Page 55 of The Promise Of Rain

Her throat bobbed as she looked away briefly before turning back and nodding.“Yes.”

“Good.”

At the truck, I handed her in.Leaning over her, I latched her seatbelt before closing the door.

She was quiet on the way home, not breaking the silence between us until we reached her door.

She dipped her chin.“Thank you.I had fun,” she admitted softly.

That soft admission made me feel like a fucking king.“Can I come in?”

She nodded slowly.“Just for a few minutes.I’ve, uh, got an early start tomorrow.”

I shadowed her up the stairs, then stepped forward, covering her back from the chill of the wind as she slipped her key into the lock.

Once inside, we shed our coats and boots, her hands running down the length of her new coat once more as she hung it on the hook.

Rubbing my cold hands together, I followed her into the kitchen.

She looked up at me with wide, fear-filled eyes.“Hot chocolate?”

“If I have any more hot chocolate, I’ll turn into the fucking Easter bunny.”

She barked out a laugh, and some of the tension eased from her frame.“How about a coffee?”

I nodded.“That I can do.”

As she turned to the coffee maker, I wandered into her living room.This was the furthest she’d allowed me into her space.

It was warm and cozy, so many blankets and pillows I could scarcely find the couch.The soft, muted walls provided the backdrop for a room that was vibrant and alive with colour.

A bookshelf held more DVDs than books, and I couldn’t help but smile at the selection of chick flicks.

Crossing to the over-sized chair I guessed was her favourite from the sinking in the middle of the cushion, I picked up the book on the table beside it and flipped it over to read the back.

My eyebrows rose slowly as I read.

“Um—”

I turned to take in her flushed face and smirked.“Interesting reading material you’ve got here.”

She laughed and rolled her eyes.

My whole body came alert.

There she is.

The Jenny I remembered, the girl I loved, she was in there, buried beneath the hurt.

And I was going to get her the fuck out.

My eyes wandered over her beautiful face before dropping to her delicate collarbone, skimming over the soft mounds of her breasts, and diving into the dip at her waist that invited my hands and tongue and teeth to explore the sensual flare of her hip.

Swallowing hard, I dragged my eyes back to hers.

Her eyelids fluttered as she stared back at me, hunger flaring in her gaze as desire sent a rush of colour to her chest.

Dropping the book back onto the side table, I slowly stalked toward her, making my intent clear.