Blueprint for Romance

by Shannon M Harris

  “I know you love me and Emma, but what if I told you I wasn’t sure I wanted any more children? I’m not saying I don’t, but we’ve never talked about more children and I think we need to.”

  “Children?” Dylan was talking about more children. That she hadn’t expected, but Dylan was right; it was something they needed to talk about. Children meant a lifelong commitment and, unlike in previous relationships, this time the topic didn’t leave her scared; it made her excited. Dylan wanted a future with her. She’d always known she wanted children and the slight fear she saw in Dylan’s eyes would never do.

  “Yes, children.”

  “Okay.” Kat pecked Dylan on the lips. “I love you and Emma, and yes, I’ve always wanted a big family. I would love to have children with you, but it wasn’t until I met you and Emma that I realized I didn’t need anything else in my life to make me happy. If Emma’s all we have, I would die happy.”

  Dylan’s eyes widened slightly. “You do realize we’re talking long term here, yes?”

  “I know and it’s making me happy and excited for the future. I didn’t know I needed you until I met you and know I can’t imagine my life without you in it.”

  “So, yes to maybe more children, but—”

  “But I’ll be satisfied with Emma.”

  “You’re sure? I need you to be sure.” Dylan wrapped her arms around Kat’s neck.

  “I’m sure. I’m not making light of this. Would I like more children, yes, I would, but would I be disappointed if we didn’t have any more, no I wouldn’t.” She frowned. “I hope that makes sense. Either way would be good for me. If you want more, I’ll be along for the ride. Happily along for the ride. If you decided you don’t want more, I’ll be along for that as well.”

  “Kat, I don’t want you to give up on having children because I’m unsure.”

  “No, that’s not how I see it.” How could she say this right? “At the end of my life, I’m not going to regret not having more children, but I would regret not spending that life with you.”

  “That’s one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me. You are a dream come true. My dream come true.”

  “That’s hot.”

  Dylan laughed and pulled Kat closer. “You haven’t seen anything yet.”

  Kat growled then placed a kiss on the shell of Dylan’s ear, then nipped it. “You are driving me crazy. Who knew a long-term talk could be such a turn on?” She trailed kisses down Dylan’s neck and down to her cleavage, where her shirt was unbuttoned, then licked the hint of a breast that was peeking out from the lace edging from Dylan’s bra. Kat lifted her head. “Is that all you wanted to talk about? Because I have a topic I would love to discuss.” God, she hoped it was. The dinner and movie she had planned paled in comparison to where she hoped the evening was going.

  “Yes, that’s all I wanted to talk about.” Dylan laughed, then pushed Kat back on the couch before standing and unzipping the side of her skirt and letting it fall to the floor.

  Kat swallowed hard, then lay back and watched Dylan slowly, excruciatingly slow, unbutton the remaining buttons on her shirt before peeling it off her shoulders. The lace trim on her lingerie and the garter belts had Kat’s heart pounding. “You are so sexy.” Seriously, how did she get so lucky?

  “You make me feel that way. You’ve always made me feel that way.” Dylan climbed on the couch and straddled Kat, sliding her hands underneath Kat’s shirt and bra, then cupping her breasts. “Do you have any idea how many times a day I find my mind wandering because of you? Fantasizing about you? Thinking about you taking me on this couch.”

  Kat moaned when Dylan squeezed her breasts, then tweaked her nipples. “Not as much as I think about you.” Kat whimpered when Dylan raked her nails along the sides of her breasts and over the abs. Good grief, she was about to combust.

  “I’m in charge tonight.” Dylan removed her hands from under Kat’s shirt to grasp her shoulders, then ground her hips against Kat. “If you talk, I stop.” Dylan pushed Kat’s shirt up, leaned down, and licked her abs. She stopped long enough to glance up at Kat’s face. “If you understand, nod.”

  Kat swallowed and moaned as Dylan licked her stomach again.

  “Do.” Dylan squeezed Kat’s breasts. “You.” She moved her hands up to skim fingertips along Kat’s neck, then held her head in place to look into Kat’s eyes. “Understand?”

  Kat nodded, then scrambled up when Dylan stood and motioned for her to follow. There was no way she was going to ruin tonight by talking. The walk to the bedroom was painfully slow, watching Dylan’s shapely rear sway in front of her. A few times, she almost reached out and grabbed it, but a quick shake of Dylan’s head kept her in line.

  If Dylan wanted to be in charge, Kat would gladly give up control. She stood by the door, mesmerized when Dylan placed one of her legs on the bed, then turned to her and winked before unclipping her garter belt and rolling the stocking down her leg. It was the sexiest thing Kat had ever seen. She stood stock still while Dylan paid the same attention to her other leg.

