His face moved closer. “There’s such a thing?”
Her body shifted. “Oh, yeah. Most of what I’m picturing, along with the thoughts running around in my head, is definitely social media jail worthy.”
His other hand came up to mirror the one already in her hair. “Hmm.”
She thought he was going to kiss her, press his mouth to hers, but instead, he ran the tip of his nose along her jaw and trailed it up to her ear, his breath warm and seductive.
“How about the caption: ‘you might ruin me for anyone else’?” The whispered words slid over her, curled like vines around her heart, which she was trying to keep out of the entire situation, and filled her with a longing that was so much more than physical.
She gripped his other wrist, pressing her body closer, tilting her head so he could trail his lips over the sensitive skin of her neck. She closed her eyes, let herself justfeel.“That’s a good one,” she said, her voice unrecognizable. “Maybe I’d comment ‘God I hope so’ or ‘that only seems fair.’”
He pulled back to press his forehead against hers, and their eyes locked. “You’re sure about this?”
Her throat went dry. Her whole life, she’dworkedfor the results she wanted. With Beckett, it felt effortless. Like jumping off a cliff with a guaranteed safe landing. “I feel like you’re the first thing I’ve been sure about in forever.”
It was as if all he needed was to hear the words from her lips. His mouth slanted over hers, their lips meeting with an urgency she’d never felt. Never known existed. He was right about one thing, she thought as their hands roamed over each other. There was no way to caption this moment, no picture that could truly encapsulate how much she felt or how badly she wanted this. Wantedhim.
He whispered her name like a sacred prayer, his hand stroking down her back, up the side of her body, over her ribs, his thumb grazing, exploring. When he pulled her up, their bodies locked together, their breath mingling as he boosted her up so she could wrap her legs around him. He walked them toward his room, slowly, like he was trying to hold on to the seconds, memorize the moments. Nothing existed outside of this man, his words, the feel and taste of him. It amazed her that something could feel so dreamlike and real at the same time.
He lowered her to the bed, covering her with his body, and it surprised her that someone so large could move with such grace, such care. Such gentle precision. He stroked her hair back from her foreheadwith both hands, pressing featherlight kisses along her hairline, her jaw, to the spot just under her ear. The sound of his breath in her ear, the feel of his muscled arms surrounding her, pulling her nearer, like he couldn’t get close enough, the way his hands moved against her skin scattered her thoughts.
Presley pushed at his T-shirt, eager to explore him, learn him, consume him. Beckett pulled away only long enough to reach behind him, tug it over his head, and toss it away. Back and forth, she thought with a smile. Push and pull.
Then his lips found hers again and Presley was lost. She’d been so worried about the future, she’d forgotten about now. She’d come to the middle of nowhere, sad and alone, and ended up feeling more seen, more connected, and more valuable than she ever had in her life.
“Presley,” he whispered.
Her breath caught on the depth of emotion in his voice, his gaze, his touch. No, she couldn’t capture this with words or an image, but she could memorize every second. As they sank deeper into one another, tangling themselves up physically and emotionally, that’s exactly what she tried to do.
Presley burrowed into the crook of Beckett’s arm like the space was created for the shape of her body. A little shiver erupted over her skin as he trailed his finger along the dips and curves while their breathing evened out. She had a newfound appreciation for the great outdoors. If that was what gave this man his six-pack abs, sun-kissed skin, and agility, she was now an outdoor enthusiast.
“You’re quiet,” he whispered, kissing the top of her head.
“I’m appreciating what the wilderness has done for your physique,” she said.
He laughed, leaning back to look at her. “I love how you just say whatever is on your mind.”
“It’s actually not a good thing. But in this case, I’m okay with it.”
His hand skimmed down, rested on her belly. “Well, whatever workout regime you follow is working for you as well.”
Presley turned on her side. “Oh, it’s brutal. A daily grind that includes at least one trip to Starbucks and one meal out. It’s commitment, but if it matters, you do it.”
He smiled against her mouth, pulling her into another kiss that made her brain hazy. When he lifted up, he ran the tip of his nose along the bridge of hers before he grinned at her, his hair tousled, his gaze slumberous.
“I applaud and approve of your commitment. Also, I have a surprise that I think will fit right in.”
Curiosity and desire warred with each other. When he hopped from the bed with far more energy than she felt, she followed. They pulled on sweatpants and sweaters. She pulled her hair into a ponytail, doing her best not to worry about checking her makeup or wearing something that flattered her more. He didn’t care. He looked at her and she couldseeandfeelthat he liked what he saw.
“Come on,” he said, taking her hand.
She laughed at his excitement, wondering what he wanted to show her. When he led her outside to the backyard, her body filled with happiness.
“When did you do this?” She took a step forward, her gaze moving over the setting. Under the cover of trees that shrouded his yard, allowing only miniature windows into the night sky, he’d strung more lights, crisscrossing them overhead, looping them on the fence posts and draping them like an aisle on either side. Before this, the twinkle lights on the porch had been cute. Now, the collection of bulbs, the warm light of all of them shining together, was nothing short of breathtaking. He’d done this for her.
“Before I got sucked into Instagram. TikTok scared me or I’d probably still be on my phone.”
Presley threw her arms around his neck. “I think I could have rescued you.”
