Dylan’s Redemption(89)

“I’ll fix it tonight.”

Jessie came out of the office and jumped back into her truck.

“Go get her, tiger.” Greg’s encouragement made Dylan laugh.

He didn’t need to be told twice. He had a couple errands to run before he went to Jessie’s house and explained how things were going to be between them. Definitely. Absolutely. No more questions or confusion.

Telling her he loved her and wanted to be with her hadn’t been enough. Tonight, he’d show her how much he loved her. Even if it took all night.





Chapter Thirty-One



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JESSIE OPENED THE door and found herself staring at a huge bouquet of flowers with jean-clad legs. The scent of roses and Chinese food teased her sense of smell, and she took the bag of food from the hand she could see.

“I assume you’re behind there, Dylan.”

“It’s me. I brought you flowers.”

“It looks like you brought me the whole garden.” She set the food on the hall table and took the vase of flowers from him. She stuffed her face into the blooms and inhaled deeply. Sheer pleasure shot through her. No one had ever brought her flowers. Dylan did so often over the last weeks and she never grew tired of it. In fact, she appreciated it more and more.

“I’m happy I stopped to get them.”

While her hands were full, he cupped her face and kissed her over the bouquet. Electricity and fire shot through her as his lips touched hers. This kiss was different. Before, his kisses had been more like a “hello, I’m here.” This one said, “I promise there’s more to come.” She wasn’t sure how to respond, but she found herself leaning into him and his kiss and hoping there was more—a lot more.

“Hungry?” He pulled away just enough for her to see the humor in his eyes.

“Huh? What?” Off center, her mind felt drunk on roses and Dylan. He made her brain and body turn to mush.

“Chinese food, honey. Are you hungry?”

“Yeah. Um, yes. Let’s eat.” She stumbled over her words.

Happy to see her out of sorts, Dylan grinned and his eyes sparked with mischief.

She took a good look at him, noting he must have gone home to shower and change. His damp hair gleamed in the fading sunlight. His navy blue sweater molded to his wide shoulders and chest. Faded, well-worn blue jeans hugged his hips and stretched over his powerful thighs. He wore his favorite black cowboy boots.

“Like what you see?” He couldn’t help it. Her casual perusal made his blood run hot. He’d like nothing better than to take her in his arms and make love to her. She needed time to settle into their relationship again. By the end of the night, he intended to show her how much he missed and loved her.

“You changed.”

“I’m still the same Dylan you knew before, but yeah, I went home and got cleaned up.” He pulled a folded paper out of his back pocket. “Will sends his love.” He handed her the paper. Her eyes glassed over at the sight of the pictures Will colored for her. Horses. Lots and lots of horses. One of the pictures showed him, Will, and Jessie together holding hands.

“Thank you.”

He took the flowers from her and headed toward the kitchen. “Don’t thank me. He’s been going on and on about you. I think he’s in love.” He came back to the entryway and grabbed the food. He took it over to the coffee table in front of the fireplace and set it down. He lit the fire already built before going back to the kitchen to get plates and forks. He smiled when he found Jessie in the kitchen putting Will’s picture of them up on the refrigerator.

“Come eat, sweetheart. We need to talk.”

She followed him into the great room and sat beside him on the sofa facing the fireplace. The fire burned bright and warm. The setting sun cast the room in shadows, enhancing the feeling of cozy romance. She leaned over to turn on the side table lamp, but he put his hand over hers, stopping her.

“Don’t. Let’s keep this just the two of us sitting and talking by the firelight.”

“Okay. I like to sit and look at the flames for hours. Sometimes I sit here and carve.”

“Will loves the horse you gave him.”

“You left the rocking horse here.” She pointed at it sitting in the room by the other seating area.

“For the next time Will comes over.” Dylan filled their plates and handed one over to her.

“Why didn’t you bring him tonight?”

“I want to be alone with you.”

“Are you sure that’s all it is?”

He reached for her, tracing his finger across her forehead and over her ear, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. “That’s all there is. I wanted us to have a quiet evening together, so we can talk and clear the air.” He leaned in and gave her a soft kiss. She relaxed and gave him a small smile. He popped the top on her beer and handed it to her, and then did the same for himself. She took a bite of food and settled in to eat, making him happy.