Taste (Cloverleigh Farms, #7)

by Melanie Harlow

There was just something so irresistible about getting under her skin—I was a kid in a candy store around Ellie Fournier.

“That’s because it’s all bullshit created to scare you into watching more news, so they can solve the problems they made up in the first place.”

“Anyway, what do you have against getting a solid ten inches tonight? Sounds like a good time to me.” “Spare me the juvenile dick jokes, please.” “Does that mean I can make adult dick jokes?”

“I can’t explain it, but I just know that somehow, tonight will change my life.

Anything I could do to increase Ellie’s chances of snagging that 30 Under 30 spot, I’d do it.

I couldn’t imagine how confident a woman would have to be in order to give sex lessons.

I rolled my eyes. “We will not be having any sex tonight.” “So you’d let the human species die out rather than do it with me?” “Yes.”

But every single nerve ending in my body was suddenly alive and humming.

“It’s almost worse, knowing that kind of love exists, but worrying you’ll never find it. Like maybe if I hadn’t seen it in real life, I’d think it was only in fairy tales and I’d be willing to settle for less.” She shrugged. “But I’ve seen it. And that’s what I want.”

But I was frozen in place. It hit me that she was wearing my sweater with nothing underneath it. That was so hot.

“I want another chance. For years, I’ve been kicking myself for fucking up in that closet.” “Good.” “I let pride win, when I should have just gone with my gut.” “And what was your gut telling you to do?” My voice was low and breathy now, and my eyes dropped to his mouth. “The same thing you were telling me to do. This.” He crushed his lips to mine.

“Sex can ruin a friendship, you know.” “Then it’s a good thing we’re not friends.” I only caught the boyish grin on his face for a second before he was kissing me again. A moment later, he stood up and started to unbutton his shirt. “Wait,” I said, getting to my knees and placing both hands on his chest. “Do you really want this?” “Are you fucking serious?” “Yes.” “I’ve wanted this every single night for six months. Probably farther back than that. You’ve always been the unattainable girl of my dreams, Ellie.”

“Gianni,” I whispered. “I don’t want to wake up tomorrow and like you, okay? So maybe you could just be selfish for a minute? Just fuck me like you don’t care? Better yet, fuck me like you hate me.”

“This is the real me, babe,” I said, feeling oddly vulnerable and yet completely at ease. “Eat your heart out.”

I thought about what he’d said last night. I lied and read your name off so I’d finally get to make out with you. I didn’t think I stood a chance otherwise.

He let go of the towel and it fell to the floor. God, he was so fucking beautiful. Every inch of him.

But especially those eyes, and the way they were looking at me, like he knew he should have gotten his fill, but had to have more.

I wasn’t sure what had taken my inhibitions prisoner, but suddenly I had zero sh...

Then she surprised me by taking the roses and M&M’s from my hands. “I thought friendship couldn’t be bought,” I said.

She hugged them to her chest. “We’re not friends.” Then she turned and walked away, leaving me with a smile on my face. And an ache in my chest.

Less than one hour later, I was back in my bathroom, staring at a big fat plus sign and trying not to be sick.

Two plus signs, actually, because I’d been sure the first test in the box had given me an erroneous reading. But I’d taken the second one and gotten the same result.

The test was positive. I wa...

But I knew three things. I was going to be a father. I was going to be a good father. I was going to do everything in my power to make things right between Ellie and me. I’d always trusted my gut instincts, which usually told me when it was time to move on to the next place, take the next risk, chase the next thrill. But today when I’d heard that little heartbeat and saw those tiny feet and looked into Ellie’s brown eyes, my gut hadn’t told me to run. It told me to stay.

Be. Still. My. Beating. Heart. 🥹😍🥲

But first, she was probably going to want to punch me in the face.

Yeah prolly so but itll be worth it 😂😂

It was a photo frame with the ultrasound picture inside it. On the wide white matting beneath the picture was written love at first sight in lowercase cursive letters.

😍😍😍

And even though I was in a hurry and would probably be a little late for my first tasting, I stayed right where I was, in his arms, chest to chest, our baby cradled between us. It felt like home.

“I love you, Ellie.” His voice was soft and serious. “I have never said those words to anyone before. And now that I know what it should feel like, I’m glad I didn’t, because it would have been a lie.” He looked at me the way I’d always dreamed of. “You’re everything to me. You’re the one.”

My heart 😍😍

I’d smiled as my eyes filled. “I love you too. And yes—I’ll move in.”

Every time I saw those photos on the wall, I remembered him saying, ‘There’s always been an us.’ It made me shiver with joy every time—including now.

My eyes teared up, and I kissed her hand again. I’d never stop being grateful for her.

“It was just a blizzard bang,” she said, laughing gently. “And now look at us. We’re a family.”

“We’re a family,” I said. I kissed the baby’s head and then Ellie’s. “Forever.”