Risking It All

by Melissa Stevens

  She tugged at his clothes. All she could think about was his touch, how much she loved it and how she needed more. Next thing she knew they both lay on the bed, exploring each other with their hands and more, discovering which spot of skin made him gasp and which touch made her cry out.

  An hour later she lay wrapped in Thorne’s arms, he’d pulled the blanket up around them and held on to her, making her feel loved, cared for. She lay staring into the darkness wondering what he was thinking. It would be easy to say she got caught up in the moment and things went farther than she’d planned, but it would be a lie.

  This was what she’d had in mind all along. It was what she’d planned when she’d asked her brother to stay with the kids. She’d even told him why. His response? ‘It’s about damn time!’ then he’d asked if he’d have to babysit every time she wanted to get laid. She hadn’t planned on it. The kids were used to Thorne being there when they went to bed, how big of leap would it be if here were there when they got up, at least occasionally?

  She’d have to see how he felt about that.

  “You’re thinking too hard. You’re supposed to be exhausted and fall into a pleasure drugged sleep.”

  Nancy shifted, rolling in Thorne’s arms to face him.

  “Didn’t you know it doesn’t work that way for women? At least not always.”

  “I’d noticed, but it’s been a while and I’d forgotten.”

  “For me too.”

  Thorne shifted onto his back. Nancy curled into his side, resting her head on his shoulder.

  “It energizes you?”

  “I heard a joke once, I don’t know where it came from, that it’s like a power exchange. Men end up exhausted, women want to get up and clean the whole house. I’ve never wanted to do that, but my brain seems to take a while to settle, or it used to and tonight seems to be the same.”

  “So talk to me. Tell me what you’re thinking.”

  “I was thinking I’m gonna want this to happen again. A lot more often than Warren will want to keep the kids overnight.” She took a few breaths, waiting for him to say something. When he didn’t, she continued. “I planned tonight to give me a chance to get over my nerves, but I was hoping you might be willing to stay at my place once in a while.”

  He was quiet for a couple breaths. “I think I’d be okay with that, as long as you think the kids would be okay with it.”

  “Kids are remarkably resilient. They can get used to a lot of things, both things that are good for them and things not so good. They know you. They like you, and they’re used to having you around.” Nancy traced her finger in circles over his chest in the dark. “You’re at the house more evenings than not. They’re even used to going to bed with you there. We can work out details later. If you’d be more comfortable leaving before they get up, I’d understand, but I think they’ll be just fine to have you there in the morning and eating breakfast with us.”

  “You sound like you’re trying to convince me.” Thorne’s hand on her back rubbed up and down. She wasn’t sure why but she found it soothing.

  “Not really. Only let you know I’ve given this a lot of thought.”

  “Nance, I knew you had. You don’t do anything without considering every possibility.” He fell quiet for a long while. Nancy thought he’d fallen asleep. When Thorne spoke again, his voice was soft, as if he didn’t want to wake her. “I want nothing more than to stay with you.”

  She couldn’t help the soft smile that curved her lips, even in the darkness. She wanted to lay like this all night, to bask in the comfort and reassurance of him in bed next to her, but before she realized it, she drifted off to sleep.

  Chapter 22

  Thorne walked with Nancy off the football field toward the parking lot. He couldn’t help but be grateful Warren had kept the kids tonight. Nancy had arranged that. As teachers, they’d been expected to attend graduation. Principal McKeever had insisted that not only did all the teachers have to attend, but he wanted them all on the football field for the ceremony. There had been no choice but to get someone to keep the kids.

  What Nancy didn’t know was Thorne had talked to Warren and asked him if he could keep them all night. Thorne had plans.

  They reached the car. Thorne opened the passenger’s side door for Nancy then waited while she got in before going around the driver’s side.

  “I’m glad Warren agreed to come to the house,” Nancy tilted her head back against the head rest as Thorne backed the car out of the space and joined the line of cars waiting to reach the exit. “The last thing I’d want to do tonight is wake the kids to take them home.”

  “I guess I should tell you now.” Thorne glanced at her before inching the car forward with the rest of the line.

  “Tell me what?” She turned to look at him, a frown causing a crease between her brows.

  “We’re not going back to your place tonight.”

  The crease between her brows deepened.

  “But Warren—”

  “Isn’t expecting us. He and Hayley are spending the night. I talked to him a couple weeks ago, after he agreed to keep the kids for tonight.”

  “But, why?” She shook her head. “Why?” She turned back toward the windshield.

  “It’s been months since they kept them for you like this. For that first time. I wanted to do something special. No worries about imposing, they readily agreed when I told them what I had in mind.”

  Nancy glanced at him from the corner of her eye.

  “Do I even want to ask?”

  “You can if you want. It won’t do you any good. I’ve got it all planned out, but it’s a surprise. You’ll just have to wait and see what I’ve got set up.” They finally reached the exit. He turned out onto the road but traffic wasn’t moving much faster here than it had in the lot.

  A drive that normally took less than twenty minutes took nearly forty-five, but eventually he pulled into the parking lot at his apartment complex.

