Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 128260 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 641(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128260 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 641(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
“Grace, we’re not robbing the place. We’re buying condoms, like responsible adults.”
She paused, shaking her head slightly. “I’m pretty lame, huh?” she asked. “I can speak in front of a crowded courtroom, and yet buying condoms turns me into a nervous sixteen-year-old.” She reached down in the cart and brought the condom box out and then perched it proudly on top of the ham.
I laughed. “No, you’re not lame. You’re beautiful and amazing. Let’s go put a few of those to use.”
We checked out and drove back to the cabin. The snow was still falling lightly in big, fluffy flakes, casting a magical stillness and making it feel like we were in a world all our own. For now, we were.
CHAPTER 31
Grace
We brought the groceries into the cabin and started unpacking. I set ingredients for grilled cheese and tomato soup to the side so that I could make us some late lunch after everything was put away.
As I was folding up the last paper bag, Carson came up behind me and put his arms around me and whispered in my ear, “I love how you hum when you put the groceries away.”
I laughed. “I do? I didn’t even realize,” I said, turning in his arms.
“Mm-hmm. I can’t wait to learn every little thing about you,” he said, looking into my eyes.
“Even the bad things?” I asked, feeling suddenly nervous at the realization that there was so much we didn’t know about each other.
“Yeah, even the things you think are bad things,” he said very seriously. He brought his lips to mine in a tender kiss that quickly heated and I moaned into his mouth. I loved the way he tasted, loved the way he kissed and the way he moved. He appealed to every single one of my senses and making love with him felt decadent, delicious. I didn’t see how I’d ever get enough. What a wonderful thought.
I kept marveling at all he had revealed that afternoon. I wanted to hear the details about the operations they had carried out, but I also sensed that Carson needed a mental break. And so I wasn’t going to start rapid-firing questions at him all at once. I’d let those conversations unfold naturally. It was important that we bond, and learn how to simply be with each other again if we were going to be the best united front we could be for whatever unfolded, not just in this case, but for our life moving forward. Another wonderful thought.
I pressed against him, a sound of satisfaction coming from my throat, almost a purr. Carson, my brave Carson. My heart burst with pride when I thought of who he had become, what he risked his safety to do for others.
And how incredibly hot he was to top it all off.
He untied the knotted sweater belt at my waist and I laughed into his mouth when his hands started traveling under the hem.
“What?” he murmured, smiling and nipping my lips.
“Nothing. You’re very talented.”
He rubbed his lips against mine. “No, just determined.”
My smile faded as his hands reached my breasts and started rubbing my nipples through the cotton of my bra. “Ahhh,” I moaned, breaking from his lips and leaning my head back.
He pressed his lips to the pulse at the base of my throat as his thumbs circled my hardened peaks slowly, lazily. I breathed harder, tingly electricity shooting to my core and my blood beginning to pulse.
I reached my hand down to rub his hardened length through his jeans. He let out a moan and pressed against my hand. My body was coming alive beneath his touch as it always did, but there was another current running beneath my skin: joy. Joy at the knowledge that there would be much more of this. But even greater joy to know that from here on out I would sleep in his arms, I would be first to hear about his day, I would comfort him, and prepare meals with him, and a hundred other important and mundane things my mind was too dopey to think of at the moment as his scent surrounded me and his hands worked magic on my body. I raised my head and looked into his eyes, filled with heat, with happiness, mirroring what I was sure was on my face as well.
He leaned into my ear as he circled his hips against my hand. “I want you so much, buttercup,” he said, his voice deep and slightly strained. “I’ve never stopped wanting you.”
I moaned. I liked that. I liked that so much. “Me neither” was all I could manage.
“Tell me you’re mine,” he whispered.
“I’m yours. I’ve always been yours,” I breathed out.
“I’m yours, too,” he said. “Always.” Then he undid my jeans and worked them down my hips as I watched him kneel in front of me.