He loved the feeling of her legs wrapped around him, the way she held onto him. The little sexy sounds she made when she came, which caused him to follow her. Breathing heavily, he collapsed and held on as their heartbeats slowed together.
“What time will your sister be back?” he asked moments later.
She shifted and looked over at him. “Around nine.”
He glanced at his phone and winced. “Guess that means we won’t get to enjoy breakfast together.”
She rolled over until she rested her head in her hands, propped up on her elbow. “We could head into town and grab something at Sara’s Nook?”
He smiled. “Now that’s a plan.” He rolled out of bed and started dressing quickly.
“I’ll meet you there,” she said crawling out of bed. “I need a shower.”
“I’ll head home and change and then swing by to pick you up.” He leaned over and kissed her as she sat on the edge of the bed, holding the blankets to her naked body. “Half an hour,” he warned and then quickly left after she nodded.
He stepped outside directly into a shroud of mist and fog. He’d grown up with countless mornings along the Oregon coast that were filled with whiteout conditions such as this. Still, driving back to his place, he used extra caution since he knew school buses and kids walking to school were out and about at this time of the morning.
Parking behind his dad’s truck, he let himself in the back door and snuck into his bathroom to shower and change.
He hoped to avoid running into either of his parents or his brother but knew that the chances were slim.
When he stepped out of the hallway to head back out, he bumped into Jacob, who was dressed and ready for work.
“Could use your help today,” Jacob signed. It was an old habit of theirs, signing when they knew their mother could still be asleep.
“Can’t, have plans,” he signed back, and headed down the stairs. Jacob followed him and, when they reached the kitchen, stopped him again.
“What kind of plans?” Jacob asked.
“I’m helping a friend out,” he replied as he put on his shoes by the back door while Jacob grabbed a glass of orange juice.
“Listen, I don’t ask for much, but Rose has me in a bind. I could use some solidarity.” Jacob glanced over at him.
Conner shrugged. “You know, you two have never gotten along.” Then he had a thought and a burst of laughter exploded from him. “And to think that I used to believe Rose had a secret crush on you.” He shook his head as he left out the back door. Had he seen his brother’s face pale slightly?
When he pulled up in front of the cottage, the old truck that Kara shared with her sister was sitting out front. He winced when he realized he hadn’t gotten Kara’s cell number from her yet so he could text her that he was there.
Just as he was about to climb out of the truck to head up and knock on the door, a dark figure emerged from the home.
When Kara climbed into the truck, he held out his phone. “Program your number for me?” he asked. “I meant to get it the other day.”
Her smile doubled and she nodded as she took the phone.
After she handed it back to him, he shot off a message to her and waited until her phone chimed.
“There, now we can talk anytime. Day or night.” He sighed and took her hand in his, then kissed it.
“Does that mean it’s official?” she asked.
His eyebrows shot up as he backed up. “I would think that after last night…”
“I’m joking.” She nudged him on the shoulder.
He chuckled. “Just so we’re clear.”
“We are.” She smiled over at him, and he felt his heart skip a beat.
Sitting in the bakery with Kara while the people of Pride came and went, he figured it was also obvious to anyone who saw them sitting next to one another in the booth. His arm was wrapped around Kara’s shoulder as they sipped their coffee and had sugary pastries.
She filled him in on her sister’s visit with their parents. Their folks were getting ready to sell their home in Portland.
“They’re hoping to purchase a place closer to Pride,” she said as she finished the last bite of a breakfast quiche. “Since we’re both determined to remain here.”
He thought about his own future. At one point a few years back, he’d been determined to leave Pride. Two years in the city for school had quickly changed his mind, and he’d returned home.
Then again, he hadn’t done anything to make the return more permanent. In fact, he was still living in his childhood bedroom, under his parents’ roof. Sure, he had an excellent job, but most guys in his position had their own places or lived in the barracks. He’d thought about finding his own place and now that he was looking forward to a relationship with Kara, the need to do so had grown.
“Have they had any luck finding a place?” he asked, curious to see what was available.
“I think they’ve found a rental until the new subdivision your family is working on opens up.” Kara shrugged.
Damn, why hadn’t he thought of that himself? He knew that they were scheduled to start building the new homes in two short months. He could be on the list of first home buyers if he wanted.
“Good idea,” he said under his breath.
“What?” She arched her eyebrows and looked over at him.
Shaking his head, he sighed. “I’ve been thinking the same.”
“Oh?” She turned slightly towards him. “Is that why you’re avoiding working with Jacob?”
He nudged her. “Trust me, if you’d witnessed him and Rose bickering, you’d avoid them too.”
“I saw them the other day at the hardware store.” Kara nodded. “I see what you mean. They were arguing over what type of flags to buy. You know, the kind you put out to mark property lines.”
“Right. They went with pink. They’re everywhere up there now.” He motioned towards the hill overlooking the town.
Kara’s eyes followed his gaze. “It’s hard to believe that soon there will be homes up there.”
“One hundred and thirty to start with.”
“Wow, that many?”
“Plus a clubhouse, state-of-the-art gym, pool, tennis courts, and more.”
“Wow, I’m going to have to head up there and take a look at it all for myself.”
“Right now, it’s just a bunch of dirt being moved around.” He took her hand and realized he’d taken enough of her time that morning. She probably had work to get to. Besides, he wanted to do a little home searching himself before dinner tonight.
“What are your plans now?” she asked out of the blue.
He shrugged, not wanting to tell her he was probably going to spend the day looking for a place to live and talk to his brother about setting a lot aside for him.
“I’m free,” she suggested. “Why don’t you take me up there so I can see it for myself? That way, I can get some information for my folks.”
“Are you sure?” he asked her.
She chuckled and nudged his shoulder. “What does a girl have to do to get you to spend the day with her? Beg?”
“You don’t have work?”
She slowly shook her head. “Not until tomorrow.”