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His warmth surrounds me, shocking me back to life.

Anton doesn’t want kids either. At least that’s what I think he just admitted to me.

I lock my eyes on his, searching those glacial blues for any hint that he’s fucking with me—that he’s trying to push a button or get a rise out of me.

That he’s doing what he’s admitted he does best. Except, it’s not there.

All I see is the same earnest honesty that was there last week in the greenhouse when he told me that his wanting me wasn’t about sex.

The moment that I knew that I was really willing to give this a chance. An actual chance. One where I faced my fear.

“What are your other reasons?” I ask, settling into him.

He shrugs. “I just don’t want to?” His voice lifts, like he’s asking a question, even though I know he’s not.

“Like you, I guess I’ve never felt the draw.

I’m from a big family, and I have six siblings who all want families of their own.

Part of the reason I give Hux so much shit about him and Dolly is because I know that he’s been secretly fantasizing about building her a little white house and raising babies with her for years.

There isn’t a single part of me that sees myself doing that.

Despite what everyone thinks, that’s why I don’t date.

Because after a while, women start to want to talk about future plans, and I can’t be what they want.

My future revolves around the three Ps.”

“Peaches, peanuts, and pecans,” I recite.

“Exactly. Not what girls get excited about.”

“Some girls do. ”

Anton scoffs. “Sawyer Brown…did you just…”

“Don’t get used to it.”

Anton’s hands slide up under my tank top, his fingers dancing across my skin, tickling me. I squeal, wiggling in his arms, trying to get away, but he holds on tighter, continuing to tickle me.

“My plan was to put on a scary movie so I had an excuse to hold you, but now it seems like I don’t need that.”

I chuckle, feeling brave, so I lean in to steal a kiss. Anton’s hand slides to the back of my neck, holding me against his lips, his taste lingering for a long moment as his tongue sweeps against mine. Fuck me, this man is a drug.

“If you’d put on a scary movie, you would have been staying up all night with me since I wouldn’t have been able to sleep,” I tell him.

“Noted. We’ll save that for some other time then.” He winks. “What is your favorite movie?”

“Promise not to laugh?”

“Have I laughed yet?”

I shift in his lap, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear. He hasn’t, but that doesn’t mean this won’t be the thing that tips him over the edge.

“ The Muppet Movie .”

“As in…the one from the seventies with Kermit and Fozzie in the old car on the road trip?”

I nod, impressed he knows which one I’m talking about.

“The video rental store in Hurricane Shoals growing up was big on family friendly movies. So they had all the different Muppet movies and I fell in love with them. But there is something about the “Rainbow Connection” that gets me every time,” I admit, still waiting for him to laugh.

Only, he doesn’t. Instead, he reaches for the remote on the coffee table, clicking on the TV .

“Unless it’s on one of the streaming services, we’re going to have to buy it, because I definitely don’t own it.”

We settle in, Anton searching for the movie, while I watch him, still waiting for the other shoe to drop. Waiting for there to be a catch. Only, there doesn’t seem to be one. He’s really going to watch the Muppets with me.

Holy shit…

Throwing his arm around me, he pulls me into him, holding me close as Kermit and friends appear on the screen. My heart swells, my nostalgic feels hitting all the right notes, accompanied by a newfound comfort.

Which soon morphs into laughter as I recite all the lines, mimicking each character’s voice.

Laughter then devolves into hysterics when I sing along with Dr. Teeth and Electric Mayhem.

If there was any hope of looking cool in front of Anton Hayes, it’s long gone, now that he’s seen me perform a duet as both Kermit and Fozzie on his couch.

Yet, I don’t care. There is something about this man, about being here with him, that makes me want to pour my soul out to him.

“You surprise me, Sawyer Brown,” he says, running his thumb along my cheek.

The rough callous on the outside of his knuckle sweeps under my eye, sending a shiver through me.

“Who would have thought that take-no-prisoners messy bun who pulled over at my road stand was actually a karaoke-singing, Muppet-loving ag nerd? Although, I suppose you are still a Bama fan…”

“Roll Tide!” I recite proudly.

“No one’s perfect,” he sighs.

I kick him playfully, loving the ability to just be like this. No pretense. No pressure. No plot.

Deep inside, my heart is racing. The butterflies are flapping their tiny wings a million miles a second, and I’m tingly in all sorts of places.

My head can’t keep up with it all. I am ass over teakettle, and nervous out of my mind.

Because the want is there. But right alongside it is the intimidation. The fear.

“Can…can I ask you something?” My voice is small, despite the amount of courage I had to drum up to speak those words.

“Anything.”

Here goes…

“Help me face my fear?” I bite down on my lip, nerves spilling over.

“Of sex?”

I nod.

“Gladly.”

My pulse jumps. Straight off the charts. Anton’s eyes darken, making my skin prickle with desire. It also makes the rest of me freeze. I can’t move, paralysis taking over.

I need to use my words.

“Now?”

Anton swallows hard, shifting underneath me. I can feel his bulge against me, turning me on even more.

“If that’s what you want.”

“It’s not usually a matter of want…it’s…”

Drawing me in, he runs his fingers through my hair, calming my thoughts. I lean in, wanting more, needing more, and he gives it to me, holding me close, letting me take the time I need.

“Whatever it is, we’re going to face it together. We’re not on a timeline, so one step at a time. But Sawyer, I need you to know one thing, baby.”

I pull back, looking him in the eye.

“What?”

“That once I taste your glorious pussy, there’s no going back. You’re my girl.”

“I already am.”