Chapter 4

Four

S toner

“I can’t believe your parents still live here,” I say as we stand on the Novaks’ front stoop.

But Max gets right to the point.

“What’s your endgame here, mister? You gonna kiss me or what?”

I laugh. “Absolutely I’m gonna kiss you, but that’s not the endgame. There’s no game at all. The plan here, Max, is to marry you.”

If she’s shocked, she doesn’t show it. She licks her lips and the sight of it sends a flicker of desire to my cock.

“Better let me warm up those lips for you,” I say, and cover her mouth with mine.

Her lips are cold, and they’re telling me she’s been wanting to do this all night.

I knew as soon as she walked into my bar that I was going to taste her before the night was over. I’m so glad I was right. Her beachy scent comes crashing back, that scent I haven’t experienced since grad night.

I pull her in closer and she places her mittened hands on my neck. I can feel her heating up in my arms.

I kiss her harder and slide my tongue across her lips.

I don’t know how it’s possible she tastes like toasted coconuts, but I never want to taste anything else again for the rest of my life.

She’s going to be mine.

My head fills with images of Thanksgiving dinners at a long table surrounded by rowdy kids and grandkids, pumpkin pies and a fire in the fireplace.

She makes me want to keep her home and never let her go back to San Diego.

Fuck California. Or hell, maybe I’ll leave all this behind and follow her there.

Whatever the case, “Pumpkin” belongs to me now.