She wanted him to know that she felt it. His face close, their eyes locked, she whispered, “That’s fantastic, perfect, really.”
He wasn’t a talker, but she wanted to assure him that she was comfortable.
In response, he increased the pace to long, aggressive strokes. She opened her eyes wide with a huge grin, encouraging him on, and he responded. She held tight as he moved into a final frenzied finish. She shrieked as her first contraction launched his release, and their bodies moved into a tightly synchronized rhythm, her spasms working his pulses, as the natural process played itself out. She kept her legs wrapped around his back to signal she still wanted him inside. She quivered each time he pulsed. She loved the connection with this man.
When the pulses died down, they lay quietly for a long time before she finally released him. He pulled out and rolled onto his back, lying next to her, both still breathing hard, Molly’s heart still pounding. His hand found hers, their sides warm against the other. No words. Two lovers deep in the aftermath. Finally, Molly rolled over as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. He stayed on his back and she moved tight against his side, her head on his shoulder, her breasts tight against his torso, her leg over his. Still no words, only beautiful, warm waves.
“Thank you for being so attentive.”
He said nothing.
“You’re a wonderful lover. I can feel you paying attention. I love that. You’re not in it just for you. You’re in it for us. There’s a huge difference. And I want you to know I can feel that.”
Still nothing. He didn’t like to talk during lovemaking. Maybe not after, either.
She elbowed him, chuckling.
He kissed her, still no words.
“The strong, silent type. I can live with that.”
She felt him chuckle, still no words.
Chapter 8
They cuddled naked on the bed for a half hour before finally getting up and dressing.
“I have a steak and baked potato for dinner. Are you ready for a drink?”
“Sounds great. Do we need check on Bear and Shadow?”
“I’m sure they’re fine.”
“I guess I don’t know what happens with a pregnant dog.”
“She’s not in heat and not interested in sex. If Bear is interested, she’ll discourage him. I don’t think we have anything to worry about.” They were in the kitchen. “Scotch?”
“Perfect.”
She slipped two potatoes in the oven, selected two glasses, a bottle of the Glenfiddich, and led the way outside. It was a warm, late May afternoon. They settled in Adirondacks in the shade with a view of the lake and Canadian Rockies. Bear and Shadow emerged from the woods, trotting over to settle next to them. She poured two fingers in each glass and handed one to him.
“To healthy pups.”
Glasses clinked and they each took a drink of the smooth, aged, single malt Scotch.
“Do you have any idea how many pups there’ll be?”
“Average litter is eight. Not unusual to have more. But I’ll have more information soon. In another two weeks, I’ll take Shadow to the vet I used to work for. She’ll do an ultrasound, and we’ll count pups. Very exciting, and we’ll get a sense on how healthy they are.”
“Okay, then. Have you been in touch with Kitty?”
Molly chuckled. “Yes, she sent Bear’s papers, so we’re all set.”
“Good.”
“You didn’t tell me she was a barrel racer.”
“Oh yeah, she’s a barrel racer.”
