Page 133 of Matchmaking On The Menu

As always he sees me. He knows exactly what I need. He pumps his hips, every thrust unraveling me a little more.

“God, Teddy. Yes!”

“You feel so fucking good.”

“I’m close. I’m going to come.”

His mouth finds mine again, and he swallows my cries as I explode around him. Moments later, I feel him release into me as he groans my name, and I wish I could capture the sound in a bottle.

The rest of the night unfolds in pieces I know I’ll remember forever. Warm skin. Tangled sheets. Kisses that keep breaking because one of us starts smiling. His hands exploring me over and over like he has all the time in the world. Mine doing the same.

Later, I end up sprawled across his chest while his fingers trace lazy patterns along my back.

“You know,” I murmur sleepily, “this is probably excellent newspaper material.”

He groans. “Absolutely not.”

“Local photographer⁠—”

“No.”

“—emotionally supportive during extremely important⁠—”

His hand covers my mouth as I giggle against his palm.

And somewhere between the warmth of him beneath me and the sound of our laughter filling the room, it hits me all over again.

This is the life I wanted.

I just didn’t know I was allowed to have it.

27

TEDDY

THE FOCAL POINT ALL ALONG

“Teddy, where are we going?”

“You ask that every time we get in the Jeep.”

“Because every time we get in the Jeep, you refuse to tell me.”

I glance across at her and smirk. “Almost like it’s working.”

Dannica crosses her arms, but the smile tugging at her mouth ruins the effect.

Ten minutes later, I pull up outside the old community hall.

She looks at the building, then back at me. “This is your surprise?”

“You’re very judgy for someone who hasn’t seen it yet.”

“I reserve the right to judge community halls on sight.”

I get out and walk around to open her door. “Come on.”

Inside, she slows to a stop. At first, I don’t think she understands what she’s looking at. Then her gaze moves from one wall to the next. Photographs cover every available space. Dozens of them. Maybe hundreds.