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Megan had tried to honor him and the ranch but in a subtle way. Most people would have no idea, but Troy would and so did Hank. He had seen what she had done last night, and the silent smile he had given her was the most approval she could ask for. Now Troy had the same look, and she knew she had hit it out of the park.
“Well, what do you think?”
Troy shook his head and pulled his lip in tight. “I don’t know what to say. I love it. You did it perfectly. He’d love it.”
She stood there holding his hand for a few more moments before he met her eyes, and they walked out together toward the barn to check on the horses.
CHAPTER49
It was so cold that night, which wasn’t uncommon. Another cold snap like the last gasp of a monster before it succumbed to the sweet birdsong of spring.
Megan snuggled closer to Troy on the new couch in front of the fireplace. Her shoulders ached from all of the physical work they had done. Between getting the horses in blankets, mucking out the stalls, adding fresh bedding, and turning on the trough heaters for the first time in a couple of weeks to keep the water from freezing, plus coming back to keep painting one of the rooms, she was bone-tired.
Troy had whipped them both up a quick meal using some pasta from the pantry and a sauce he had made on the fly that tasted divine. After that they had lit the new gas fireplace and settled in to watch a rerun ofThe Officetogether. Megan had only picked up bits and pieces of the episode, drifting off in between the commercials which were too loud.
“Ready for bed?” Troy asked, looking down at her with a smile.
She returned the favor. “Very.”
He turned down the lights while she stumbled over toward Salt and Pepper’s cage, draping the towel over them. Popsicle and Lincoln both had already nestled into their new cat beds under the stairs in a little nook just for them. Megan checked their water and also saw to Leo’s in his new tank near the laundry room toward the back door. With everyone ready for bed, she closed up shop and headed back to their new master bedroom.
The bedroom alone was bigger than her old apartment and newer too. Since this was part of the new addition, everything was completely fresh. Megan couldn’t decide what she loved more—the master bath with the huge glassed-in shower or the huge windows which looked out toward the sunrise, framing the barn perfectly.
She washed her face, brushed teeth, and pulled on her new pajamas for this special occasion. They weren’t fancy, but were new, comfy, and had a little lace around the collar while being perfectly fitted to her, making her feel pretty and feminine.
He walked in the room right on time and took a slow, sweeping look at her. Megan felt a rush of blood and goosebumps with his passing gaze as a satisfied smile spread across his lips.
“You look perfect.”
Megan tried to act coy but felt her cheeks burn. She took a breath, determined not to stutter.
“Come here.”
Troy did as he was told and closed the gap between them, pressing his mouth to hers, while running his hands up and down the curves of her back over the thin, smooth fabric.
Megan did the same, feeling his T-shirt glide under her fingertips.
He broke away and ran a line of kisses down her jaw and right to that spot she loved under her ear, making her rise up on her toes in anticipation of more.
She leaned back and took his hand, pulling him toward the new bed where she had already turned down the comforter. Megan hopped up and reached for the light when his hand stopped her.
“I want to see you.”
Megan blushed again and smiled as he undressed down to his usual T-shirt and underwear before climbing over to her, kissing her into a frenzy until they were both panting for more. The heat between them made her burn with a desire for more.
Megan clawed off her pajamas to give him more access to where she needed him to be before she combusted. She threw them to the side of the room somewhere and propped up on her elbows just as Troy was all over her.
She arched her back to give him better access while raking her hands down his back. Troy was panting, leaving hot kisses down her belly when he suddenly reared up and tugged off his shirt, throwing it somewhere she didn’t see because she was looking at his chest for the first time in the light.
There, all over the sculpted muscles, were the red streaks and misshapen scars marking his upper arms. The right shoulder was the worst.
Without thinking, her hand reached out to touch him, tracing the texture with the barest whisper of a touch.
“Do they hurt you?” she whispered.
He sucked in a breath and closed his eyes at her touch. “Sometimes, but not now.”
Megan leaned forward and brought her lips to the physical scars of all he had been through. She took her time reaching all of them, taking care to pay attention to the sensitive areas. He had been through so much and had been strong for so long.
