Home Sweet Home (Sweet, Tx. Book 4.5) (Contemporary Romance Novella)

by Candis Terry

“And they certainly don’t do this.” She cupped his face in her hands. At the same time, the belt on her robe loosened. The fuzzy pink fabric fell open and exposed her luscious naked body just as she kissed him. Then her tongue darted out and slowly licked the seam of his mouth.

  It was the low hum of approval that vibrated in her throat that broke his resolve, and he kissed her back.

  Hell yes, he kissed her back.

  His hands followed suit, sliding beneath that thick fluffy fabric to touch her warm, soft skin. He pulled her close, so he could feel her hardened nipples against his chest. The movement brought her warm, damp core solid against his erection. She felt so damned good, he thought he might explode.

  “You’re not playing fair.” He moved his palms down her backside and cupped her bare ass in his hands.

  “I never said I would.” She leaned in and kissed him. Their tongues danced to a tune they’d perfected over the years. Yet each time felt like the first. When he gently squeezed her bottom, she pressed down on him and moved suggestively.

  Then she was gone.

  In a sensuous blur, his mind registered that he was no longer holding her in his arms. Looking up through a haze of passion, he saw her sauntering away–barefoot and sexy as hell.

  At the back door, she stopped to look over her shoulder with a smile. Then she dropped the robe. “Are you coming . . . friend?”

  Point taken.

  Nothing could have stopped him from following her into that house. Not even every promise he’d made to walk away and let her go.

  He caught her at the bottom of the stairs and swept her up into his arms. The sound of her laughter danced in his heart. Lying near the bottom step, Cricket rolled her brown doggie eyes in a “stupid humans” expression. The dog was probably smarter than him, but he didn’t let that deter him from carrying Paige up the stairs and laying her out on the bed like a delectable feast.

  Completely naked, with not a shy bone in her luscious body, Paige smiled up at him. “Does this mean you’ve changed your mind?”

  “You caught me at a weak moment.”

  “Then you’re wearing entirely too many clothes.” She snapped her fingers playfully. “Off with them, please. Let’s see how close of friends we really can be before you change your mind again.”

  Change his mind?

  Yeah, he probably would if his brain ever caught up with what was going on below his belt. But for now, ignorance was bliss and smelled like heaven.

  He reached a hand behind him, grabbed hold of his shirt, and pulled it over his head. Not caring where it landed, he tossed it somewhere on the floor. When he reached for the button on his jeans, her hand reached out to stop him.

  “Let me do that.”

  He lifted his hands. “Take your time.”

  She grinned, grabbed hold of his waistband, and tugged him closer. “Not a chance.”

  In his mind, the slide of a zipper never sounded so good. And the feel of her warm fingers as they curled beneath the fabric of his boxer briefs then tugged them down, never felt better.

  “There’s a condom in the back pocket.” He might have been careless the first time, but he needed to protect her in every way possible. He’d never been with anyone else, and he knew he was as clean as they came. But accidents happened, and he refused to do anything more to mess with her future. He just needed this . . . one last time. And then he’d let her go.

  “Ah.” She slipped her fingers in the pocket and pulled out the foil packet. “So you did come prepared.”

  “I didn’t intend to use it.”

  “Well, I do.” She ripped open the packet. “And there are more in the nightstand.”

  He raised a brow.

  “A brand-new box I purchased yesterday.” She rolled the latex over his erection. “Just in case.” She curled those long, warm fingers around his cock, and his eyes nearly crossed at how good it felt. For a moment, he was overcome with the sensation, and he pushed into her hand.

  “God, I missed you,” she whispered.

  She looked so sexy sitting there, he could barely contain himself. He unwrapped the band holding her hair up on top of her head and watched as the long, honey-colored locks fell down over her bare shoulders. Her curves were full and delicious. He wanted to taste her, to devour her until she cried out his name, clawed at the bedsheets, and came against his tongue.

  He reached down, curled his hand over hers, and inadvertently increased the pressure on his erection.

  “Paige?”

