“What did you have in mind?” I murmured, tilting my head up for a kiss.
“How about we give that bed of yours, the place I first had you, a proper send-off?” he whispered, causing a delicious shiver to ripple through me, centering between my legs.
“I think that sounds like a plan,” I agreed readily as he helped me up so quickly, it would have been funny had I not shared the same urgency. “But what about Ava? Should she stay with us?” I asked.
He shook his head. “She’s going to stay with Emmie and fly back tomorrow.”
I nodded, knowing she and Emmie had struck up a friendship during Emmie’s time in Bishop.
“What time are you taking off tomorrow?” Pop asked as we were saying goodbye.
“Soon as we get the truck loaded. Tate and Gunner are gonna come by to help.”
“Come on over for a cup of coffee before you head out,” he asked, and I swore he and Ruston shared a look before he continued. “Your mom has a care package for you for the road.” He pulled me in for a hug. “Congratulations, baby,” he murmured. “Happy for you.”
“Thanks, Pop. We’ll see you in the morning.”
“See you in the morning,” he agreed.
“Finally,” Ruston growled as he practically threw me on the bed a short time later. “Waited all night to have you to myself.”
“Now you have me, what are you going to do with me?” I gasped as he tore my jeans and panties down my legs. He whipped his shirt off, revealing all the mouthwatering muscle and smooth skin underneath.
“First, I’m going to devour you,” he ran his tongue along his lower lip, his hands sliding between my legs and spreading them wide, nostrils flaring hungrily as he stared between my thighs. “Then I’m going to fuck you so hard, we might break the bed,” he growled as he tugged me to the edge of the bed, kneeling on the ground and setting out to do exactly what he’d intended.
In the end, we didn’t break the bed.
But it was close.
* * *
When we pulled up to my childhood home the next morning, the truck loaded with the remaining parts of my life I’d be taking with me, for a few quiet moments I stared at the source of so many of my memories. There were the handprints in the corner of the driveway, the front walkway lined with the flowers my mother painstakingly tended to, and my pop’s motorcycle, parked as always along the side of the house.
Ruston took my hand, raising it to his lips for a kiss. “Okay?” he asked quietly.
I turned to look at him. “I really am,” I assured him, despite blinking back tears. “There are so many wonderful memories here.” I smiled as he swept away a tear on my cheek. “I won’t ever lose them. I still get to keep them with me. But now, I get to make new memories with you.”
He smiled tenderly, his hand cupping my cheek. “Well, let’s get to it, ladybug. But first, I think your pop’s gonna come drag you inside if we don’t walk in there.” He chuckled as I turned to look at the house. My father was leaned against the doorway, arms crossed at the chest.
“That’s also a familiar memory,” I muttered with a smile as I slid out of the passenger side.
“Hi, Pop.” I smiled when he tugged me into a hug.
“You get everything packed up?” he wanted to know as he greeted Ruston with a chin lift and we stepped inside.
“Christ, I hope so. Gonna have to build another closet as it is,” Ruston muttered. I elbowed him in the ribs.
He winked at me as my mom walked in from the kitchen and hugged us both. “Are you hungry? Want some coffee?” she asked.
“We ate, but coffee sounds good,” I replied as she threw an arm around my shoulders and we strode together into the kitchen.
“Your brother didn’t come over with you?” she wanted to know as she filled two mugs.
I shook my head. “He said he had some things to take care of.” The truth was that Tatum likely wanted to give us some time together. “But he helped load everything up this morning, and he’s going to come for a visit soon. And on that note, unfortunately we can’t stay long. I have clients tomorrow afternoon,” I explained.
She nodded in understanding, shooting my father a raised brow over her coffee mug. “What?” I asked, getting the distinct impression I was missing something.
“We got you a little going-away present.” She grinned as my pop disappeared into the garage, emerging moments later with a wriggling bundle in his arms.
