I’m not. It’s as simple as that. I’m going to follow her around like a puppy for the rest of my life, and I’ll happily take whatever scraps she’s willing to throw my way.
She must be using her female voodoo mind to read my thoughts, because she tightens her arms around me as though she, too, is afraid she won’t be able to let go.
“I miss you.” Her warm breath fans my neck. Without letting me go, she reaches up and wipes her face. “I miss touching you and kissing you. I miss cuddling up next to you at night and feeling the warmth of your body in the morning. I miss the way you’d stop what you were doing to quiz me. I just miss you. I miss everything about you.”
“Adley.” Pressing my face against her hair, I breathe in her vanilla scent. “I’m not going anywhere, I promise. I will always be here for you. Always.”
Shaking her head, she steps back. “You don’t understand.”
I’m forced to let her go, and when my arms fall from her body, she catches my hand.
“Then explain it to me, baby. Tell me what you need—what you want—and I’ll give it to you.”
“You.” Her bright eyes shine up at me, and with that one word, she steals the breath from my lungs. “I want you, and I need you.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying I love you. I love you, Lincoln, and I never should’ve pushed you away. I shouldn’t have challenged you to prove your love to me. I know you love me. I knew it the second the words left your mouth, but I’d just found out I was pregnant, and I was terrified. And I’d heard you say all those horrible things to your dad, so all I could think about was protecting myself and the baby. And then I wanted to make sure you were sure, not just reacting to me the way you’d reacted with your dad, and…” She sucks in a breath and blows it out. “Can you forgive me?”
Is she crazy? She has nothing to apologize for. “There’s nothing to forgive.” Wrapping her beautiful face in my hands, I rest my forehead against hers. “I’m the one who needs forgiveness.”
She’s shaking her head before I get the words out. “No. You tried to tell me you didn’t mean it. You tried to explain yourself, but I was being stubborn, and I pushed you away out of fear when I should’ve been holding you close. I held you at arm’s length because—”
I touch a finger to her lips. “You don’t have to explain yourself, sweetheart. I know how it sounded, and you were right to push me away. We were both wrong. I think this is one of those moments when we’re just going to have to forgive each other and move on.”
“I think we can do that.”
We hold each other for several minutes, and the need to reassure her of something grows with each passing second. Or maybe I need to reassure myself.
“I swear to you that I will never turn into my parents. I will never treat you or our kids the way my parents treated each other and Chloe and me.”
“You think I was worried about that?” Adley shakes her head and looks at me thoughtfully. “You are not your parents, Lincoln.”
“I know. I know that now, but…” I shake my head, not wanting to go back to that place.
“Lincoln, you are the most wonderful, caring man I have ever met. You will never turn into your parents because you’re everything they aren’t.”
“I’ll never let you down again. I will never hurt you.”
“I know you won’t. And I won’t let you down. You tried to apologize and tell me how you felt, but I shut you out. I wouldn’t listen, and I regret that more than anything. By the time I got over myself, I’d already issued a challenge, and I didn’t know how to tell you I’d made a mistake. Plus, I wanted you to be sure. If you were going to change your mind… I waited for you to do something, but you didn’t. And then there you were at my parents’, and you looked happy—happier than I’ve seen you in a long time—and I wasn’t a part of that and—”
“You were the reason for that, Adley. Don’t you see? You were the reason I was there. You were the reason I started looking at life differently. You’re the reason I put my house on the market.”
“You what?”
“I’m selling my house. That’s why I was on the phone when we first got here. I was supposed to meet with the realtor, and I needed to reschedule.”
I’m still stuck on the selling part. “Why are you selling your house? Your whole life is in Houston. Your dad, Chloe, your friends—”
“But you’re here. And they aren’t my whole life—a big chunk of it, yes, but you’re my whole life. You told me to prove it, and that’s what I’m doing. I’m going to have to go back to Houston a few nights a week for a while to check on Dad. And then from time to time after that. He’s sort of growing on me. Surprisingly enough, I like hanging out with the dude. He isn’t so bad when he’s sober….”
Adley laughs. “I can go with you.”
“I’d like that a lot.”
“Move in with me,” she says, hope blooming in her eyes. “This can be our first home. We can save up, and one of these days we’ll buy our forever home.”
“Are you ready to take that step?”
“I’ve never been more ready for anything in my life.”
I pull Adley in for a kiss. She sighs against my mouth, and everything about this moment feels perfect.
“You breathed life back into my world,” I tell her. “You brought color to the darkness. You. And I’m never letting you go again.”
“Please don’t. I was so afraid you’d moved on, that you’d taken two weeks and realized how much better off you were without me. I was scared I’d missed my chance. I had no idea how I was going to watch you be a part of our son or daughter’s life, but not a part of mine.”
“You don’t ever have to worry about that. You and me…we created this.” I press my hand to her belly. “I was never going to let you go. I was just giving you space because I thought it was what you wanted. Trust me, I was plotting against you.”
“Oh yeah?” She laughs and gives me the slightest hint of a smile.
