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My parents’ front door clicks shut behind us, and as I lead Declan down the walkway with her hand in mine, a contentedness like I’ve never known settles behind my ribcage.
I had a great time. An amazing time.
Introducing her to my family; seeing her in our shared space, fitting in with my family as if she’s always belonged; watching her sign with my mom in the living room; witnessing her laughter with my father in the backyard; the way she was able to give shit to my brothers as easily as she could take it; the emotions that rose to the surface, making her words grow tight as she joined in with the anxiety ritual my family has done since Brenna’s passing…
It's official. I’m entirely gone for this girl.
Her hand tugs at mine, and I pull my attention down to her. Blue eyes shine with the same sentiments as she stares up at me, and my throat constricts around any possible words I might have for her.
So fucking gone.
Leaning back against my car, I fold my arms around her and hold her against me. “So, what did you think? Of my family?” I ask, and there’s an almost vulnerable quality to my tone.
“No pressure.” She squints up at me, laughing through a soft exhale.
A cavern opens in my chest, and I’m certain she can see right through me, leaving my bleeding heart exposed. I want to know if she loved them as much as they loved her, though.
Bending at the knees, I shift down and catch her stare that was lasered at my chest.
“Your family…” She takes a breath to steady herself. “They are…wow,Jude. They’re amazing. They’re everything. You’re so lucky. Thank you for bringing me here to meet them.” Her wistful tone draws me in. And then she presses her lips up into mine, and I’m drawn in completely.
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We need to get going—get back to my place, or hers, I don’t fucking care. Because I’m about to make good on my promise to finally touch her.In my parents’ front yard.
A low groan slips from my mouth as I drag her closer. I slant my mouth over hers, invading every inch of her I can reach. Tongues tangling, teeth biting, groans clashing.
I kiss her as if my life depends on it. As if she’s the air I need to breathe.
It doesn’t feel far off from the truth.
With a groan of protest, I force myself to break our kiss. Her heated stare runs down my torso, stopping at the thick column of my hard-on straining behind my jeans. She laces her fingers through my belt loops, drags me closer—andfuck,that look in her eyes has the potential to shatter me into a thousand pieces where I stand.
“Your place or mine?” is all I manage, the words ripped through the gravel lining my throat.
She bites down on her smile, looking up at me through darkened lashes, a flush spreading down her neck.
“Yours,” I answer for the both of us. I’m not taking the chance that Elijah will beat us back home to meet Bee, or worse, walk in on us before we’re through. I could always text him to make sure he stays away, but I think the fucker would cockblock me just for the fuck of it, knowing how long I’ve wanted to be with this girl.
“Mine,” she hums in agreement, and I don’t know how the hell I’m going to make the hour and a half drive back into the city without needing to pull over and dive in like a man starved. Because that’s precisely what I am. Fuckingstarvedfor her.
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As soon as the door to her dorm room shuts, I’m on her. Kissing her. Feeling her. Lifting her in my grasp and wrapping her around me, wasting no fucking time.
She isn’t complaining. Her hands, mouth, body, just as eager.
Her palm slides down the length of my torso and grips my cock through my pants. Her soft breasts rock into my chest. Her exploring lips meet my throat, my jaw, my mouth, as she grips me harder, stroking me through my jeans. I groan, gliding a hand over her cheek and through her hair, tugging, tipping her head back to kiss her deeper and dip my tongue into her mouth and tangle it with hers.
The gravelly sound that spills from my throat crashes against her moan, and our mixed sounds of pleasure have me growing harder.
She unwinds herself from my body, feet hitting the floor, pink-tipped nails raking down my stomach before she unbuttons my jeans and shoves them down my legs.
I guide her back up from the floor with a hand to her chin. “Eager, Little D?”
“Yes.Very,”she breathes, zero hint of teasing in her tone, expression tightening to match the desperation of those two words.
And—fuck me.