Chapter 22
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
T racy could write contract clauses in her sleep. That was fortunate, because coming up with the correct wording while Adam’s warm thigh rested against hers was a challenge.
But she got ’er done. “I’m happy with that.” She hit the Save button. “I suppose it’s crazy to be so precise when it’s a contract no one but you and I will ever see.”
“It would be crazy if you haphazardly threw something together. You’re incapable of that.”
“Guess so.” She tapped the Print command. Nothing happened.
“I need to turn on the printer.”
“We could print it in the morning.”
“We could.” He left the bed and walked over to his desk. “But I’m guessing you’d rather do it now so we can sign the new version.”
“You do know me well.”
“We all do. We’re grateful to you, Trace. There’s a reason my folks couldn’t wait for you to pass the bar. They finally had a detail-oriented lawyer.”
“I’m glad I was there for them.” And in the nick of time. She’d cleaned up their wonky trust months before Spence died.
The printer came online. Moments later Adam returned with the clipboards they’d used earlier and handed them over along with a pen. “Give me the laptop.”
She laughed. “You’re suddenly quite efficient, Mr. Mayor.”
“I can be when I’m clear about the goal.”
She glanced at the empty signature lines on both contracts. “Except you didn’t sign your name while you were over there. That would have saved time.”
“Signing with you as my witness is symbolic.”
“Then I won’t sign until you come back.”
“Good.”
She’d just finished rereading the new clause when he climbed in next to her.
He shivered. “Cold out there. So… any changes?”
She gave him a look. “What if I found a mistake? You just turned everything off.”
“I’d turn it all back on.”
“It’s perfect.”
“I know. I was reading over your shoulder.”
“You’re as big a nerd as I am. Why didn’t you become a lawyer?”
“Didn’t need to. You were going to handle that so I could join Mom and Dad in running the Bridger Foundation.”
She blinked. “What if I’d changed my mind? What if I’d been halfway through school and decided I’d rather be a paleontologist?”
“Wasn’t gonna happen.”
“It could have. I loved dinosaurs as a kid. Still do.”
“But you loved this town and the Bridger Bunch more. I saw the light in your eyes when you talked about opening your own law office and helping my folks.”
And him. She wouldn’t reveal that, but she understood it now. Digging up dinosaur bones would have taken her away from this place, away from the boy who’d stolen her heart years ago.
She held up the pen. “Who signs first?”
“You do. The escape clause was your brainstorm.”
“Or we could draw straws.”
“We could, for old-time’s sake, but I’m fresh out of straws. Go ahead and sign.”
“Alrighty.” Clicking the ballpoint, she signed her name with a flourish on both contracts, along with the date. “I appreciate you putting in my middle name.”
“Makes it more legal. Besides, I like it. Tracy Lorraine has a nice ring to it.”
“Your turn, Adam Jeremiah Bridger.”
“It’s a mouthful.”
“It’s cool, not to mention historic. I can’t believe nobody used that name until you came along.”
“My dad couldn’t believe it, either, but they didn’t. He checked the records.”
“It’s none of my business, but if you have a son, I think you should name him Jeremiah.”
“It’ll be on the list, but his mother has a say-so. She might not like it as a first name.”
She bristled. “How could she not? It’s a family name with great historic significance.” She already disliked this person.
“My mom didn’t want it to be my first name.”
“That’s true.” She needed to settle down. And quit talking about Adam’s future wife, the woman who would potentially bear his future children, and live in this cabin, and share his bed, and?—
“You’re scowling.”
“No, I’m not.” She pasted a smile on her face.
He chuckled. “You were. Something put a burr under your blanket. Tell the truth and shame the devil.”
She hesitated.
“C’mon, Trace. If we can’t be honest with each other when we’re sitting here naked as jaybirds, when can we?”
“I don’t like thinking of you having a wife.”
“I don’t like thinking of you having a husband.” He shoved the clipboards on the easy chair and cupped her face in both hands. “That’s natural. Having sex makes people possessive.”
