But he never let me go as his name became a worshipful sigh. Only after I melted around him did he follow me, his breath on my neck and lips murmuring my name.
We fell into an exhausted heap, sweaty and spent.
“Sir,” I said on a purr. “You can ravish me after a fight any time.”
He chuckled against my shoulder. “This time it wasn’t us fighting.”
I trailed my calf along his hair roughened thigh. “No, we were not.” I pushed his wild hair out of his face. “Are you really okay?”
He turned his face into my hand. “I really am.”
“Okay, good, because we need to get up.” I pushed at him until we untangled.
“Good thing I love you because this energy you have after wiping my brain clean is just cruel.”
I grinned. “All the endorphins and happy sparkles under my skin get me revved.”
He gave me a hard kiss. “My golden goddess.”
“I can get used to that nickname.” I rolled off him and yelped when he slapped my ass.
I loved this side of him. Where the shadows weren’t quite so prevalent anymore. I yelped as he lifted me off my feet and hauled me into the bathroom.
By the time he was done with me in the shower, we were not even remotely on time for my brother’s party.
I rushed around, gathering all the cookies and pastries I’d made at Dutch’s house. We made a pitstop at my house where I swapped my baking clothes for a sundress with a sweater for later. Spring in Haven meant two whole seasons in one day, sometimes three.
“We really have to figure out a better system with our houses.” I said as I rushed back to his truck with my arms full of plastic bins stuffed with my brother’s favorite thumbprint cookies and brookies.
He draped his arm across the seat, pushing Mouse out of the way as he tried to get a sniff of the food.
“I was actually thinking about that.”
I stacked the Tupperware behind the seat and gave Mouse a kiss on his nose before I climbed in. “Is that right?”
“I extended the rental on the cottage.”
“Yeah?” I did a little clap. “That means you’re sticking around?”
He leaned over and kissed me softly. “What do you think about expanding your house? I asked about the land on the other side of you but I found out it’s not available. But maybe we can build up.”
I smiled. “It’s not available because I own it.”
His eyes widened as he sat back. “Really?”
I nodded. “My great-aunt left me over three acres.”
“That’s amazing.”
I leaned across the dog and the console. “You want to build a house with me?”
“I want to build a life with you.”
My heart stuttered and I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face as he put the truck in drive. I wasn’t sure I could hold all the happiness inside me as we got closer to my parents’ house. The driveway and street were full of cars and trucks. My sister’s muddy Jeep was in the driveway, thank goodness. It was always easier to deal with a family gathering when my sister was around.
We loaded all the trays and tubs into a rolling bag I kept for transporting the sassy glass and wooden signs I sold on the side. When we got to the grass, Dutch used all those rowing muscles to carry it around the back. The sun was shining and there was no sign of rain for once.
Mouse was pulling a little at his leash; he wasn’t used to wearing one.“My family can be a bit much.”
