CHAPTER 5
ANDERSON
Boomer’s been hanging at my place during the day for about a week, except for the day Reese had off a few days ago. I’m not sure where the idea of Boomer hanging out at my place came from, but he hasn’t barked except for a few times while he’s been over, and I’ve actually been able to write. I wasn’t sure where the story was going, but the night after my walk with Reese, I was up most of the night writing.
It seemed to flow out of me. I’m not sure the last time I felt so inspired. I almost slept through Reese’s alarm the next morning, but not quite. I was tired and a little groggy when I heard the knock on my door, but I couldn’t deny my excitement at getting to see her again.
I know why the words have been flowing. I know where my inspiration has come from. I don’t even have to think about it.
It’s her. It’s all Reese.
When she kissed me, it was like everything I knew before about the world flipped on its axis and I was able to see things clearly for the first time. I realized I had never been fair to the woman. I never tried to see a damn thing from her perspective. I thought she was the selfish one.
How wrong I was.
I was the one who couldn’t see past my own problems and my own need. I was blinded by annoyance at my writer’s block, even though I refused to acknowledge it. I was blinded by my own past; my ex having left me unsure of what way was up.
I’m not unsure anymore.
I’m righted and set on the right course for me. I know it with everything in me.
It’s her.
Reese is mine and I’m going to do whatever I need to do in order to prove it to her. She needs me to step up on this one and, considering how I treated her in the beginning, I need to show her the real me instead of the brooding, scowling man filled with anger and complaints.
I’m never going to be a fucking cheerleader or anything, but I used to be able to smile. I used to be able to work. I used to be able to find the sunshine and tilt my head up to it instead of only waiting for the rain.
Now, I don’t need to tilt my head upwards to find sunshine. I’ve found it in my neighbor. My Sunshine.
I haven’t kissed her since the day in the park even though I’m so damn tempted every single morning when she drops off Boomer.
Yesterday, while she was home and I could hear her puttering around her apartment, all I wanted to do was storm over there and take her, show her how much I want her. My cock definitely agreed. That part of my anatomy hasn’t let me forget a damn thing about her.
I replay the press of her body against mine. The way her lips became pliant. The little hitch of her breath when I poured everything into kissing her.
I also saw the wariness in her eyes. So, when I dropped her off at her door after taking a walk a week ago, I promised myself I’d slow down and show her the man I really am. My plan began with getting Boomer on my side.
I’m pretty sure he is now. I glance over at him to find him snuggled in the dog bed I bought so he’d have a place to relax. He’s already had his treat today and now he’s rolled onto his back, his legs kicked up as he snores.
I chuckle and shake my head, looking at the clock on my computer before saving my work and shooting my publisher an email about my progress. For the first time in a while, it’s all truth and not bullshit.
Reese should be home soon and I’m going to make my move today. I’ve needed her, I’ve wanted her. I’ve waited because I needed her to know it wasn’t some trick or something. I hope it’s been enough because I can’t wait any longer.
I need her.
The work I got done over the last week means I can take tonight off from writing. Tonight is all about my girl, my Sunshine.
The knock on my door isn’t as tentative as it was the first day. I smile, remembering the worried look on her face when I opened the door the first night, showing me how unsure she was about Boomer behaving himself and if I was able to get some work done. She didn’t have anything to worry about.
I don’t really think it was the barking which bothered me. It was the words. They weren’t coming to me, and I was lashing out and blaming anything and everything I could.
I don’t have that problem anymore.
When I open the door tonight, Reese’s smiling face greets me and I can’t take it a moment longer. I wrap my arms around her and pull her against my chest. Her eyes widen as her hands come up and brace against my chest.
“Hi, Sunshine,” I husk the words and her smile which started to drop as I pulled her to me, lights up again. I reach up and tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear before I wrap it back around her, needing to surround her as much as I can. “You’re beautiful.”
“Anderson,” she breathes out and shakes her head.