Chapter 34
34
Conrad Strauss
T he hot water rains down the front of Whit as I finish washing the suds off his body. I got back from doing the morning chores about a half an hour ago, and he was awake and about to get in the shower when he invited me to join him.
“My turn,” he says with a grin that makes my chest squeeze as he pours body wash onto the loofah. Starting with my chest, he scrubs me with the utmost care, making sure to not miss a single inch. We’ve both been semi-hard since the minute we got in here, but so far, neither of us has done anything about it. I think our time for patience is fading.
The longer his hands are on my body, spreading the soap around, the more I want them to drop lower. Last night is still vivid in my mind, and a needy desperation for a repeat is overwhelming.
“I think you missed a spot,” I breathe, a smirk curling my lips as he peers up at me.
Whit’s soapy hand finally comes between us as he wraps it around my stiff length. I grit my teeth, feeling the pleasure from the simple touch throughout my entire body. “You mean right here?”
Bringing my other hand to his dick, stroking him in time with how he’s jerking me, I murmur, “Yes, kitten, right there.”
I dip my head down, bringing my mouth to Whit’s, kissing him softly under the stream. My tongue slips past his lips, rolling along his, and I can’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude.
Gratitude that I’m standing here in this shower with Whit.
Gratitude that after everything that happened between us, we were able to find our way back to each other.
Our kiss ends, but we don’t pull apart. Breathing each other in, we continue to pump one another in our hands. The feel of him and the sight of his eyes watching me is heady. It’s not long before he’s whimpering and tensing up.
“I’m close,” he breathes. “I want you to come with me, Connie.”
“I’m right there, too, kitten.”
My skin tingles, heat pooling low in my groin, and as I brush my lips against his once more, we both seem to let go at the same time. Swallowing Whit’s moans, we stroke each other through our orgasms, and the water is well on its way to cold by the time we finally pull apart and rinse off one last time.
Turning off the shower, we step out and take our sweet time getting dressed. Once we leave the bedroom, the smell of bacon invades my nostrils. “Nana’s finally home, I see,” I murmur as we descend the hall toward the kitchen. Last night after dinner, Shooter dropped her off at Roger’s, where she spent the night again.
“There you two are,” she calls out over her shoulder as we round the corner. “I was starting to think I would be eating all of this myself.”
“You didn’t have to do all this,” I tell her.
“Well, I was hungry, and I assume you two haven’t eaten yet.”
“You would be correct,” Whit chimes in, opening the fridge and grabbing out the creamer. “Did you have fun at your boyfriend’s last night?” he asks, a touch of teasing in his tone that makes me smile.
Nana scoffs. “Roger and I are just two people who happen to enjoy each other’s company.”
“Mmhmm, is that what the kids are calling it these days?”
“Oh, you knock it off.” She swats at Whit’s arm, making him bark out a laugh. “And what about you two lovebirds? I’m assuming with the way you ran out of the barn last night, things are okay?”
Whit glances over at me, his gaze soft behind his glasses. He nods and says, “Yeah, we’re more than okay.”
“Wonderful! Now, help me get the pancakes started.” She hands Whit a bowl, and that’s that. The three of us work side by side, fixing breakfast before sitting around the table to eat. It’s an incredible way to spend a Sunday morning, and that overwhelming feeling of gratitude from earlier comes back tenfold as I flit my gaze between my Whit and my nana, realizing just how blessed I am.
After we finish eating, Whit shoos us out of the kitchen, insisting he clean up the dishes himself. Nana and I shuffle out to the porch swing outside, and I know we need to talk anyway. She beats me to it, though.
“Why didn’t you tell me about the divorce?” she asks, gaze fixed out into the yard. I’m a little surprised this hasn’t come up sooner.
“You love Whit, and I didn’t want to admit to you that I lost him,” I explain, a lump forming in my throat. “Besides, it happened so soon after Mom and Dad died. I couldn’t do that to you.”
She’s quiet for a moment. “I wasn’t born yesterday, you know.”
I turn my head, taking in her side profile. The makeup on her face, even this early in the morning, the huge, flashy earrings, but mostly the defiant jut of her chin, which tells me everything I need to know before I even have to ask. But I do anyway. “What do you mean?”
“Connie boy,” she breathes out, turning to look at me. “I’ve known about the two of you. I knew you had gotten a divorce.”
Hearing her say the words sends a pang to my chest. “How did you know?”
She chuckles. “You aren’t exactly the best liar, sweetie. Every single time we spoke, you told me Whit was at work. I know damn well the boy doesn’t work that much.”
Looking back out into the yard, I scrub a hand over the scruff of my jaw. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
“I was hoping you two would figure your stuff out and find your way back together before I had to.” She hums. “But it would seem you’re both more stubborn than I thought.”
“So, you coming here was an elaborate plan to bring us back together?”
“Of course not,” she hisses. “I missed my boys. It had been far too long since my last visit, but I knew by coming, it would either force you to finally admit it to me or it would bring you two together.”
