Incumbent(14)

“No. I’m not from Virginia.” She glanced away. “I grew up far away from here. Are you from Virginia?”

“Born and raised.”

At that, her stomach rumbled, and she quickly covered it with her hand.

“Come on, let’s eat,” I said. “I interrupted your dinner plans.”

I stood up and pulled her off the couch. We went into the kitchen, and I opened up the bag of food I’d brought from my brother’s house.

“I’ll grab plates.” She finally gave me the easy smile I’d been waiting for. “I hope you brought enough for two.”

? ? ?

After we had eaten, Lucy leaned back and rubbed her slim stomach, making me wish those were my hands on her skin.

“Wow, those were the best ribs I’ve ever had. Your brother is an excellent cook.”

“That he is. How about we go for a walk? It’s a beautiful night.”

Lucy stood and cleared the table, and placed our plates in the dishwasher. “I think a walk sounds great. Give me a minute.”

When she walked out of the room and came back with her keys in hand, I could smell the mint on her breath. Fresh breath . . . she must have brushed her teeth. I took that as a promising sign of what was to come.

She pulled a Northern Ridge HS hoodie over her head and smiled. “I’m ready.”

Without giving her the option, I held her hand, which she didn’t seem to mind. “So, tell me about your day.”

It was driving me nuts not knowing why she went out with Mason rather than coming out with me today. Yes, she’d known him longer and they were best friends, but I really thought she’d felt something when we kissed yesterday, just as I had.

“Mason has a tendency to spring things on me. I really had no intention of going anywhere, and I definitely didn’t want to get covered in mud.” She shrugged and slid her free hand into the pocket of her hoodie.

“Mud?”

Where the hell did they go? Is that why they both looked freshly showered?

She giggled. “Yes. Mason took me to a dirt track and we rode ATVs, but with the rain we had last night, it was more like a mud slick. By the time we got back to my place, we were both covered in it. I’d just finished my shower when you came over.”

I nodded, but my thoughts had stuck on Lucy in the shower. A visual filled my head, and the desire to be the one in the shower with her consumed me. I stopped, and she turned to look at me.

Did I dare ask if they took individual showers? No. I couldn’t. But I was feeling oddly possessive, which didn’t make much sense. Yesterday, I’d had Lucy all to myself, and that was what I wanted today. But Mason had been the lucky one, not me.

“What’s wrong, Drake?” She studied me carefully, her brown eyes scanning my face.

Before I knew it, my lips were on hers in an all-consuming kiss meant to claim her. I drew her closer and slid my tongue over the seam of her lips until they parted. She tasted like mint, and I couldn’t get enough of her. When my hand slipped from the back of her neck to just above the curve of her ass, a soft moan escaped her lips. I swallowed that moan—took ownership—and decided right then and there I wanted all her moans and pleasure to belong to me.

When our lips broke apart, I didn’t let her go. We were pressed against each other, and if we weren’t in public, I would have claimed her right there on the spot. I cursed the thick barrier of her sweatshirt between us, but was grateful I could still feel her soft curves.

“Let me be the one,” I said softly.

With narrowed eyes, she leaned her head back to study me. “The one to do what?”

“The one who makes your heart beat harder. The one who makes you smile as if you don’t have a care in the world.” I reached up to cup her cheek. “Mason was a lucky man today.”

She blinked a few times before opening her mouth and then closing it again. Looking up at me quizzically, she asked, “What do you mean?”

“He spent the day with you and knows you the way I want to.”

When she remained silent, we turned and continued our walk, which concerned me a bit. I’d hoped she’d respond to my comment and tell me she wanted to get to know me too, but she didn’t.

We came upon a quaint neighborhood park with several swing sets, the swings swaying gently in the breeze. I motioned for Lucy to sit, which she did, and I stepped behind to push her. As soon as she swung forward, a lighthearted giggle bubbled from her. She leaned forward and then back, her chestnut-colored hair fluttering with each pass of the swing.

“This is great!” she exclaimed, her eyes shining. “I haven’t been on a swing since I was a kid.”

Her exuberance made me smile. Carefree Lucy, this was what I wanted. No pressure, just fun. So much better than hobnobbing at stuffy formal events.

She straightened on the backswing and my hands landed on her ass to push her again. Grinning to myself, I realized this was the best idea I’d had.

Another giggle escaped her as her hood bounced on her back with the momentum of the swing. I wanted to know what she was thinking, but didn’t want to upset her again, so I bit my tongue.

After a few more pushes, she jumped off on the upswing and landed flawlessly, throwing her arms into the air like a gymnast landing a dismount in the Olympics. Elated, she spun around and bounced up to me before she threw her arms around my neck and briefly squeezed me.