Quarter Mile Hearts(85)

“You wanna get out of here?” A tremor works its way through my body with his husky voice, and I nod.

Turning me around, his thigh nudges between mine as he bears down on me; his dark eyes sizzle with more than just lust or desire. I see the love that burns brightly there. How have I never noticed it before?

“Are you trying to tell me something?” he asks, a sly smile playing over his lips.

“I guess.”

“You drive me fucking crazy. You know that?” He brings his forehead down to rest on mine. “So, are you staying or are you going?” His lips find the column of my neck as he trails the tip of his tongue down, stopping at the curve of my neck.

“Hmm...”

With a groan of frustration, he pulls back to watch me through dark hooded eyes and that sultry look dampens my panties and makes my core ache for him in a way I didn’t think was possible.

“Do you need me to persuade you?”

I nod slowly. “I think you should.” Leaning back so my head rests against the jukebox, his lips seal over mine. Gently at first, his tongue teases mine until I grab his head with the back of my hand and press him to me. His solid body presses tantalizingly into mine, and I feel his erection on my thigh. My hands roam down his chest to the waistband of his jeans, and I loop my fingers over, brushing against his smooth, warm skin. Max cups my face and pulls back a fraction. Eyes searching mine for any indication of what I’m thinking.

“Well?”

“Surely you know I’m not going anywhere.”

Max’s eyes widen with surprise. Did he honestly think that I could leave him again?

“You’re really not going.”

“I’m staying right here,” I promise.

His mouth claims mine in a ravenous kiss, and he picks me up clear off the ground. I barely have time to wrap my legs around his waist before he spins me in a circle, dropping me to my feet, not giving a shit that the rest of the bar, including my dad, have just witnessed our very public display of affection.

“I love you.” I finally tell him what I’ve been trying to fight all this time.

“And I love you.” His mouth curves up into a wide smile, his eyes hold mine as he lowers his lips to brush them over mine.





Chapter Twenty-Eight




Beth and Aaron have moved their wedding up so she can still get away with not looking pregnant in her photos. Granny Betty was not for letting them wait until after the baby was born, and when she decides something, there is no going against her. Sugar is putting the finishing touches on her hair and make-up before the cars come to pick us up. I’ve not been much help this morning and my only responsibility was to show up and put on what I was told.

At last she is ready and I stand at the bottom of the stairs with Granny Betty as she and Sugar walk down the stair, careful not to trip on her dress.

She looks stunning. Her ivory dress is long and flowing, gathered under her bust, and hides her growing baby bump. The neckline is higher than she would normally wear, but it was something that Granny Betty wouldn’t budge on. Our dress, on the other hand, is a different story. Beth’s blond hair is piled on top of her head in a complicated style, with diamond grips and the odd loose curl.

Not normally sentimental, even I get a lump in my throat when I see her, and can only nod as Granny Betty gushes about how beautiful she looks. Dad walks in from the kitchen and does a double take. If I’m not mistaken, his eyes have a slight sheen to them as he comes over to her and holds out his hand. Beth flashes me a nervous smile and takes his hand to walk down the last of the steps.

“You look beautiful,” he says. “Aaron will be blown away.”

“Aaron will cry like a little girl,” I mutter under my breath. I love him, but my cousin is far too chicken-hearted. Beth knows it because she laughs and gives a little nod.

A honk sounds from outside, and I peer out the window and freeze.

“Ah Beth, did you let Aaron arrange the cars by any chance?” I look over my shoulder at her.

“Yeah, why?” A puzzled look passes over her face, and she moves toward me.

“Thought so.” I open the door and we all step outside to get a better look at the cars Aaron has arranged.

Fortunately, one is a limousine because there is no way Granny Betty would get into either of the other two. One is a brand new black, top-of-the-line Mustang, which better be for me, and the other is a Subaru WRX STI, which has got to be for Sugar. Causey is at the wheel so I guess it is. The door to the Mustang opens, and Kyle climbs out. Walking around, he opens the passenger door and gives a little bow.

“Max asked me to come get you. Aaron is freaking out, so he had to stay and calm him down. He’s like a little kid.” He gives a wry smile, and I can just imagine.