Epilogue #2
I was happy to oblige. My grip on her hips tightened as I drove into her, my pace becoming urgent…frantic. The angle was perfect, each thrust rubbing against that spot inside her that made her gasp. I could feel the tension coiling in her again, a second wave building.
“Don’t stop… right there… right there!” she begged.
My own climax was rising fast.
“Amy… I’m…” was all I could manage.
“Me too,” she gasped. “Come with me. Now.”
Her body clenched around me like a vise as a second, shuddering orgasm flew through her.
That was all it took to make me lose control. I drove into her one last time, as deep as I could, as my own release tore through me, hot and blinding. My hips jerked against her as I spilled myself inside her with a ragged growl.
For a long moment, we stayed just like that, pressed together against the shower wall, panting as warm water washed over us.
The world slowly came back into focus. The sound of the shower, the feel of the tile under her hands, the steady beat of our hearts slowing. We’d run through most of the hot water in the tank, and the water was starting to cool.
She turned her head with a lazy, sated smile on her lips as her eyes met mine.
“That was delicious,” she said, her voice husky. “But everyone’s going to be here soon. Time for you to clear out, Dawson.”
“Yup. I’m already on my way,” I rumbled as I gave her one last hug before hopping out of the shower. “Oh, and why don’t you check in the fridge? I may have picked up something for your party.”
There was a cake from Stephanie’s Sweets in there. I knew all the ladies would devour it within minutes, so I’d snuck one tiny sliver of it for me. And next to that cake was a gift bag with eight personal-sized goat’s milk body butters from our local soap-maker, Kat, in assorted scents.
She was testing out new recipes, and I’d bought all her samples for Amy’s spa party.
I’d also picked up some fancy face scrubs in Fernwood, along with lip moisturizers, body butters and something called eye serum. I’d gone a little crazy with it. I’d spent over two hundred dollars on fancy spa crap.
Hidden inside that bag, nestled in a small gift box, was the engagement ring I’d promised Amy when we first decided to make things formal.
I’d been saving up every month for it, and finally got to pull the trigger this weekend.
It was the exact ring she’d wanted from the fancy jeweler in Fernwood. The one I’d told her I couldn’t afford.
I might be a frugal guy, but there were some things you just have to splurge on. I couldn’t wait for her to open up that bag and get the shock of her life. Something told me it was going to be a great spa party.
“Bye, babe. Call me if you need anything. You know where I’ll be,” I rumbled as I hastily redressed.
I loved this woman with everything in me, and there wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her.
She was the woman I wanted to grow old with. I could already see two rocking chairs on the back porch, slowly rocking through years of summer days, as our hair grew gray, and we lost some of our good looks. I couldn’t wait to build a life of memories with this woman.
Amy made my heart beat.
The doorbell rang as I finished getting dressed.
Shit. I’d stayed too long. I was supposed to be cleared out before anyone arrived.
As I swung the door open, I saw it was my daughter Talia. She was fifteen now and growing up too fast.
“Daddy! I thought you’d be gone by now,” she chattered as she gave me a hug. “Ew, your hair’s all wet.”
“I just got out of the shower,” I told her as I waved at Laney. My ex had dropped her off and was already pulling out of the driveway.
I ruffled her hair as if she were still eight years old. “Now, you remember what I said, right?”
My sweet Talia rolled her eyes at me. She was in her eye-rolling stage of life. “Yeah, Dad. I’ll record the whole thing on my phone.”
She knew all about the engagement ring sitting in that spa bag, and she’d promised to make sure it wouldn’t get thrown away by accident.
Talia squeezed my hand and added, “I’m happy for you, Dad.”
I gave her a grin that reached all the way to my toes.
Then she got distracted as Noodles ran out from the master bedroom, meowing to greet her.
“Noodles! I’ve missed you.” Talia dropped her overnight bag in the hallway as she scooped the cat up.
I watched for a moment, then slipped out the door, content that the two women I loved most in this world were happy.
Life was good on Red Oak Mountain.
Life was real good.
Will Cade fall for Mary when he saves her from the worst date of her life? Find out in the next book, Claimed By Cade.