Saving Easton (Oakside Military Heroes Book 2)(46)

"Pushy? I can show you pushy, mister." I joke right back.

He walks up to me and takes my hands in his, and then leans down for a kiss.

"Isn't the kiss supposed to happen at the end of the date?"

"When have we done anything the traditional way?"

"Good point. Keep kissing me, then," I lean up for another kiss.

After another quick kiss, I pull back, "Ready?"

"Yeah." He takes Allie's leash, and we go out to the front desk, where Lexi and Noah greet us with big smiles.

"Don't make this a thing," Easton says, and Noah hands him the sign out form.

"I didn't say a word," Noah winks.

"Your face said it for you," Easton says, making Noah laugh.

"Didn't know my face was so chatty. I’ll work on it.”

Lexi and I just give each other a knowing look, and she winks at me.

"Okay, let's go. I have dinner planned, and Reba was eyeing the meatballs I made," I say.

"Spaghetti?" Easton asks.

"Yep, Mom's recipe with meatballs and garlic bread."

"My favorite."

"I remember," I say with a smile, and take his hand, as we walk to my car.

He hesitates getting in.

"What's wrong?" I ask.

"Well, if I sit up front Allie can't be with me, but I'm not sure about how I feel about riding in the back either."

"Allie liked riding behind my seat. If you push your seat back far enough, she’ll almost be beside you."

He pushes the seat back, as I get the dogs in the car. Sure enough, Allie is right there behind my seat and is able to rest her head on Easton's arm.

"Good so far?" I ask.

"Yeah."

We head out of the driveway, and I look over at Easton. He still looks relaxed, so I make my turn and pull out onto the main road. Each time I have to make a turn, I stop and watch him. With each turn, he gets more nervous.

"Almost there, but remember, we can go back at any time," I say.

"I don't want to go back."

"Okay."

A minute later, we’re pulling into my driveway.

"It hasn't changed much." He says, staring at the house.

"On the outside.”

The moment we open the door for Allie, she jumps out and runs to the center of the yard, sniffs, and then pees.

"Oh, thank God you got that spot. It hasn’t been watered, since you left," I say, as Allie comes running back over to me. We go inside, and Easton stands by the door just looking around the room.

Reba comes out and greets him, and he kneels down to pet her.

"This is Reba, right?"

"Yes, she’s just starting some basic training, so excuse her lack of manners."

Reba and Allie then sniff each other out, before Reba and Molly run off to their room to play, but Allie doesn't leave Easton's side.

"They have their own room with toys and beds and all," I say.

"I remember your grandpa helped us build a fort around the TV in the living room, so we could watch movies all day, during that bad rainstorm."

I glance towards the TV that’s still in the same spot, though a different TV.

"Yeah, I got to join you and Leeland, and he made me go get the snacks and drinks all day, saying junior clubhouse members had to fetch everything." I roll my eyes.

"Yeah, I laid into him about that. Even then, I didn't like anyone mistreating you."

When neither of us says anything, I find I need to fill the silence.

"Do you want something to drink or lunch?"

"Lunch sounds good."

"Sandwiches, okay?"

He nods.

I go to the kitchen and pull out what I need to make some BLT sandwiches. I figure since bacon is served few and far between at Oakside, this would be a nice treat.

I don't hear Easton come into the kitchen, until he’s wrapping his arms around me from behind. He leans down and kisses my neck. I set down the food in my hands and brace myself on the counter, leaning my head back on his chest.

"You didn't invite me here for lunch." He says, kissing my neck.

"No."

"Show me your bedroom." He whispers against my ear, before he pulls back just enough for me to turn in his arms.

In his eyes, I see a raging desire that I know matches mine. I take his hand and lead him down the hallway to my room at the far end of the house.

When we get to my room, we stand in the middle and just stare at each other, watching to see who will make the first move.

I want to see his tattoos so badly, so I decide to make the first move and pull my shirt off, leaving me in my shorts and bra. Hoping he’ll follow suit, I wait. Though, his breathing picks up, and his hand grips the hem of his shirt, he doesn't move.

"It's not pretty, sunshine."

"But it's you. I want all of you."

He doesn't move for another moment, before he starts unbuttoning his shirt, and it joins mine on the floor. My eyes run up his chest, but it isn't the Marine tattoo, or the scars that make me gasp. It's the tattoo over his heart, filled with paisley designs. It's the only color tattoo on his body, and it’s done in orange, yellow, pink, and purple. My favorite colors.