  “This is your big surprise? You could have just told me.” Nancy didn’t look impressed. That was all right. This wasn’t the main surprise anyway. This was just convenient. He didn’t bother to correct her. She’d find out the real surprise soon enough.

  At his apartment door he unlocked the door and held it open for her. She stepped inside and stopped. Thorne smiled to himself. He’d made a few changes since the last time she’d been here. Over the last few days he’d pushed the furniture to the edges of the room and set up a table in the middle, and set it for an intimate meal for two.

  “What’s this?” She looked from the table to him and back.

  “Part of the surprise.” He waved one hand with a flourish toward the table. “Have a seat, I’ll get our food.” He’d considered having dinner ready, but he knew it would be late getting back, and would likely have already eaten dinner. He couldn’t think of a reason to get her to put off dinner until this late. Instead he’d opted for dessert.

  Thorne escorted her to her seat then went in the small kitchen where he’d already plated the cheesecake, hers with only curls of dark chocolate to decorate it, just the way she preferred it, his with strawberry sauce. He uncovered both plates and carried them in to the table, where he served her with a flourish.

  “What’s this all about?” Nancy watched him with narrowed eyes.

  “We’ll get to that, all in good time. Eat.”

  Nancy picked up a fork and broke off a bite. She closed her eyes and savored the smooth custard.

  “Aren’t you eating?” She pointed her fork at his untouched plate.

  “I will, I was just enjoying your reaction. I take it’s good?”

  “Amazing.” She forked another bite.

  Thorne took a bite this time. The cheesecake was excellent. One of the best he’d ever tasted.

  “Where’d you get it?”

  “Hayley made it.”

  Nancy’s eyes narrowed again.

  “First you get them to keep the kids, now Hayley’s baking for you. You
’re up to something.”

  Thorne didn’t bother to try to look innocent. He didn’t respond either, only kept eating.

  After they’d both finished, Thorne stood. He considered taking their dishes to the sink, but knew it was just another way to delay what he was about to do and decided he’d waited long enough. He pulled the small box he’d been carrying all evening from his pocket and went to one knee in front of Nancy.

  “Nance, I’m not the most eloquent person around, we both know that. But I love you with everything in me. I love your kids like my own. I don’t want to think about living the rest of my life without you or them. I want to wake up every morning next to you, even if that means Jasmine jumping on the bed at four a.m. Or Mason crawling in with us in the middle of the night.” He took a deep breath, opened the box and held it up for her to see. “Please, will you marry me? Will you let me adopt the kids? They can keep Thomas’s name, I don’t want to replace him, only to let them know they are just as much mine. Will you give me everything I’ve been looking for or thought I wanted?”

  Nancy stared at the ring for several seconds. Her eyes filled with shimmering tears before they overflowed and the moisture spilled down her face.

  “Are you sure? Are you sure you want to take on all our craziness?” She lifted her gaze to meet his. “I told you before, I’m not sure I could handle more kids. You may never have one of your own.”

  “I’m sure, and your’s are already mine. If we have more, I’ll be happy. If not, I’ll be happy. I’ll have you, Tommy, Mia, Mason and Jasmine. I’m not sure I could love anyone, even a child of my blood, more than I love the five of you.”

  Tears streamed down her face unchecked. Thorne’s chest tightened as he feared she might say no. Then she nodded, and joy raced through him.

  “Yes. Of course, yes. But I have one condition.”

  “What?” A lump formed in his throat. What if she wanted something he couldn’t do?

  “Move in now. I don’t want to spend another night without you. I’ve had enough time alone. I want every moment I can get with you.” She lifted one hand to cup his cheek. “I don’t know how, but you slipped right past my defenses. I would have sworn I’d never fall in love again after Thomas, but you snuck up on me. Bit by bit you broke down my walls and found my vulnerabilities.” She looked down then back up again. “I’d be happy to marry you. Happier still if we can do it soon.”

  “I think I can manage that.” He lifted the ring from the box and gently slipped it on her finger. It fit perfectly, but then, he’d known it would. He’d checked her size before he’d bought it.

  Ring in place, he leaned close to kiss her.

  “I have some Champagne, just in case you said yes. We can celebrate.”

  “Oh, we’ll celebrate but it’s not alcohol I’m wanting.” She stood and headed toward his bedroom, unbuttoning her blouse as she went. Just before she stepped through the door, she paused and looked back, then slipped her top off and let it fall to the floor seconds before disappearing.

  Thorne wasted no time following her. Together they would face whatever life brought their way. He knew there would be challenges and hard times, but tonight? Tonight was just happiness.

  Thanks for reading Risking It All, A Highland County Heroes book.

  If you’d like to read more about the Highland County Heroes, check out these books:

  Waking Up Cuffed

  Burned by Desire

  Jumping Feet First

  Detonated by Seduction

  Risking It All

  Sign up for my VIP Reader list for an exclusive story, exclusive early releases, updates and as well as news on new releases and giveaways.