  She looked up. Apprehension filled her eyes, like she expected him to back off and walk away.

  “I want you so bad I could come right now.” He squeezed his hand over hers again to relieve the pressure. “But tonight, I don’t want to hurry. Tonight, we’ve got all the time in the world. Let’s make the most of it. Okay?”

  “Okay.”

  He leaned down, and while he kissed her, she speared her fingers into his hair. She tasted wild and forbidden as her hot, slick tongue delved deep in his mouth–stroking, caressing, and teasing. The throb of desire pulsed through his blood like a raging fire.

  Tonight, they had all the time in the world, and he intended to make good use of every single second.

  PAIGE HOPED THAT all the time in the world meant Aiden intended to stay. For a night. A day. A week. Forever. But right now, she’d take what she could get. There had never been a doubt in her mind that they belonged to each other. Not even when he’d ignored her letters or the fact that she’d waited so long for him to return.

  Hopefully, he’d stop playing games with himself and realize that too.

  “You’re so beautiful,” he said, lifting her hair over her shoulders and sliding his fingers through the long strands. “Even after all those months in the sand, I could still picture you when I closed my eyes. And you smell so damned good. I could bury my face in your skin and stay there forever.”

  Staying in his arms forever sounded like a darned good idea.

  When he trailed kisses down her neck to the sensitive spot near her shoulder and sucked her skin into his mouth, she knew all the time in the world was going to be tough to pull off. All she wanted was him, inside her, pushing, and pounding their way to completion.

  “As long as you bury yourself inside my body too . . .” She slid her hands down his strong torso and cupped his firm buttocks in her palms. “You have a deal.”

  “Oh, that will definitely happen. But right now, I want to taste you.” He covered her breasts with his hands. Her nipples peaked beneath the warmth of his skin, and she moaned deep in her chest as he gently pushed her back onto the mattress. “All over.”

  “Works for me.”

  A chuckle parted his lips, then he paid very careful attention to each erect nipple with gentle pulls of his hot, moist mouth. Slowly, seductively, he kissed his way down her body. And when he hit home between her legs, he took his time. He licked. Stroked. Sucked. And had her mindlessly begging for that slow burn that was just out of reach.

  Thrusting her hips was a natural reaction to the increasing friction of his tongue. When he slipped his hands beneath her butt and pulled her closer to his mouth, she exploded with a cry. The fireworks of shocks and tingles that burst from her core and danced through her blood stole her breath. Left her speechless.

  Still, she wanted more.

  She reached for him. Pulled him up. Then she reached between them, wrapped her fingers around his long, thick erection, and squeezed. “I want this.” She panted. “You. So bad. Right now.”

  “Not as bad as I want you.” He wrapped his arm around her waist and turned her over onto her knees. “I remember you like it this way.”

  “Yes.” She looked over her shoulder at this strong, virile, sexy man as he kissed his way across her shoulders and down her back. Just the sight of him set the tingling in her core to ready, set, go mode. “I like it when you take me like this. Make me yours, Aiden.”

  A low growl rumbled from deep in his chest. He clasped his han
ds around her hips and pulled her against him as he entered her from behind. His rigid, thickness completely filled her and felt so damned good, she cried out.

  He retreated, stopping just short from pulling out, then he repeated the process–building a pressure so sweet, so hot she didn’t know how long she’d last.

  Arching her back to make the angle even more interesting, she looked over her shoulder. The responding look on his face was a combination of determination and ecstasy. He looked hot, muscular, and sexy. And that turned her on even more.

  And then, as he’d always done, he put her first.

  While his hips pumped faster and their skin slapped together, he reached around and found her most sensitive hot spot with his fingers. In perfect unison, he stroked, swirled, and pumped hard. When she came, it was with such a force that a guttural sound ripped from her chest. A moment later, he gripped her hips, pumped harder and faster, then echoed her groan of utter satisfaction.

  When they finally fell together in a heap of wobbly muscles and tingling sex, she laughed. “Remind me to find you in a weak moment a whole lot more often.”

