Page 18 of Pretty Desperate (Pine Village #6)

“Oh my gosh, I have total porch envy right now. My backyard looks nothing like this,” she says, taking in the yard.

“Again, the previous owners did a big part of it. I did add the hot tub though. When I worked in Chicago, my apartment building had one for tenants, and I figured out really quick that they work wonders on tired muscles after a long day. I ended up using it every night after work and knew it was one purchase I’d make when I moved here. ”

“I can only imagine,” she says, walking over to the tub. The cover is on, but you can hear the soft hum of the pump. “Have you used it? Today?”

“Not yet,” I reply.

“Will you after I leave?”

I shrug my shoulders. “Possibly. Since I didn’t work today, I don’t require a dip.”

She runs her hands over the top. “I bet it’s amazing. The only time I was in a hot tub was when I stayed in a hotel with my family for vacation back when I was thirteen or fourteen.”

“You’re welcome to give it a try,” I tell her, already imagining her in a little bikini, her curves on full display.

She meets my gaze, her eyes dancing with humor. “But I don’t have a suit.”

I couldn’t stop my wicked grin if you paid me a million bucks. “You don’t necessarily need one. In fact, I’d be fine if you went without.”

She barks out a laugh. “I bet you would.”

I shrug, noticing the hint of a chill hanging in the air. “Well, the offer stands anytime you want to use it. Suit or no suit.” After a moment, I add, “Ready to head back inside? You can tell fall is around the corner. Not too many warm days left.”

Jillian walks toward my door and enters my bedroom. “I don’t mind cool evenings. I’d rather have that than sweltering heat.”

Locking the door behind us, I face her and agree. “I’ve never been a big outdoorsy guy. I don’t mind cookouts or bonfires, but I’m not a boat in the middle of the lake kind of guy.”

“I understand that. I’m the same. I love hanging with my friends, but definitely prefer the evenings where we’re at a cabin or just enjoying each other’s company in someone’s kitchen.”

She’s fucking perfect.

We enjoy many of the same things, and for the first time in my life, I feel a connection stronger and deeper than what’s on the surface. Considering my past, that’s saying a lot. And I’m not trying to minimize what I had with Lilly. I loved her all those years ago, but this feels…different.

The air seems to thicken around us. I take notice of the casual way she stands in the middle of my bedroom.

Her brown hair has a fresh curl, begging for my fingers.

Her chest rises and falls with each breath she takes.

She licks her lips, maybe in anticipation.

And her eyes are a darker shade of green, as if she’s possibly thinking about the same things as me.

My legs move before my brain gives them the cue. I stalk toward her, memorizing the way she looks, and also giving her ample time to tell me no. She can clearly see my intent, as her eyes sparkle with desire, her body humming with need. It’s pulsating between us, this draw.

This craving.

When I reach where she stands, I lazily move my hands to her neck, letting my fingers slide into her hair. It smells amazing, so soft and hypnotic. I’ve never been so damn attracted to hair before, but I can’t seem to stop wanting to touch it.

“Jillian?” I ask, my voice hoarse.

“Yes?” Her eyes are full of hope and anticipation.

My heart is trying to beat out of my chest. “I want to kiss you.”

“Yes, please,” she replies instantly, lifting her chin and waiting.

I don’t delay.

I can’t.

It’s as if the very air I need for survival lies solely in the taste and feel of her lips.

I need them that badly.

Her hands grip the sides of my shirt as she angles her head for me to deepen the kiss.

I get lost in her, wishing there were some magical way to kiss her until the end of time.

We both turn, as if knowing exactly what the other is thinking and needing.

I slowly back her against the wall, and within seconds, she’s climbing me like a tree.

Her arms wrap around my neck at the same time I hoist her up.

Her legs are around my waist, and she’s pinned right where we both want her to be.

My erection is there, hard and ready. She shifts her core against it, grinding down on me in a way that makes my brain explode.

It feels too fucking good, too fucking right.

Her hands slide into my hair, bringing her body even closer.

We’re pressed tightly together, her nipples hard and begging for my mouth.

Ripping my mouth from hers, we both suck in greedy gulps of air. My lips trail down her neck, my tongue slipping out and tasting her skin. “Jilly,” I whisper, not really sure what to do.

I want this woman, but I’m afraid sex would further muddle an already complicated situation.

“My answer is yes, Kameron.”

A faint smile crosses my lips as I move to look into her eyes. “I haven’t asked a question.”

She swallows hard, her lips swollen and wet. “You didn’t have to. The question is written all over your face. So, to answer it, yes. I want this.”

My brain feels foggy, like I’m intoxicated or something. Drunk on Jillian. “You do?”

“Yes.”

I clear my throat, my cock pulsing with need and anticipation.

“I, uh, should confess. It’s been a while for me.

Since I had a woman with me here, but also since…

you know.” I feel like the world’s biggest loser, but I won’t lie to her.

It’s been almost a year since I had sex, and much longer since I had a relationship.

She cups my jaw in her palm. “Well, since we’re confessing stuff, I haven’t had sex in a while either.”

“Like how long?” Not that it matters. I’m just curious.

Her throat bobs. “Almost two years.”

“Really? How is that possible? You’re…” I glance down to where her chest is pressed up and out of the top of her shirt, “fucking gorgeous.”

She smiles. “Like you, I’ve been a little busy running a business.”

I nod, spinning her around and setting her down on the floor. “You can say no. At any time,” I reassure her.

Reaching down, she quickly lifts her shirt up and over her head, dropping it on the floor.

Just as fast, she toes off her shoes and releases the button and zipper on her pants.

With a few shimmies, they’re around her ankles in seconds, leaving her standing in just a pale pink bra and panty set.

“I’m not saying no, Kameron. In fact, I’m wondering why you still have your clothes on. ”

Me too, Jillian. Me too.