“Yeah.” Brushing a stray hair out of her face, I tuck it behind her ear. “I was prepared to pull out the big guns. If moving here didn’t work, I was prepared to charm you and woo you until you had no choice but to fall in love with me again.”
“There is no again, because I never fell out of love with you. In fact, every time you smile or laugh or do something sweet—like paint the baby’s room—I fall more in love with you. My love for you consumes me. You’re all I think about, all I dream about. I just want to be yours again, Lincoln.”
“You are mine, Adley, and I am yours. Forever.”
Forever never sounded so good.
“Will you kiss me now?”
“There’s nothing in this world I would rather do than kiss you.” With her porcelain skin cradled in the palm of my hand, I lower my mouth to hers. Her brown eyes stay locked on mine until our lips touch, and then they flutter closed.
Home.
33
Lincoln
“I need you.” Adley reaches for my shirt, pulling it over my head.
I stop her when she goes for the pants. It’s been two long, lonely weeks, and no way am I letting her rush through this.
Lifting her into my arms, I carry her to her bedroom and set her on her feet. Tonight, I don’t need to sit down and plot ways to get her back. I don’t need to crunch numbers and figure out where I’m going to live. Because tonight, I’ve got the girl. And tonight, I’m going to worship her and show her how much I love her.
“Arms up.”
Lifting her arms, Adley allows me to pull her sleep shirt over her head. Her hair is still wet from her shower, and when it falls against her back, she shivers.
“Are you cold?”
Biting her lip, she shakes her head. I don’t need her to say more, because I get it. It’s the adrenaline, the excitement of us coming together. I feel the same the way. Pushing my jeans and boxers off, I kick them to the side.
“Can you get on the bed f
or me?”
She situates herself, and with a knee on the bed, I reach for her panties. Adley lifts her hips, allowing me to pull them off.
“You’re an angel,” I say, admiring her perfect body laid out in front of me.
I crawl across the bed, and when Adley drops her knees apart, I settle myself between her legs. With soft sweeps of my lips, I kiss my way up each thigh until I reach her stomach. My lips linger on her lower belly, and I imagine our baby inside there…growing.
Adley’s fingers dip into my hair, and when I look up, her eyes are shining.
“You’re giving me the most precious gift.”
“We’re giving each other the most precious gift,” she chokes out.
Lowering my head, I kiss just below her belly button. “Hey, little one. I’m your dad.”
Adley starts to cry, but I know they’re happy tears, so I don’t get too worried.
“I’m going to take care of you and love you and your mommy so much. I promise to be the best dad this world has ever seen.”
“Lincoln,” Adley cries, pushing herself up on her elbows.
“Yes, sweetheart?”
“I need you.”
Pushing up, I hover over her body and align my cock at her entrance. In one gentle thrust, I’m seated inside of her. Adley rocks her hips as tears drip down her temples and disappear into the pillow.
I try my best to wipe them away, but it’s useless. They keep falling, and I know it’s because this moment is too great for words. Lowering myself, I bury my face in her neck. I kiss her neck, her ear, her throat, then I find her lips.
She moans my name over and over, her husky voice fueling my movements. “Lincoln!”
When I look into her eyes, I see my future. I see everything I could ever want. We’ve made it through a rough patch, and even though I’m sure there will be more along the way, I know we’ll make it. Because we’re strong and our love is genuine, and because I’m never letting her go again.
We take our time, worshiping, devouring, and savoring each other.
Adley rocks her hips forward, taking me deeper. It feels so good. It’s intense and warm. It’s everything. Lifting her knees to her chest, Adley holds her legs apart for me. With my hands on either side of her head, and her body pinned beneath me, I pump into her over and over.
Her gasps and moans grow louder, and when her body tightens around mine, I know she’s only seconds away from exploding. And it’s a damn good thing, because I’m not going to last.
“Next time I’ll go slow, baby, but not this time.”
“Please,” she moans. “Fuck me.”
Desire flows through my veins, and what little control I had snaps. My hips slam against hers, and in seconds, she cries out, chanting my name like I just won the goddamn Super Bowl.
And that’s exactly how I feel. I tackled love, and I won.
I pump harder, giving her time to ride out her orgasm, and then a spark of pleasure shoots up my spine. Gripping her ass, I lift it, bury myself, and come inside the woman I love—the woman I’m going to spend the rest of my life with.
Adley wraps her arms around me, and I collapse on top of her, wondering how I got so damn lucky. I roll over and tuck her against my side. With one arm draped across my stomach, she curls herself in the crook of my arm and looks at me. Her eyes are woozy, cheeks rosy, and she’s glowing.
“Now what?”
I brush the sweaty hair from her face. “Now we’re going to catch our breath, and then we’re going to do that again, only slower. After that I’m going to feed you, and if you’re up for it, I’ll take you again. We have a lot of time to make up for.”
“I’m up for it,” she says, grinning from ear to ear.
“And then, we’re going to go to sleep, because you need to rest.”
“Will I wake up with your face between my legs?”
My sweet Adley is such a dirty girl. “I think we can make that happen.”
“And then what?”
“And then we’ll go tell your parents about us.”
“I think my mom already knows.”
“Good. That means we’ll only have to tell Sawyer, and your dad loves me.”