“I don’t remember you being so sneaky, Nana,” I say, turning my head to look at her. She’s smiling as her gaze meets mine. A proud smile.
“It’s because I’m good at it,” she offers. “Unlike you.”
My chest rumbles with a laugh.
“You know,” I start, wanting to bring up something I’ve thought a lot about lately. “If you ever decided to move back to Copper Lake, you’d always have a home here.”
Her eyes soften as they look up at me. “What makes you say that?”
“Maybe you’re not as sneaky as you think.” I chuckle. “I just have happened to notice that you still haven’t made plans to fly home, and you purposely chose a one-way, which I know isn’t even the cheaper option despite you telling me it was. Now, of course, the choice is up to you. I just wanted you to know that you’d always have a home on the ranch, should you be maybe considering staying.”
Quiet for a moment, Nana gazes out into the yard, but I can practically hear her thoughts from here. “I have thought about it,” she says. “I’ve enjoyed every minute of traveling that I’ve done, and living in Greece the past several years has been incredible. It’s helped me feel close to your grandfather. But I think it’s time I settle down with my family.” She pauses, wringing her hands together in her lap. “But I would never want to impose.”
“You could never impose,” I tell her.
“Well, with you and Whit just getting back together?—”
“I’m going to stop you right there,” I murmur. “I can safely speak for both of us when I say that you are always welcome here. You have a home here no matter what.”
“Connie’s right,” Whit says, walking through the backdoor. “Sorry, I’m not trying to eavesdrop, but I heard the last part of that, and he’s one hundred percent right. Besides, having you permanently in town would be a blessing. Who else is going to gang up on this grump with me?”
Chuckling, she stands up, placing a hand on his arm. “Thank you, dear. That means a lot to me.” Glancing back at me with a glint in her eye, she says, “I’ll leave you two alone. I’m going to lie down for a nap. Didn’t get much sleep last night.”
Whit barks out a laugh as I pinch the bridge of my nose and sigh. “I could’ve gone the rest of my life without knowing that, Nana.”
“Oh, get used to it, Connie,” she calls out before disappearing inside.
Finding my gaze, Whit smiles before saying, “They’re doing it.”
“Goddamnit,” I hiss, shaking my head as he drops onto the swing beside me.
“Can we talk?” he asks as he rests his back against the arm of the swing and spreads his legs over my lap.
Arching a brow, I murmur, “Breaking up with me already?”
Shoving my arm, Whit rolls his eyes. “No, but I do think we should discuss a few things.”
“Okay.” My hands find his foot, massaging the sole gently. “I’m listening.”
Whit takes a minute, dragging in a deep breath like he’s gathering his thoughts. “I think we should take things slow.”
My brows pinch. “I don’t think what we did last night, or in the barn, or the office, is considered slow, dear.”
Breathing out a laugh, he says, “That’s not what I mean.” His hands are in his lap, gaze turned downward, as he picks at the skin around his thumbnail. “I don’t think we should pick up where we left off. I think it would be smart if we treated this like a new relationship because we aren’t the same people who were married back then.”
“What do you have in mind?” I ask, then switch to his other foot.
“Dating,” he offers, a small smile peeking through as his eyes lift, meeting mine. “We should go on dates, spend quality time together. But most of all…” His gaze drops to his lap again like this next part is the one he’s most anxious about. My heart thumps harder as I wait. “I don’t think I should move back in right away.”
My pulse jumps. “Whit.”
“I know,” he says. “I know you’re not going to like this part, but I think it’s important. Building a solid foundation for the new us before we get all domesticated. I’m not saying I’ll never sleep over here, but I think easing into this is the smartest move.”
He’s right, I don’t like it. At all. But I can see where he’s coming from. “Okay, that’s fair. Anything else?”
Whit winces. “One thing.”
“Let’s hear it,” I deadpan.
“I think couple’s therapy would be good for us.” He must assume I’m going to protest because he immediately holds up his hands. “Now, hear me out. It doesn’t have to be something we do frequently, but I do think checking in with each other in that setting every couple of months would be good. And I’m not even saying we have to stick with it forever, but at least while we find our bearings as a couple again.”
Squeezing his foot, I gaze at him, love flowing through me as I take in my man. “I will do anything you ask me to, baby,” I tell him. “I’m yours, and I’m never going to do anything to lose you again. If that’s what you want, then I’ll be there.”
His eyes well with moisture. “Really?”
“Really.” I nod. “I’m in this for life with you, Whit. I’ll go as fast or as slow as you need, but I’ll always be here.”
“Thank you.” His voice cracks as a tear falls down his cheek.
Leaning over, I wipe the tear away with my thumb before pressing a kiss to his lips. “I love you, Whit.”
“I love you, Connie.”
We spend the rest of the morning curled up together on this porch swing, and I don’t remember the last time I felt this content. This is everything I’ve wished for, for years, and now that it’s here, it almost doesn’t feel real. Everything we’ve been through has led us to this, and I couldn’t be happier about what’s to come.