a win.”
“Aren’t I?” he challenged her.
She finished cutting and tossed the greens into two bowls. Then she set her knife and chopping board in the sink. She pursed her lips and said, “I think you’re finally being honest with me. That’s the biggest difference. You are far more authentic now than you were when I first met you. Honestly, you were insufferable then. You can be harsh and mean, without intending to be, but now we are relatable. Your insistence on apathy was a bit too much for me.”
“I noticed that. You have a fierce temper.”
“You deserved it.”
He nodded and noted his concession with a head bow. She grabbed the pot holders and poured the pot water and noodles into the sink through the strainer, returning the noodles to the pot before dumping the bottled sauce in, stirring it and setting it back on the stove. “Sorry, it’s vegetarian. We never buy meat.”
“Vegan?”
“Not officially. Karlee and I just never bothered to eat it very often.”
“You miss her?”
“Yeah. A lot,” Jody said in a tone that was softer than he was used to from her. Tender almost. “She’s moving on with her life. Growing up. Her boyfriend’s son is almost four years old now and she had to move in so she could fully engage as his mother. He calls her mom, but it was hard with their separation. It’s better now. But the whole next step was something I wasn’t ready to accept.”
“I can’t imagine being a parent.”
She stirred the pot, her gaze drifting absently. At his words, her eyes landed on his and she engaged him with a shared smile. “Honestly? Neither can I.”
They shared a lot in that look. It was intense and hot.
She turned off the pot and walked around the bar. Ross was unclear who decided what to do next or how he knew, or they knew, but he got up as well and rushed around the island before they had to touch each other.
Their arms enveloped one another. He leaned over and his mouth landed on hers. She strained up on her tiptoes, but he slowed her down. He took her mouth in a long, slow, sensuous kiss. Clasping her lips with his, he slid them together and pressed and turned, then licked her lips until her mouth opened and their tongues met. Softly and tenderly, they caressed and lapped each other as her body shifted closer to his. He held her up. His arms completely surrounded her and his strong muscles supported her. It was the only time Jody allowed herself to be so fragile and delicate. Going all but limp in his arms, she moaned into his mouth and slid her hands through his hair. After folding, tugging, and running her fingers through the strands, she pulled out her fingers.
They melted together. He had no idea how to describe what happened next.
They held each other as their clothes were swiftly removed and it didn’t matter whose went where. They were gone. Their two naked bodies began writhing against each other. Jody gasped out under his lips, “Condoms.”
They seemed to be her obsession. He groaned as he released her and she ran off before rushing back with one in her hand. He was smiling at her naked sprint to get them. He watched her cute, little butt as it twisted and moved. That was too much time apart and their lips found each other quickly before they started all over. Devouring each other while her hands managed to get the condom on, he lifted her up and carried her, glancing around until he found the table. He carefully folded her body over it. Her backside was against him. He ran his fingers down the soft curve of her back and the line between her white, round globes of ass. She was so beautiful. She flipped her hair and the dark strands cascaded over him and her. He loved its extraordinary mass. “Okay?” he grunted as he positioned her gently, placing her stomach on the table and her ass high up beneath him.
He ran a finger down her center and it was already dripping wet. “Yes. Oh, yes,” she gasped. “Now.”
He held her hips with his hands and aimed right at her opening to leverage her body before he shoved himself in. He let her take him fully, staring down at their joined bodies, looking so hot and sensual, but new feelings kept popping up inside him whenever he was with her. Tender sensations. There