Jessica Lemmon - Hard to Handle

She didn’t want to stop. Ever. She just wanted to stand here, shivering in the rain, and kiss him. This moment was perfect. This moment was what she’d imagined when she’d pulled into his driveway.

He swiped her wet hair from her face. “Look at you,” he said, his voice low. “I’m so sorry I made you cry.”

Which, of course, made her cry again.

He swiped her tears, the rain, from her cheeks with the pads of his thumbs. “If I tell you I love you, will you stop crying?”

She smiled but shook her head.

He smiled back, his dimple denting his cheek and catching a droplet of rain. “If I let you punch me in the nose, will you stop crying?”

She chuckled. “Maybe.”

“Maybe, huh?” He bent and kissed her, his tongue warm against her cold lips. She held on to him and thought how they must look, clutching each other, making out in the rain, desperate not to let go. She liked that. No, she loved that. She loved him .

He pulled away and clasped her hand, then ducked into her car and came out with the keys. He clicked the key fob to lock the door and led her to the back of his father’s house and into the kitchen.

Aiden’s father was cracking open a beer when they entered. He spared Sadie a smile and Aiden a wink, then scuttled through the doorway and up the stairs.

Aiden tightened his hold on her wet hand and pulled Sadie through the den and into his room, shutting the door behind them. Remembering the night he’d sat on this comforter with her in his lap was almost enough to buckle her knees. She never thought she would be in here again. But here she was.

He didn’t let go of her hand until they stood in front of his dresser. She surveyed the items on the surface. A coffee mug full of change, a ball cap, a magazine, a key chain…

She smiled down at the cartoon of a bride and groom, and the words that read UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT. Her smile faded as her eyes tracked to what was attached to the chain.

Not a key.

Aiden lifted the key chain and dangled the platinum engagement ring in front of her. “This,” he said, his voice tight, “is what I had planned for the night I came to take you to dinner.”

Sadie stared as the ring swayed back and forth. “The night I blew it.” She had, too. He’d stood there proclaiming how much he loved her and how he’d always loved her, and he’d had this in his pocket. She’d completely blown it.

“No more crying, remember?” he said as he unhooked the ring from the chain. “And you didn’t blow it.” He held out a palm. “Give me your hand.”

Heart pounding ninety miles a minute, Sadie did as he instructed.

“You only delayed it,” he murmured, clasping her fingers gently in his. “Marry me, Sadie.”

She snort-laughed and covered her mouth to muffle the sound.

Aiden’s lips quirked. “I forget, is it one snort for yes, or two?”

She laughed as she swiped at her leaking eyes. “One,” she managed. He grinned as he slid the ring home, a perfect fit. Like him, she thought. She threw her arms around his neck. “I love you,” she said into his ear. “I’m sorry I didn’t realize it sooner. I’m sorry I ruined everything.”

He pried her away from him and tipped her chin. “Look at me, Sadie. Do I look ruined?”

No. He looked devastatingly handsome. His hair wet and mussed, his face damp, water droplets hanging off the longer scruff on his jaw. She raked her fingers through it, the rasping sound making her shiver. “Make love to me.”

Aiden’s smile vanished.

He dipped his head and took her lips, gingerly unbuttoning her wet shirt and dropping it with a plop at her feet. Then he peeled his own shirt away, revealing his damp, bare chest. He seemed to consider something, before moving to a radio on the nightstand. He turned it on.

“Maybe they won’t hear you over the music,” he said, standing in front of her again.

Sadie palmed his jutting erection. “Me?” she teased, enjoying him looking down at her with hungry, ever-darkening eyes. “You’re the one who’s going to have to try and keep it down tonight.”

She was grinning, a big, stupid, happy grin that felt so much better than the agony she’d felt moments ago. Biting her bottom lip, she slid her fingers beneath the band of his running shorts.

He dropped his head back on his neck and groaned before fishing her hand out and undressing himself. Sadie simply stared at his naked body, his damp, golden skin, broad shoulders, taking all of him in, and feeling so grateful to be here with him like this.

He undid her bra, slowly slid it down her arms, his fingertips trailing along her exposed flesh. Sadie shuddered at the intensity in his eyes. He unzipped her skirt, dropped it to her feet. When she bent to take off her high heels, he shook his head. “Leave them on.”

She obeyed and Aiden dipped his head to take her nipple with his tongue. His hand slipped between her legs and when she brought her hand to the back of his head, the diamond on her ring finger glinted in the lamplight. He sensed her hesitation and lifted his face, still stroking her below, his other arm braced at her lower back.

“Tell me,” he commanded.

She was disintegrating beneath his touch, but she managed to whisper, “I love you.”

He dropped his forehead on hers and closed his eyes. “I love you.”

And then he proceeded to show her how much.

Snow drifted down from the sky, blanketing the front of Mike Downey’s yard in a few inches of the stuff. Sadie stood at the front window, clasping her arms around herself and watching the serene picture outside.

The neighborhood was quiet, the holiday lights strung white on some houses, red or blue on others. It made for a twinkling, happy backdrop to the happiest time of Sadie’s life.

“Here you go.” Crickitt handed over a hot mug of cocoa. “Yours has Bailey’s in it.” She took a long, appreciative sniff and rubbed her protruding belly. “I’m so jealous you get to drink alcohol. Does that make me a horrible mom?”

“Not at all,” Sadie said, palming her best friend’s arm. “How are you feeling? Better?” Dinner tonight had featured a slab of perfectly seasoned, red, juicy prime rib. Crickitt had turned green at the sight of it and Shane and Aiden had whisked the platter back into the kitchen before Crickitt’s unborn baby kicked the food right out of her stomach.

“Better.” She rubbed her tummy. “I might have to stick to fish and chicken from here on out.”

Deep laughter rumbled from the den, and Sadie’s arm broke into goose bumps. Aiden was in there, she could hear his distinct chuckle apart from the others.

“You’ve never looked so happy,” Crickitt said.

Sadie smiled at her, shrugging her shoulders to downplay her emotions. Love was a vibrant light and Sadie emitted it like the Gloworm she’d bought for Celeste for Christmas. Well, for her niece or nephew currently incubating in Celeste’s belly, anyway.

Aiden had come with her to her mother’s Christmas Eve dinner last night. It was the first time he’d met her mother and stepfather, her sister, and Trey. Sadie was a nervous wreck, despite having mended things with Celeste last month.

Celeste’s pregnancy had been a rough one, and that had brought out Sadie’s kind side. She saw Celeste several times a week, either to bring her food or magazines, or just to sit and talk to her about things they should have resolved long ago.

Yes, she and Celeste were a-okay…it was Aiden she’d worried about around Trey. She shouldn’t have worried. Aiden had glided into her mother’s house and greeted her family like he’d known them for years.

When he met Trey, he pulled Sadie flush against his side and rubbed her arm as he talked to her ex, simultaneously calming her and letting Trey know unequivocally that Sadie was his. Not that Aiden needed to claim her, but she’d appreciated his protection—so much she pulled him into a back bedroom after dessert and made out with him for several minutes.