  He pulled her back up against his chest and kissed her shoulder. “Sweetheart, where you’re concerned, I’m always weak. And I’m not complaining.”

  SOME NIGHTS WERE torture. Paige had lost count how many she’d spent looking up at the ceiling and wishing the noisy cicadas would drown out the worry that kept her awake. For countless nights, she’d wondered if Aiden would ever come home. And if he did, would he ever come home to her.

  Last night had been the slice of heaven she’d prayed for all these years.

  Making love with the man was one of those miraculous moments that left her greedy for more. Sleeping in his embrace went beyond words but also left her wanting more. It didn’t take a genius to realize she just wanted more of him, period.

  Realizing his side of the bed was cold, she rolled over and found it empty. A shiver crawled through her heart.

  When had he left?

  And, more importantly, why?

  Just then, the quiet of the early morning was shattered by the hum of an electric motor. Paige padded over to the window and looked out to find Aiden inside the cherry-picker, hovering near the treetops with several overflowing baskets of apples by his boots.

  In a repeat of last night, she opened the window and leaned out, buck-naked for any possible invading aliens and especially Aiden to see.

  “How about a cup of coffee?” she called out to be heard about the motorized hum.

  His head whipped around, and as soon as he saw her, a huge grin spread across his face. “Stay right there. I’ve got a better idea.”

  By the time she closed the window and turned around, the thumps of his boots were coming up the stairs. When he entered the bedroom, he executed a softer version of one of the tackles he used to exhibit playing football in high school, and they ended up on the bed again.

  And then he kissed her.

  When they came up for air, he pulled off his clothes and climbed beneath the sheets with her. Tucked her beneath his warm body and kissed her neck.

  She laughed. “You smell like apples.”

  “You smell like I’m about to get lucky.”

  “As long as you know your place in the universe.”

  “I don’t know about the universe. But I promise, with you, I definitely know where I fit.”

  With one smooth stroke, he made good on his promise. So good in fact, she had no choice but to sigh out loud.

  Chapter Nine

  IT HAD TAKEN days for Aiden to pick the rest of Paige’s apples. Sure, it might not have taken quite as long if she hadn’t kept distracting him by leaning naked out the window. Or bringing him glasses of sweet tea in that nothing little tank top and cutoff jeans. Or tempting him with warm, fresh-baked cookies—in bed.

  In fact, it hadn’t taken half as long as picking the apples did to realize he’d spent nearly every waking hour either by her side, on top of her, or inside her.

  In the mornings, they shared long conversations over coffee. At night, they moved those meaningful chats out to the back patio. And between the times they made love, they’d talk some more. Aiden wondered now how he’d survived all those months without Paige to talk to. Somehow, she managed to get him to open up. To share. And it felt good. Just like his PTSD counselor said it would.

  In Afghanistan, he’d transferred his devotion to Rennie. Although the dog would often just cock his head at some of the things Aiden would say, he’d been a good friend and a great listener.

  Aiden missed the hell out of him.

  Having Rennie back in his life would make everything complete. But that would never happen. The military wouldn’t bring his dog back. No matter how much Aiden had begged, bargained, and pleaded, the answer had been a resounding no.

  The knowledge that he’d never see his friend again just made his damn heart start to ache all over. And it was that missing piece of the puzzle that made him realize that no matter how hard he tried, he’d never feel whole. Never feel complete. Not even when he was lucky enough to have the love of a good woman.

  While Aiden strolled through the Touch and Go Market with a cartful of groceries to replace the ones he’d devoured at Paige’s house, he realized that being with her was a hell of a way to feel good. To forget. It was the only time he actually allowed himself that privilege. But not a moment went by when he didn’t battle the demons that reminded him that he needed to let her go. Trouble was, he didn’t know if he was strong enough to make it happen.

  “There you are!”

