Ignite (Cloverleigh Farms, #6)

by Melanie Harlow

So far, I’m appreciating how realistic this is. The kids’ dialogue seems age appropriate, too. Which is rare these days lol.

I think I’m good at reading people when actually what I’m good at is wishful thinking. Letting fantastical notions about guys run away with my brain rather than seeing who they really are. It’s not because I enjoy getting my heart broken—although that’s often the result—but because I’m hopelessly romantic and I don’t know how to pace myself. There’s even a name for it—emophilia.

“It’s fine,” I told myself. “It’s fine that my new next door neighbor is a hot firefighter and single dad with muscles for days and dark, broody eyes. It’s fine, because I am the boss of my feelings.”

“I am also the boss of my hands.” I started up the steps again, imagining what it would be like to feel his scruff against my cheek, maybe bite his lower lip. “And my teeth,” I said defiantly. “I’m definitely the boss of my teeth. I will not bite my nice new neighbor.”

“Fuck,” I muttered, unable to find another napkin anywhere. “That’s a dollar-fifty, Daddy.” “A dollar-fifty!” I turned around and looked at them in the back seat. “You said yesterday the F word was only a buck.” Hallie smiled sweetly. “Prices go up on Sunday.” “Because of Jesus,” added Luna.

Her taste was pure sweetness, and I devoured her like I was scared someone would take my plate away before I was finished.

I hadn’t even taken the time to get her naked, but somehow her little flowered dress only made my blood run hotter and my instincts dirtier. Had she worn it on purpose, knowing I’d be unable to resist her? For a second, I imagined coming all over that pretty dress—so that she’d never wear it again without thinking about what I’d done to her. This was all her fault.

“You knew what you were doing.” I moved over her in a rough, unceasing rhythm. “Huh?” She sounded breathless and confused. “You knew just how to do it.” I changed the angle, plunging even deeper inside her. “How to make me want you this way. How to make me this hard.” “Oh, God, Dex.” She struggled to speak. “You’re so big, it hurts.” “Good.” I wanted to punish her for making me give in, for stealing my strength. “Maybe next time you’ll think twice before coming over here in a pretty little dress and putting your hands on my cock.”

She was trouble, all right. But nothing I couldn’t handle.

“I’m not a cop.” Clamping one hand around my crossed wrists, he slid the other around to my belly and up the front of my sweatshirt. I wasn’t wearing a bra, and his palm covered one breast. “Right now, I’m not even sure I’m one of the good guys.”

“I’ve been thinking about you all fucking day,” he growled, moving his hand down my shorts, inside my underwear. “About the way you taste. About the way you move. About the sounds you make when I put my tongue right here.”

“I’m a big girl, Dex.” I licked him again. “I can take it.”

“I want to watch you take it in deep. I want to see you suck it like you can’t get enough. I want to fuck your mouth until I come.”

“I think a man who cleans is just as sexy as a man who cooks. Maybe even sexier.”

I wish these people would stop being so nosy. Like just watch quietly like you’re supposed to.🥴

This was very triggering for someone who grew up with a dad who had anger issues lol

CLOSED DOOR? UNACCEPTABLE

But as I went up the stairs, I couldn’t help thinking it was a damn good thing I was moving away soon. Because I might not love him now, but I could. I easily could.

Hello, heart? This is brain. We’d like to remind you of the rules on this ride. In order to stay safe, you must keep your hands, feet, and feelings inside the cart at all times. We cannot be responsible for items that are lost or stolen. In case of an emergency, please use the nearest exit.

Her icy demeanor was making me angry—I wanted to take her by the shoulders and kiss her until she loved me again—but I nodded and followed them through the garage into her condo.

I nodded, happy that my throat didn’t close up. “Yes. I have my family, I have you, I have my cat, I have a new job waiting for me—how much more can I ask for?” “You can ask for anything,” she said fiercely. “And you’d deserve it.”

“That’s how I want to be loved—big and crazy. Because that’s how I love.”