  Kat didn’t even blink until Dylan climbed on the bed, then reclined back against the headboard, looking like the goddess she was.

  “You’re entirely overdressed. Take off your pants, then your shirt. Slowly. Leave your bra and underwear on. We have all night and I’m going to take my time with you.”

  It took all of Kat’s will power not to fling her clothes off, but she went slowly, wanting Dylan to enjoy this as much as she was. Take charge Dylan was one of the most exciting things she’d ever experienced. If this was her life now, she couldn’t wait to see what the future held. Being with Dylan, Kat knew, was the best decisions she’d ever made. Fate, she decided, sometimes did get it right.

  Seven months later

  Kat took a deep breath of the crisp air as she secured the rain fly onto her tent. Briley had challenged her to see who could put their tent up first, but Kat quickly realized she had the win when Briley struggled to even get her tent out of the bag. Seeing as Briley had camped with Leah and their kids a handful of times, Kat figured Briley would have learned something by now. She’d wanted to bring the camper, but Briley and Leah had quickly vetoed that idea.

  “Looks like I win.” Kat threw her arms up in victory and chuckled at Evan’s scowl, who was only a few steps away from finishing his.

  Briley glared at her but nodded in defeat. “You win; now help me put ours up.”

  Twenty minutes later, all four tents were up. Even though the spot for their camp wasn’t Kat’s first choice, it was a nice enough spot. She would have liked to be closer to the water, but understood they would have more privacy this way, considering the campsites by the lake were already crowded. Iris and Deborah were seated under the shade of a large oak tree, talking and sipping on their beers. They’d gotten to know each other well over the last few months and Kat loved seeing her mom so happy.

  The rebuilding of their relationship hadn’t been easy, but all three of them had put in the time to make it work and had already broken through a few of their issues. They’d also signed up for family therapy sessions and it had done them all a world of good. Kat knew Briley was still a little wary about their mom running, but Kat had come to terms with what happened in their childhood and had chosen not to dwell on the past.

  At the far end of their camp, Dylan knelt next to Emma and Griffin, looking at something Griffin was pointing to on the ground. Probably bugs, since that was what Griff was currently fascinated with. The smile on all their faces was something Kat would never take for granted. She slipped her phone out of her pocket and took a few photos.

  The last seven months had flown by and even though everything wasn’t smooth sailing, Kat wouldn’t have had it any other way. They weren’t ready for marriage, but Dylan had said yes when Kat asked her and Emma to move in with her. Emma’s room was already decorated, and Kat knew, once they moved in, that she was going to lose Stripes to Emma, but she was okay with that. They’d become insepar
able.

  Kat waved when Dylan smiled at her, then turned to Evan, who’d called her name.

  “I’m hungry.” Evan twirled the tongs in his hand. “Briley said we had to wait until you fired up the grill, grill master.”

  Even though her relationship with Evan had always been good, after Christmas when they’d both decided to watch their family videos together, they’d grown closer. He was growing into a fine man and Kat couldn’t wait to see what the future held for him. He had asked his girlfriend to join them, but her family already had plans. It was a privilege seeing him taking on more responsibility. The beard he’d grown over the last few months was filling out, but made him look so much older.

  “All right. All right,” Kat said and rolled her eyes.

  Off to the side, Briley and Leah stood, arms around each other. Kat finally knew what that felt like. The all-consuming love that took hold of you and never let go. Their wedding was less than a month away and everyone decided that a family camping trip was the distraction they needed before their big day. With Madison almost nine months pregnant, they hadn’t been able to make it, but everyone had agreed on another family camping trip when the baby was old enough to travel.

  Kat fired up the grill and sorted through the cooler Briley had expertly packed. Briley may not be a pro at putting tents up, but she was a wizard when it came to organizing their food.

  Emma had already claimed the following morning for fishing and Kat couldn’t wait to fry up the fish they were sure to catch. She dug out the burgers Leah had pre-formed, the hotdogs Evan wanted, and the asparagus Dylan insisted on. Everything was seasoned before putting them on the grill. She looked up when Evan ran away and scooped a laughing Griffin up and tossed her in the air. She was getting so big he wouldn’t be able to do that much longer.

  Her eyes strayed to Dylan when she stood, patted Evan on the arm then headed in Kat’s direction. Kat decided after seeing Dylan dress that morning that her body was made to wear cargo shorts. If they weren’t sharing a tent with Emma, Kat would most definitely ravish Dylan.

  “Earth to Kat.”

  Kat blinked. “Sorry.”

  “They’re camping clothes.” Dylan slipped behind her, wrapped her arms around Kat’s waist, and kissed her neck.

  “Well, you look fabulous in them.” Kat flipped the asparagus. “You look good in anything.”

