by Kacey Shea
Jude holds my body, continuing to thrust inside. “Fuck, yes,” he groans, following me over the edge. His body shudders with mine. His hands dig into my flesh so hard, I bet they’ll leave marks.
I fall forward, capturing his lips for a kiss. One that says thank you, and I’m so glad he’s here with me. “I’ll be right back.” I push off his body and scoot toward the bathroom. “Don’t move.”
He chuckles, arranging a few of the pillows and scooting on the bed to lay back. “Wasn’t planning on it.”
I use the restroom and hurry back to join him on the bed. I can’t help but smile with my heart happy and body satisfied. I slide in next to him, resting on my side and propping my head on my hand to study his expression. “Hey.”
“Hey.” He slides an arm around my waist to tug me closer. His body is warm, inviting, and the only place I want to be.
My fingers crawl up his chest, and I reach up to stroke along the thick hair on his jawline. “I like this.” It’s as if he hasn’t shaved once since I saw him last. My heart squeezes with the understanding I’ve caused him pain all these weeks apart. At the same time, I needed the space to decide to forgive him for lying. It brought us to this moment.
“Yeah? Maybe I’ll keep it.” He presses a chaste kiss to my lips. “Maybe I’ll keep you.”
“Maybe?” I tease.
His gaze grows somber. “I never want to go another day without you.”
I swallow at the intensity of his stare. Neither do I. “You don’t have to.”
“Move back in with me?”
“You don’t think it’s too fast?” I don’t want him offering because it’s the way things were, or out of obligation. “That we should take it slow?”
“Nothing between us has been slow.” He laughs gently, and rubs his thumb along my brow. “You captured my attention from the very first scowl.”
“Now you’re making me feel bad.” My eyebrows pinch together, remembering how I felt that first day. I was wary of a stranger, and exasperated with my predicament, but from the second my eyes took him in, the attraction was undeniable. “I had a lot going on that day. Sorry, jumping your bones wasn’t high on my priority list.”
His chin tips back and his chest shakes with laughter. “Just another reason I fell in love with you.”
“You’re serious about moving in together?”
“I’m serious about everything.” There’s something in the heat of his gaze and tone of his voice that steals my breath.
“Everything?”
He scoots back to sit against the headboard, dragging me with him so I sit on his lap. His hands frame my face, holding my gaze to his. It’s not needed, though. Nothing could make me look away. “Rachel. Would you do me the honor of becoming my partner for life?”
Time stops. Freezes. A burst of joy blooms in my chest, and my entire body tingles with excitement. “You want to get married?”
“I want to get married.”
The idea should come as a shock, or worry, but instead it settles around my heart, wrapping around me like a warm blanket. Maybe it’s crazy. It’s most definitely rash. But my answer comes without hesitation. “Yes.”
“Yeah?” His eyes widen with surprise and practically twinkle, the golden flecks amongst the brown catching the light. His smile broadens and he tugs me closer, his mouth crushing mine for a searing kiss. A promise. A commitment. “You sure you don’t need more time? I’ll wait as long as it takes.”
“I want this.” I kiss his lips. Drop my next one to his neck. The next along his shoulder. I glance up from under my lashes and grin. “Worried I’ll accuse you of playing dirty?”
His palms rub up and down my body, his gaze hot on mine as he watches me press kisses over his skin. “I want you to be sure. I’m not trying to con you into a deal you don’t want. I’m not easy to love sometimes. I get obsessed with work. I don’t know how to ask for help. I’m bossy. I shut people out when I’m hurt.”
“Don’t.” I sit up straight and press a finger to his lips. “I love everything that makes you, you. You’re generous. You’re kind. You’re strong, even when you’re hurting. And you love me completely. I’m all in.” I capture his lips with mine. Each stroke of my tongue seals the promise of my love. Each breath we share is filled with hope. Tender caresses become a commitment to cherish each other.
We just made love, but it doesn’t matter. I want him again. I will always want him. My breath comes shorter, my pulse racing with desire. My body aches to feel him inside me. My clit begs for stimulation, and I wiggle on his lap. I can’t help myself.
He growls, and in the next breath flips my back to the mattress. Him crawling over me. His grin is as devious as it is sincere. “Look who’s the dirty dealer now?”
“Only for you,” I whisper, because it’s the truth. My heart, body, and soul belong to this man. It doesn’t matter we’ve only known each other this small fraction of a lifetime. I’ll always be his, and he’s mine. We belong together. I’m excited for what the future holds, and I’m willing to fight for us. To put in the work.
After moving to California I worried about a man getting in the way of my dreams. It took time apart to realize I didn’t have to pick one over the other. We all need a little help sometimes. Being vulnerable enough to trust again brought this man into my world. No matter what life throws, we’ll deal with it together and come out stronger.
My bet is on us.
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Also by Kacey Shea
Sports Romance
The Perfect Comeback
Firefighters
Caught in the Flames
One Hot Night
Caught in the Lies
Caught in the Chase
Rock Stars
Detour
Derail
Hinder
Replay
Uncovering Love Series
Uncovering Love
Uncovering Desire
Uncovering Hope
Uncovering Forever
About the Author
Kacey Shea is a USA Today bestselling author of steamy contemporary romance. She enjoys writing strong and smart heroines, heroes with hearts of gold, and stories that deliver a satisfying, well-earned happily ever after.
When she's not writing you will find her playing Uber to one of her three children, drinking iced tea by the gallon, or planning her next escape from the Arizona heat.
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