Adley presses a kiss to the center of my chest. “My whole family loves you. I love you.”
“Oh yeah?”
She nods and climbs on top of me. My cum is dripping out of her, and I’ll be damned if that isn’t the most erotic thing I’ve ever seen.
I wrap my hands around her hips and guide her over my cock. “Show me how much.”
“We might be here for a while,” she croons.
“I’ve got forever.”
34
Adley
One month later
Mo hands each of us a spoon and puts the carton of ice cream in the middle of the table in my parents’ kitchen. “You passed your boards, and you and Linc are officially a couple. I’m so happy for you.”
“Thank you,” I say, scooping out a small bite. “It’s crazy how love works, isn’t it? You have no idea it’s coming, and then bam!”
Mo nods. “Love is crazy.”
“Definitely crazy,” Claire agrees.
“And sexy.” Mo waggles her eyebrows.
“And don’t forget hot,” Claire adds.
I shove another bite of ice cream in my mouth and frown. “Really?” I mumble. “Because I was thinking it’s stupid. Look at the stupid shit Lincoln and I put each other through to get where we are. If my life were a book, it would be called Crazy, Stupid Love.”
“What would your book be called, Tess?”
Tess stares at her glass of wine as if it holds all of life’s answers. “I don’t think I’m getting a book.”
We all answer in unison.
“What?”
“Yes, you are.”
“You’re absolutely getting a book.”
Smiling, she shakes her head. “It probably won’t be sexy or hot—”
“And you sure as hell don’t want it to be stupid.” I shovel another bite of ice cream in my mouth, completely unashamed because I’m eating for two, which means double everything.
“Maybe it’ll be beautiful,” Mo suggests, watching Tess carefully. “Because if anyone deserves a crazy, beautiful love, it’s you.”
“You think?” she asks.
I place a hand on her knee. “We know.”
“There you guys are.” We all turn to see Chloe walk through the patio door with Abby by her side. “We’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
“Really?” Abby scowls. “You’re having an ice cream party without us?”
“We’re sorry.” Mo grabs two more spoons and holds them out.”
“You’re forgiven,” Abby says, going in for the kill.
“What were you girls talking about when we walked in?” Chloe asks.
“Love,” I croon.
“Ugh.” Abby turns her nose up. “Count me out.”
“No, this is fun,” Mo promises. “We were just talking about what our love story would be called. I’m Crazy, Sexy Love, because, well, Rhett and I have a super sexy love.”
I shake my head and take another bite. “TMI.”
“And Trevor and I would be Crazy, Hot Love because he’s super hot and…” She looks around, and I decide to help her out.
“And because he’s a firefighter. Fire is hot.”
“Yes!” She holds up a hand, and I slap it. “This is why I like you.”
“What about yours?” Chloe asks. “What are you and Linc?”
“Oh, we’re definitely stupid because we actually thought we could keep things casual and not fall in love. So, we’re Crazy, Stupid Love.”
“Okay, fine, I’ll play along.” Abby thinks about it for a second and then says, “Crazy, Perfect Love.”
“Why perfect?” Mo asks. “Love is rarely perfect.”
“Because Abby is OCD,” I answer. “If it isn’t perfect, she won’t have any part of it.”
“That’s not
entirely true,” Abby says. “You’re not perfect, and I love you.”
“Hey,” I scoff. “I resent that.”
We all laugh, and then I clear my throat. “Abby, yours is probably going to be Crazy, Imperfect Love. Because I think you need an imperfectly perfect man to come along and mess up your perfectly imperfect life.”
“That’s too many perfects and imperfects for me,” Chloe says.
“What would your book be, Chloe?” Tess asks.
“I don’t need a book. I’ve already fallen in love,” she says.
My eyes widen and scoot a little closer. “It’s Deacon, isn’t it?”
Her eyes light up at the mention of his name, and she nods.
Claire scrunches her brow. “Who is Deacon?”
“Lincoln’s friend.” I shift back to Chloe. “You’re going to tell Lincoln, right? Because take it from me, you don’t want to keep it a secret.”
Claire taps the stem of her spoon against mine. “She’s right. Love is too precious to keep hidden.”
“We’re going to tell him when the time is right.”
“The time is never right. Give me a heads up of when you’re going to do it, and I’ll make sure he’s nice and buttered up first,” I say, wagging my eyebrows.
“Oh jeez.” Chloe dips her spoon back into the ice cream, which is almost gone.
“What the hell are you girls doing inside?”
“Hey, baby.” I turn to Lincoln and wrap an arm around him. “We’re eating ice cream. Want some?”
“No. Your brothers are outside grilling steak. You’re going to ruin your appetite.”
“Meh.” Claire shrugs. “Steak is overrated. Ice cream is happiness.”
“This ice cream is empty.” Lincoln grabs the now-empty tub from the counter and tosses it in the trash. We all groan at him.
“There’s more where that came from, you know,” Claire taunts.
Lincoln lifts a brow. “Trevor just took his shirt off. He’s getting ready to jump in the pool.”
“See ya, girls.”
Claire hightails it out of the kitchen, and Tess is close behind her.
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