  “Flatterer.”

  Kat wrapped her free arm around Dylan. This is what she always wanted, but not something she ever thought she would have. At least not to this extent. She loved Dylan and Emma with everything she was and would do everything in her power to make sure they always knew that.

  “You’re thinking too hard.” Kat turned, and Dylan slid in front of her, leaning into her chest. Dylan smoothed her fingers along Kat’s forehead. “Nothing warrants that much thought.”

  “I disagree.” She kissed Dylan on the temple. “We do.” Kat slipped her arm around Dylan’s back and underneath her shirt. “I love you.”

  “I love you too.” Dylan pulled Kat down by her neck and kissed her.

  “Are you trying to drive me crazy?” She kept her arm around Dylan as she flipped the burgers and hotdogs.

  “It doesn’t take much, especially when I run my tongue over that dip in your abs.”

  “Really now,” Briley spoke up from behind them. “This is a family space. Sex talk in private.”

  Kat groaned and flipped Briley off. “Get the fixings out; these are almost done.”

  “Yes, your highness.”

  Leah must have heard, because she laughed, walked over, and dragged Briley off to set up the picnic table.

  Five minutes later, Kat scooped everything off the grill and onto the platter, then shut the lid and gave Dylan her undivided attention. “Next camping trip, we’re bringing the camper.”

  “Now, darling, this is an ideal bonding experience for all of us.”

  “If you say so. Let’s be thankful we don’t have to share a tent with Briley and Leah.”

  “I heard that,” Briley shouted.

  Kat wrapped her arms around her love and buried her head into the soft neck, taking a minute to nuzzle it. She nipped Dylan’s ear lobe, then looked into her eyes. “I love being here with you.”

  “I love it too. I have something for you. Follow me.” Dylan lead Kat toward their tent where their bags were. “Wait here.” Dylan crawled into the tent.

  “I’m not going anywhere.” Kat pushed her hands in the back pocket of her jeans until Dylan crawled out of the tent. Kat gave her a hand up, then her eyes latched onto the rose in Dylan’s hand.

  “This is for you.”

  Kat took the rose and brought it up to her nose. With eyes closed, and a sniff, she smiled at the scent. “I thought I was the flower giver.”

  “Not this time.” Dylan laid her hands on Kat’s collar bones. “Its official name is Lasting Love.”

  “Lasting Love.”

  “You like the sound of that?”

  “I love the sound.” She rested their foreheads together. “So, you’re saying you fell into lasting love with me?”

  Dylan cupped her cheeks, her expression serious. “I did.” She traced Kat’s eyebrow with a fingertip. “I fell into a lot of things with you, darling. I never thought I’d be here, at this point in my life again. You changed everything, and I let you. My world was so empty and then, here you came.”

  “I wanted someone to share my life with and there you were. I knew I could give you everything you needed if you would let me.” Kat searched her eyes.

  “Falling with you feels like home.”

  Kat tangled their fingers together, pulled Dylan flush against her with her free hand, and swayed to the music only they could hear. “Do you know what falling with you feels like to me?”

  “Enlighten me.”

  “It feels like my purpose. To love you. To love Emma. I’ve always questioned why things happened when I should have been asking who. Who is going to sweep me off my feet? Who is going to love me unconditionally? Who am I going to give my heart to, and will she cherish it as much as I cherish hers? Who is no longer a question that I’m asking because I know the who.”

  “You always say the right things.”

  “You know that’s not true.”

  “It’s true enough.”

  “So, is this thing we’ve got going on enough for you to keep falling with me?”

  “You better believe it.”

  Kat kissed the back of Dylan’s hand. “I don’t want to ruin our moment, but your dimples are about the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.” Kat groaned when Dylan’s smile widened, and her dimples were out in full force. Kat pushed Dylan away then twirled her and brought her back.

  “There’s no music,” Dylan whispered.

  “Of course there is. Just because no one else can hear it doesn’t mean it’s not playing.”

  “A soundless song?”

  “Our song. The sound of our heartbeats,” Kat dipped her, then slowly brought her back up until their lips were almost touching, “The sound we can dance to anywhere.”

  “It sounds magical.”

  Kat immersed into the twinkling eyes of the woman she loved. “No, it sounds like a fairy tale come true.”

  Born near Chicago, but raised in Southern Illinois, where she still lives, Shannon spends her free time writing. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys binge watching fantasy, science fiction, or true crime shows.

  You can contact Shannon at -

  Website: smhfiction.com

  Email: smh1981@live.com

  Facebook: facebook.com/smharrisauthor

  Twitter: @smhfiction

  Check out Shannon’s other books.

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  The DragonWitch Tales: An Unexpected Beginning – ISBN – 978-1-943353-43-9

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