  Aiden turned away from studying the ice-cream section of the freezer for just the right flavor to smear all over Paige’s body so he could lick it off. With orthopedic shoes squeaking and in all their flowered muumuu glory, Gladys Lewis and Arlene Potter, president and copresident of the Sweet Apple Butter Festival committee, came toward him at full speed.

  “Ladies.”

  “Aren’t you just a sight for my eyes,” Arlene said, running a wrinkled hand across his biceps.

  “That’s not the right saying, Arlene.” Gladys frowned at her lifelong friend in a way that made the red smear of her lipstick look slightly scary.

  “I don’t care what the saying is supposed to be.” Arlene scoffed. “I’m too busy looking at the pretty package.”

  Aiden had never felt like a piece of meat before, but Arlene’s disconcerting once-over definitely pushed him in that direction.

  Maybe he was just imagining things.

  After all, Gladys and Arlene were beyond their golden years and heading into ancient status. They weren’t your typical sweet old ladies. Most folks in town said the BFFs leaned more toward the “looking for trouble” type. Still, he supposed he could just be blowing things out of proportion. Most likely they were just . . . spirited.

  Even as Arlene continued to feel up his biceps, spirited was the expression he chose to use for them. Because God help him if there was anything more.

  “We came here for a purpose,” Gladys insisted. “Quit yer pussfootin’ around.”

  “Oh, all right. Ya big old party pooper.” Arlene gave his arm a final squeeze with a wink. Then she did some kind of weird shoulder wiggle. “You ever need some . . . company, handsome. You come find me.”

  Aiden had never been more curious. Appalled. Or afraid.

  “We need your help, young man.” Gladys wrapped her arthritic hands around his cart and started to push it down the aisle. Arlene followed with her orthopedic shoes squeaking loudly above the Muzak version of the old nineties hit “I Wanna Sex You Up.”

  No doubt life could be odd. And Aiden had to wonder if somehow he’d fallen into the Twilight Zone.

  “Where are you going with my groceries?” he asked after he followed them around the aisle cap stocked with graham crackers, marshmallow cream, and supersized bars of chocolate.

  “We got to talk business,” Gladys said, grabbing a jar of marshmallow cream and tossing it in his bas
ket. What the hell was he going to do with marshmallow cream? “Can’t do it in the middle of the frozen-food aisle.”

  “Pshaw.” Arlene looked up at her cohort and tossed a bottle of caramel sauce in for good measure. “I’ve done it in the middle of the frozen-food aisle before.”

  Oh, dear God.

  Fearing for his life, or at least his sanity, he followed them. Because the hell if his curiosity would allow him to stay put.

  “MARSHMALLOW CREAM?” PAIGE cocked her head as he pulled the groceries from the bag.

  “Wait. It gets better.”

  As he set the container of ice cream on the counter, then the caramel sauce, Paige asked, “Are we having ice-cream sundaes?”

  A jar of maraschino cherries followed up her question, and he looked up to catch the humor in her eyes.

  “You are the ice-cream sundae,” he said. “And as much as I’d like to take credit for it, you can thank Gladys and Arlene for the idea.”

  “I . . . don’t know what to say.”

  “On second thought, scratch that.” He folded his arms across his chest. “They didn’t give me the idea, they just dumped everything except the ice cream in my cart and told me what to do with it.”

  Paige giggled.

  “I can only take credit for the ice cream.”

  “I guess I should be aghast that those two told you what to do with all this.”

  “I know. They kind of freaked me out a little.”

  “Those two never fail to surprise me.” She came toward him and danced her fingertips up his chest. “However, I’m appalled they didn’t think you could come up with the idea all on your own.”

  Her sweet, smiling mouth was so close he just had to kiss her.

  “Maybe they think I have too much sand in my brain from being in Afghanistan too long.”

  “Maybe they just don’t know you as well as I do.” She rose to her toes and took their brief kiss to another level. “Then again, maybe I just need a little reminder.”

  Curling her fingers into the front of his shirt she started pulling him toward the stairs.

  “Wait a minute!” He broke free long enough to grab the ingredients for a good time off the counter, then raced her to the bedroom.