“Yeah, right, man, I had all the ladies. You’re just jealous. I am a fucking legend,” he said as they both walked into the house leaving her alone with Stone.
She was still scowling when Stone took the seat next to her. He put his arm around her and pulled her into him.
“What was that all about?”
Stone chuckled as he looked out into the yard. “A move we used on girls when we were younger.”
“And they fell for it?”
“Every time.” He grinned.
“Then you guys must have dated a lot of stupid girls.” She huffed.
“Stupid girls or girls who just wanted to be kissed.” She looked up to him and his eyes were gleaming. She would have been one of those stupid girls, too.
They both sat in silence for a while swinging together. The air was chilly but it was a clear day. His family was scheduled to arrive in a few hours. Emory had mentioned he had his aunts and uncles and a few cousins coming. She was genuinely happy describing them until she got to Cousin Nina. Apparently, Cousin Nina was Emory’s least favorite.
“You should move in with me,” Stone stated.
Sadie whipped her head to him. “What?”
He shrugged and stared at her. “I think you should move here with me. I’ve got a two-bedroom condo, pretty nice, decent size, it’s got a pool. You’ll like it.”
Sadie stared at Stone in utter confusion. “You want me to move here, with you, like, move in with you?”
“Yeah, that’s what I said, babe.” He sounded amused.
“And we’d have separate rooms?”
It was Stone’s turn to gape at Sadie in confusion. “What? Fuck no we won’t have separate rooms. Why the fuck would we do that?”
“I don’t know, you said you had two bedrooms, I just thought…” She let the last part linger.
Stone snorted. “I mentioned the two rooms so you’d know, there’s plenty of room for your shit but baby, the only place you’re sleeping is with me.”
They stared at one another not saying a word. Sadie looked out to the yard. Stone wanted her to move to Houston, move in with him. This was moving too fast. Wasn’t it?
“Isn’t it too soon?”
“Says who?” He paused. “You’ve been alone all your life, Sadie. You need more time by yourself? Look, think about it. You know what I want, I want you here with me. Just think about it. But decide how you feel, what you want, not what everyone thinks is ‘too soon.’ Fuck ’em, this is about us, you and me, Sadie. No else gets a say in our life. Okay?”
Sadie nodded.
“All right, now let’s go, we have to get in and help.” Taking her hand in his, they entered the house. In the kitchen, Roxanne and Emory were making pies. They were just about done when Sadie and Stone walked in.
“Stone, man, let’s go!” T bellowed from outside.
“Coming,” he yelled back and turned to Sadie, his hands gripping her waist. He bent down and lifted her onto her toes. His lips touched hers. Sadie was expecting a quick kiss with an audience in the kitchen. She got the opposite. His lips lingered before opening his mouth to her. Sadie held back but he didn’t hesitate. He licked her bottom lip before his tongue swirled into her mouth. Her hands lifted from his forearms to his neck and pulled him deeper into her. She moved her mouth over his and sucked on his tongue when it entered her mouth again. She moaned low and he crushed her against him.
“Stone!” T yelled with impatience from the yard again.
Stone slowed their kiss but didn’t fully stop. He pecked gentle soft kisses to her lips before straightening and releasing her. He smiled down at her and winked before strolling out to the deck into the back yard. Sadie watched him until he was no longer in sight.
Sadie’s attention was back to the girls, who were now openly staring with wide eyes.
“Holy fuck! That was hot!” Emory roared as she fanned herself with a pie tin.
*
After helping in the kitchen and prepping all the food, they went their separate ways to shower and get ready. Sadie had gone outside before going to her room. She wanted to see Stone. She walked out onto the deck and saw the four guys playing football in the field beyond the fire pit. Stone and Ethan versus Bogs and T.
Sadie jumped slightly when a hand touched her shoulder. She turned her head to see John, looking thoughtful as he watched the guys.
“They’ve been doing that every Thanksgiving since they all came to us. One of Darla’s fondest memories was our boys playing football in the field on Thanksgiving morning.” His tone was somber, locked in a memory.
They stood together watching them for a few moments. Sadie understood why this was one of Darla’s favorite memories. It would be one of hers too. John tightened his hand on her shoulder.
“This will be one of my new favorites, I think. Your first with us.” He released her shoulder and walked toward the guys. Sadie watched with a warm welcome heart before heading to her room to get ready.
At one o’clock exactly, the doorbell rang. She was in her room getting ready.
She adjusted her dress and put on her knee-high boots. She had had this dress forever but only wore it once. It was form fitting with a V-neck that dipped down to show off some cleavage. She loved the cap sleeves and how it landed at mid-thigh. It was a really pretty, sexy but refined dress. She curled her hair so she had long waves throughout. She did one last look before opening her door.
When she opened the door, Ethan was heading to the stairs. He stopped and waited for her at the landing.
“Hey!” She was fidgeting with her dress. It still had a wrinkle or two from the luggage; she hoped it didn’t look too crumpled. She was a little unsure from the way Ethan watched her.
“Hi, Sadie. You
