Chapter 8 #3
She glanced down at the ring Luke had given her, struck again by its unique beauty.
That he’d gotten her a ring she would’ve chosen for herself was further proof he was the one for her—as if she needed further proof.
When she’d arrived on the island earlier in the summer after leaving the teaching job she’d once loved, she’d reconnected with Luke, and he’d helped her to put the pieces back together.
His patience and tenderness had been a balm on the open wound on her soul.
She thought of her late husband and children every day, but the memories were becoming easier to bear with the passage of time.
Being with Luke filled her with a sense of peace and tranquility she hadn’t expected to find again after she lost her family.
Her skin heated when memories of the passionate night with Luke played through her mind like an R-rated movie.
Well, most of it was probably X-rated, she thought with a smile.
“What are you all smiles about?” Luke asked as he stepped into the bathroom and handed her a steaming mug of coffee.
“Oh, thank you!” She rewarded him with a lingering kiss. “I have so much to smile about this morning.”
He hugged her from behind and propped his chin on her shoulder. “It’s nice to see you happy.”
Sydney put the mug on the counter and turned to him, resting her hands on his shoulders. “I don’t think I could’ve gotten here without you.”
“Yes, you would have. You were well on your way before we got back together.”
“I was doing okay. I never would’ve gotten past ‘just okay’ without you. Without this.” She went up on tiptoes to kiss him more intently. “Without us.”
“You saved me, too, you know.”
Syd raised a skeptical eyebrow. “How so?”
“I was destined for a life as a cranky loner who coasted through life without experiencing the finer points.”
“And do you feel like you’re experiencing the finer points now?”
He moved his hands from her hips to her breasts, sliding his thumbs back and forth over nipples that responded to him instantly. “The finest of fine points.”
She tossed her head back and laughed, which gave him permission to leave hot, open-mouthed kisses on her neck. “Didn’t you get enough last night?”
“Never enough,” he said as he used his hand on her bottom to better align them so she could feel how much he wanted her.
“You have to go to work, and I’ve got a lighthouse keeper I need to see.”
“You’re really going to let me walk around all day in this condition?” He took her hand and held it against his rigid length. “Is that the kind of wife you plan to be?”
Sydney knew she should have some sort of witty comeback to an outrageous statement like that, but as usual, her brain turned to mush when he touched her. The combination of his fingers playing with her nipple and the pressure of his erection against her hand had her wavering. “What about work?”
“The McCarthys are always reminding me that I own the place.” Sensing her capitulation, he tugged open her robe and sighed with satisfaction when he found her naked underneath. “I get there when I get there.”
“It can’t be healthy to have as much sex as we do.”
Luke laughed at that as he dropped to his knees before her. “It’s extremely healthy. Keeps the stress level nice and low and does wonders for the blood pressure.”
She fisted his hair and tried to stay upright when he squeezed her ass and nuzzled her belly. “My blood pressure is through the roof at the moment, and it’s all gathering in one place.”
“Mine, too, baby.” He hooked her leg over his shoulder and lapped at her core, focusing on all the places that made her come apart, keeping it up until she shattered into a million pieces that only he could put back together.
As she floated down from the incredible high, he scooped her up and carried her into the bedroom.
Freeing himself from the jeans he’d put on for work, he came down on top of her.
Sydney wrapped her legs around his hips, urging him to take what she wanted as much as he did.
“Oh God, Syd,” he whispered as he entered her. “I love you.”
Raising her hips to meet his thrusts, she looked up to find him gazing down at her. “I love you, too.”
“Always,” he said, touching his lips to hers.
“Yes, Luke. Yes.”
They finished together in a burst of light and heat and energy that left her clinging to him, her anchor, her life, her love.
“What’ll you tell Mac and Mr. McCarthy about why you’re late?” she asked after a period of contented silence.
“I’ll tell them something came up,” he said with a dirty grin that made her laugh. “It was well worth the time.” He kissed her once more, running his tongue over her bottom lip. “You’re really going to marry me?”
“I really am.”
“When?”
“As soon as we can.”
“What do you think about a Christmas wedding?”
“Oh,” she said, “I like that. I could use some new memories of Christmas. That’s a tough time of year since the accident.”
“We don’t have to do it then if you’d rather not.”
“No, I think it would be perfect.”
“So it’s a date?” he asked.
She kissed him. “It’s a date.”