He placed a hand on either side of my head and brought my lips to his in a deep kiss. A kiss that I felt into my core that made me question what would be so bad about having sex in a public place.Down, Maggie, I told myself.
Pulling away, he looked at me. “Okay, princess. I hear you. I don’t know what it would be like to grow up in your shoes. I only know what it was like to grow up in mine. I feel like I should tell you that never, not for one minute, did my family ever pity you or look down on you, but I think you know that. Also, I feel like it’s important to say there are assholes in the world that will talk about you, but I do think there is more good than bad in towns like Highland.”
“I know, Sully.”
“Nope, not done, babe. Finally beyond wanting to grab you and kiss you senseless in front of whoever those bitches were in the bathroom, I just want to say that you are worthy. You are worthy of all that is good in this world. But I also know I will never be able to convince you of that. Only you can. So, what I want you to know is that I’ll be here. I’m here for you, waiting, and will gladly help you any way I can.” His fingers ran through my hair, pulling some over my shoulders as he played with the ends.
I raised a brow to him. “Any way you can?”
“Any way, including loads of orgasms if you think that it would help,” he said with a devilish grin.
“God knows it can’t hurt,” I replied.
“Well, let’s go see if your dad is done with his evaluation and ready to head to Irene’s. Then we can hit the road. We can be home in time for dinner, and I can get to work on that for you,” he replied, sliding me off his lap and beginning to tug me away from the lake.
Laughing, I tugged his hand. “Sounds good, but I have one request.”
Glancing over his shoulder, his smile blinded me. “What’s that?”
“Food,” I said simply.
“Italian beef? Cheese fries?” he asked, heading toward the road.
“Absolutely,” I said. “Let’s go.”
30
Appointment Surprises
Sully
The past few days had been crazy as hell. We’d returned from Chicago after Tom had been released. Maggie had told Tom that there was no reason for us to hurry back to Highland, but Tom had pointed out that Irene had everything under control. While I would have been fine staying, I’d also been anxious to check in with Jake, make sure that everything at the brewery had been moving along according to plan.
I looked out the windows into my backyard. The cornfields waved in the late summer breeze. I knew people loved their ocean views, but my ocean of corn and beans gave me a deep sense of relaxation like no other. Standing there, my hips propped against the counter, drinking coffee, I was filled with gratitude for all I’d been given.
The sound of Ranger’s nails against the floor gave warning to his and Maggie’s arrival. My girl was still half asleep when she showed up in the kitchen with my pup, her long hair tumbling over her shoulders. Her favorite sleep shorts and tank now didn’t fit as they used to, the tank rode up a bit on her belly while the shorts were starting to slide below. I could just visualize what she’d look like in a few months, how gorgeous she’d be. Fuck, I didn’t want to pressure her, but the thought of her waking somewhere I wasn’t absolutely killed me.
Maggie came straight to me, sliding her arms around my waist and ducking her head into my chest. “Morning,” she mumbled.
Leaning down, I lightly kissed the top of her head. “Morning, princess. Tea?”
I felt her head nod against me. “Peppermint,” she murmured.
I leaned over and flipped the switch on the electric kettle that I’d already filled up with water when I was making my coffee earlier. Settling back with her in my arms, I continued to look out the window, mentally planning out our day.
“Oh.” Maggie had a swift intake of breath.
Glancing down, I saw that her hand was on her belly.
“Everything okay?” I asked.
Maggie looked thoughtful for a moment, then she grinned as she looked up at me. “I’ve been feeling these weird sensations for about a week, but I thought it was indigestion.”
I raised a brow, but my grin started to spread across my face as I realized what she was talking about. “But…”
Taking my hand, she settled it on her belly under hers. “But I think it’s our bean moving.”
Leaning down, I brushed a kiss across her cheek. “Not sure I’ll be able to feel it yet, babe, but that’s cool.”