“Not me.”
“Really?”
“Sean’s dating someone else now and that doesn’t bother me. I don’t envy her because she has Sean and I don’t.”
“But you’re jealous of my non-existent future wife?”
“Yes, dammit. I’m not proud of it, either.”
“Well, I’m jealous of your future husband, and I don’t intend to apologize. I hate the idea of anyone else doing this.” He savored her lips. “Or this.” Trailing kisses along her jaw, he nipped her earlobe. “Or this.” He combed her hair back and nuzzled the curve of her neck. “I want you all to myself.”
Her breath hitched. “Same.” She closed her eyes as he cradled her breast, his gentle touch arousing her as no man ever had.
Nudging the comforter away, he eased her down on the mattress. She shifted to welcome him, thrilling to the press of his body against hers, the sheer masculinity of his powerful chest and strong arms.
Taking his time, he covered her with teasing kisses, building the tension until she writhed on the mattress and begged him to get down to business.
His laughter tickled her damp skin. “I need to grab my sweats.”
“Are you leaving?”
“Not a chance.” Balancing on one arm, he pawed through the clothes on the sofa. “Looks like a laundry basket up here. Ah. Here we go.” He laid the sweats on her chest. “If you would be so kind as to search the pockets, I think there’s one in there.”
“You think ?” She fumbled with the soft material and found one pocket. Empty. But the second one yielded a foil-wrapped package. She held it in front of his nose. “Only one.”
“That’s all we need for now. Want to put it on?”
“Yes, I do. Let’s get this party started.” She ripped open the package.
“Impatient?”
“Uh-huh. And do you know how good that feels?” Lifting her head so she could see what she was doing, she rolled the condom on his magnificent cock while her body told her to hurry the heck up.
He gasped. “I know how good that felt. A little too good.” He clenched his jaw. “Remind me to do it myself next time.” Gazing into her eyes, he lowered his hips. “Gonna take it slow and easy.”
“So you say.” She stroked her hands down his muscular back and cupped his tight buns.
He swallowed. “That turns me on.”
“Me, too.” She squeezed gently, which made him groan.
“That really turns me on.”
She trembled. “You know what turns me on?”
“Tell me. I want to know.”
“Everything.” Tightening her grip, she urged him forward. “I need you bad, Adam Jeremiah Bridger.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He thrust deep.
And she came — laughing and crying out in equal measure as her body celebrated his awaited arrival.
Meanwhile he squeezed his eyes shut and swore a blue streak, interspersing the outpouring of salty language with don’t come, don’t come, don’t come.
When the waves of pleasure ebbed, she reached up to stroke his tight jaw. “Sorry.”
“Don’t be.” He opened his eyes. “I just didn’t want to do the same.”
“So I heard.”
“I’ve never sworn during sex before.”
“Then that makes me special.”
“Oh, you’re special, all right.” He initiated a lazy rhythm. “And now you get a twofer.”
“Can’t wait.”
“Or better yet, wait. Let’s make it last.”
“I’m in. Well, technically you’re in and I’m?—”
“The most talkative partner I’ve ever had.”
“Which makes me extra special.”
“Yeah.” Leaning down, he kissed her, his pressure light. Meanwhile he changed his angle ever so slightly but kept the same leisurely pace.
So nice, drifting along, her body humming with pleasure in a relaxed, cozy way… no urgency, just… oh, wait… not so cozy now. His kisses were still gentle and his pace had stayed the same.
But she was on fire. She turned her head and gasped out a quick more .
“More?”
“More!”
“Yes, ma’am.” And he gave her more, his thrusts lifting her off the mattress.
She erupted in seconds and he followed right after, throwing back his head with a shout of triumph. Glorious .
What a revelation to discover she was as sexually responsive as anyone. She’d just been choosing the wrong partners. The day would come when she had to give up making love with Adam. But this was not that day.