Clover by Braxton Cole

He stared at the front door for a few more moments before he realized that he was being an idiot.
    He took the stairs two at a time, but paused to take a breath before knocking. R.J. answered the door and pointed toward the kitchen. “She’s in there.”
    Somewhere along the line that summer, R.J. had stopped treating Jake like a friend and started treating him like Clover’s boyfriend. The difference baffled Jake.
    “Thanks, man.” He patted R.J. on the back and headed toward the kitchen.
    Jake found her standing in front of the refrigerator with the door open and an apple in her mouth. When she saw him, she took a big bite, then ran over and gave him a hug. The apple crunched in his ear as she chewed. In that moment, he knew for sure that he was completely in love with her. There was no other explanation for him finding the apple crunch adorable rather than annoying.
    “Sorry.” Clover pulled away and placed her hand over her mouth as she spoke. “I haven’t had dinner yet.”
    “Me either. I thought maybe we could grab a burger or something.” The choices for burgers were pretty limited. There was one local diner that was a few miles away on the other side of the river, or they could head back into town.
    “I have a better idea.” Clover held up a package of meat labeled “RIB STEAK.” He recognized the white butcher paper and tape as being from a local butcher that his aunt regularly used. He wondered if the meat came from his aunt. She had a list of regular customers who bought grass-fed, hormone free, antibiotic free meats from her. He’d never checked to see if Mr. Watson was on the list.
    Either way, the stamp on the package meant the rib steak was actually rib eye. That was way better than a burger any day. “You sure that’ll be okay with your dad?”
    Clover gave him a small, mischievous smile. “Pretty sure. But I can double check if it’ll make you feel better.”
    “Double check with who about what?” Brandon entered through the side door from the back deck.
    “Jake doesn’t want to barbecue without permission.” Clover showed him the package of steak.
    “Man, I’m starving. I’ll love you forever if you fire up the barbecue.” Brandon took the meat from Clover and headed to the sink. “I’ll do the dry rub.”
    Clover laughed and pulled Jake toward the door. “You’ll love me forever either way.”
    “That’s true. But start the barbecue anyway, okay?” Brandon washed his hands and opened the meat. “Sooner rather than later. I’ll be ready in a few minutes.”
    “I got it,” Clover agreed.
    As soon as the door closed behind them, Clover pulled Jake closer until she was backed against the side of the house and he was pressed tight against her front. She kissed him like it had been years since they’d seen each other rather than just a few hours since he’d dropped her off after work.
    His hands settled automatically on her waist and he flexed and released his fingers until her shirt rode up high enough for him to slip underneath. Her skin was hot and smooth and he couldn’t believe that she let him touch her in such an intimate way. He’d wanted her for so long that it felt like a dream.
    He swiped his thumbs over her skin absentmindedly, letting them move without thought in a way that mimicked the movement of his tongue inside her mouth. When one thumb brushed against her breast, Clover gasped and pulled her mouth away briefly. She panted, her body writhing against him until all he could feel was her desperate breath on his lips, the smooth swell of her breast beneath his palm, and her hips rocking against his growing hardness.
    He squeezed and massaged and she closed the distance between their mouths with frantic urgency. “Don’t stop,” she pled between kisses.
    “Never.” He swiped his thumb purposefully over her nipple and her body tensed. She gripped his head, her fingers twined in his hair and pulling him closer still. He cursed her bra and his lack of