other night, when I took you to the clearing, I had planned for a night of four wheeling. Had my ATV out there waiting. No way in hell that I’m going to complain about how the night progressed, but I still have plans and those plans include that clearing, us and my ATV.”