Page 41 of Fools in Love

For today, he could at least enjoy being with Kate and not act as if there was certain doom hanging over his head.

He rolled over slowly and rained soft kisses all over her to wake her up. She arched into him and suddenly, he knew exactly what he wanted to do all day with her. Not one single idea involved leaving the bed.

“Mmm,” she moaned, and when he trailed his fingers over her warm skin, she arched into his touch.

“Kate?” he whispered against her neck.

“Tom,” she sighed, wrapping her legs around him.

He slid a finger into her heat and had her arching even more into his hand. God, she felt like heaven. Warm, soft, welcoming. He leaned down and dipped his head until he could take her nipple into his mouth, sucking, lapping at her skin as if his life depended on it. Which, at this point, it felt like it did.

Rolling slightly, he covered her, her thighs spreading wide to welcome him. When he slid into her, her eyes opened and focused on him. Her smile grew as he started to move slowly. She reached around and dug her nails into his sides.

He could see the pleasure in her gaze, feel it in the way she moved under him. He’d believed, foolishly, that last night, he’d gotten his fix. That somehow he wouldn’t want her as much as he had. But instead, his desire for her had grown. It was now a beast that he wasn’t able to control. Soon, if he didn’t regulate it, his desire for her would consume him completely, overcome even his basic desires for life.

“Tom.” Kate’s fingers burrowed into his hair, pulling him down until their lips met. He poured everything he was feeling into the kiss as he continued to move over her, inside her. Her legs tightened around his hips, and by the soft sounds she was making, he could tell she was close. So close. He knew he had to wait until he felt her convulse around him, counted the seconds, the heartbeats, until she cried out his name. Only then did he allow himself to follow her. By then, he’d given her everything he was. He’d promised in his head and heart that he would spend the rest of his life building her up and that he’d be the one there, catching her.

“What do you want to do today?” Kate asked after they had showered together. Of course, there had been a repeat of what they’d done earlier. Due to her injury, they had used the long tile bench in his shower.

Her hair was still damp, and she’d pulled on her swimsuit from the day before, a pair of cut-off shorts, and a new tank top, different than the one she’d worn on the boat.

“I had high hopes of spending the day in bed with you, but since we need to eat…” He watched her smile. “How about we head down to your aunt’s bakery for some sugar, then take a stroll. If your leg is up for it.”

“That sounds wonderful. I promised Riley I’d stop in Classy and Sassy. She’s holding a few things for me.” Kate wrapped her arms around him. “Besides, I’d like to show the town that you’re taken.”

He chuckled. “I doubt the town cares that much about my love life.”

“Oh?” Kate’s eyebrows shot up. “You’d be surprised. I think you being single since moving here would be a hot topic.”

He frowned slightly. “I’ve never heard…” Kate’s chuckle stopped him.

“One simply doesn’t gossip in front of the subject matter,” she said in a hushed tone. “It isn’t civilized.”

He smiled. “Okay, so the town talks. I get it. I have lived here for three years.”

“Then you know exactly why I intend to parade around town, holding hands, and displaying as much PDA as possible to squash any doubt.” Kate leaned up and brushed her lips across his.

“If you’re sure,” he said with a sigh as his hands moved to her hips. He could already feel himself burning for her again, but he knew they needed food first.

Kate leaned back and ran her eyes over him. “If you are.”

He thought about the previous day and night, about that morning. There was no way he was near done with her. He wanted a million more days and nights just like it. “I’m very sure,” he said, sounding a little too eager.

Still, Kate’s smile grew. “Good, then, shall we?” She took his hand.

Since he was concerned about her leg, they walked slowly down the street to Sara’s Nook. The bakery was still packed at this time of morning, so they waited in line to order and then for a spot to sit. It didn’t take long, as someone willingly gave up their seat for Kate, who was using her cane.

“I think everyone in town knows about us now,” Kate whispered over her coffee.

He smiled and took her hand in his, then lifted it and placed a kiss across her knuckles. There was a few sighs and oohs that filled the space, making them both smile.

“If they had any doubt, they don’t anymore,” she added.

He couldn’t explain how it made him feel that she wanted everyone to know about them. It was almost a branding moment. He’d never had that in his life before. Someone who didn’t just want to be with him but wanted everyone else to know.

Halfway through their meal, Nick walked in and pulled up a chair at their table.

“How’d your sail go yesterday?” Nick asked them.