Wow. That had been hard to say, but now that I had, it feels like the right decision. They each deserve special attention from someone who would love them unconditionally.
“It’s so good to hear you say that. I know you’re crazy about them.”
“Yeah, I am. There’s no denying that. And there’s no denying that I’m also crazy about a certain talented trainer.”
“Oh really?” She smiles wide. “Well, I happen to be crazy about a certain famous author.”
A few minutes later, we sit down at the table and enjoy our Chinese food and a little Cabernet Sauvignon. Brooke opens her fortune cookie and laughs. “It’s a good day to have a good day.”
“I like that one.” I smile and crack open my cookie. “Let’s see what’s in store for yours truly…” I open the slip of paper. “Don’t eat the paper.”
Brooke chuckles. “That’s the best fortune cookie ever.”
“What kind of bullshit is this?” I laugh along with her as I admire her seafoam eyes. “You know, I never thought I could be this happy again. But there’s something about you that makes me feel so alive. Brooke, you already know how I feel about you…”
“And you know how I feel about you too.” She smiles.
“I realize it may be a little too soon for this conversation, but…”
“What?”
“I want you and Merle to move in with me.” I look at the dogs. “With us.”
Her eyes grow wide. “Landon, are you sure?”
“I haven’t been this sure about anything in a very long time.”
She looks into my eyes. “My answer is…”
My heart pounds against my ribs. It’s probably loud enough for her to hear it. Brooke walks over to me and sits on my lap. She runs her fingers through my hair and steals a kiss.
“Yes, Landon! I would love to move in.”
We kiss again. The sensation of her soft lips against mine makes me so hard. The dogs are barking, but I block it out. The only thing on my mind is Brooke.
I take her into my arms and carry her to the bedroom. She laughs softly as I kick the door closed behind us. “Do you have a threshold fetish?”
I smile as I playfully toss her onto the bed. She looks so sexy laying there. It isn’t lost on me that this is the first time we’ve actually made it to the bedroom.
Brooke gnaws on her lower lip, and I can’t tear my eyes away from her perfect mouth. I imagine it wrapped around my cock as she takes me deep down the back of her throat. She grabs my hand, pulling me down next to her. I sit up and pull her onto my lap slowly and gently. Brooke wraps her legs around my waist. I should have gotten her pants off while I had the chance.
“I’m not wearing panties.”
Her admission stuns me, and my hands move to the fly of her jeans, so I can unbutton them and tug her zipper down. “You are so naughty.”
My cock hardens uncomfortably at the words. My muscles go rigid, and I can feel myself pressing against the fly of my jeans. Too many clothes. I flop backward so I can wiggle out of my jeans as Brooke does the same. Once she’s naked, I grab her and pull her against me, delighting in the feel of my cock pressing against that perfect heart-shaped ass of hers. It’s begging to split her wide open and pound inside her. It’s been a long time since I’ve had her.
Too. Damn. Long.
Brooke lets out a strangled groan, and her hands grab at me.
“Fuck me, Landon.”
I cluck my tongue. “Those dirty words worked the last time to get me to rush. You’re not doing that to me this time.”
I rise to a sitting position and drag her up with me. Her tongue darts out to moisten her bottom lip and my cock twitches. I could get lost in her. “You belong to me. Only to me.”
“Yes,” she rasps, wrapping her arms around me.
One of my hands clutches her chin, and she leans into my caress. My other goes to her inner thigh, tracing a featherlight touch up to her wet pussy. The silky soft skin against my fingertips causes a moan to rip through me. She wraps her legs around my waist again, putting pressure against my groin as she stares up into my eyes. She knows what she’s doing.
She’s killing me.
As Brooke leans in to kiss me, my control snaps. Seeing her passion-filled eyes, claiming her mouth all the while imagining all the places she could put it, sends me right over the edge of rational thought. I slide my hand around to the back of her neck to pull her even closer. She moans as I mold my mouth to hers, claiming her lips and tongue. I tangle a hand in her long, thick hair, giving a little yank. I can’t get enough of her as I explore every single crevice of her mouth.
She returns my passion with everything I never knew I wanted. The sounds of her pleasure drive me forward, pressing me so close to the edge I wonder if I’ll ever be able to find my way back. It’s like I’ve forged new neural pathways since I met Brooke, like my brain has been rewired for happiness instead of gloom. She’s my light. Her passion is given freely, without restraint, and that vulnerability fuels my desire even more.
When we finally break apart, her lips are swollen. I’ve claimed her as mine. “I love you.”
It’s official. No more skating around the word.
She smiles at me, and my heart fills to overflowing. “I love you too.”
When I look at her again, I see a dreamy look in her eyes born of a connection neither one of us can deny. There’s so much promise in this moment, hope for our future. I hold her tight to my chest, pressing her full breasts against me as Brooke lets out a moan. It’s so gritty, all I can do is grind my hard length against her, demanding entry with my body. Her breath hitches so I do it again and again until she’s a writhing mass of limbs.
My cock pulses and throbs, but I don’t indulge it. Not until she comes at least once. Not until I taste her.
I push her backward until her back hits the mattress, grab her legs and pull them apart. Nothing’s going to stop me from getting what I want. Her wetness coats the inside of her thighs and her perfect pussy. When I spread them wide, I see her engorged clit waiting to feel the pressure of my tongue as I lick it. She’s so beautiful, and I inhale a ragged breath.
My woman. Mine.
“I’m going to taste you, Brooke.”
“Yes.”
But I don’t taste her there. Not yet. Her thighs clench in protest as I lean down and capture a rosy nipple into my mouth. Using my teeth and tongue, I tease it until it’s a turgid peak. She cries out in pleasure as I take turns sucking each nipple. Her back arches, reaching, searching, but I don’t stop or offer any form of relief. I won’t stop until she’s screaming my name.
“Hold on to your knees.” She narrows her eyes at me so I lift them and repeat, “I said to hold on to them.”
She claps her knees in each hand, holding herself open for my gaze and exposing every inch of herself. As I lean in, I inhale the warm scent of her slick heat. The moment I taste her, I’m addicted. The moans she makes harden my cock to an uncomfortable length, and it strains, wanting to fuck her so badly I can barely hold back. The moment I insert a finger deep inside her and curl it forward, she comes all over my tongue.
“Fuck me, Landon. I want to feel you inside me.”
She doesn’t have to ask again as I climb up her body and position my cock at her hot, wet entrance. I pull her closer to me, holding my dick with one hand and her hip with the other one. As I push home with one powerful thrust, my heart gallops in my chest. The sight of her perfect little pussy sucking me deep inside triggers something inside me. Something feral. The moment Brooke clamps her eyes shut, and I feel her start to quiver, I reach between us to strum her clit with my thumb. She’s going to come all over my cock if it’s the last thing I do.
Her pussy is so tight around me that I can feel every single contraction she makes as she hurtles her way toward her orgasm. I lean down so that I can press her nipples against my chest. I want to feel as if I’m possessing every single inch of her. She grabs my hips to suck me in
deeper, and it’s my undoing. I thrust into her with long, wet strokes and her tight pussy welcomes me.
When she finally screams my name in ecstasy, I hurtle over the edge right after her. My name is the last word I hear before I succumb to the grip of my own pleasure. She’s perfect. And the moment I scream out, I’ve staked my last claim because my soul has become linked to hers.
Forever.
Chapter 25
Brooke
The next few days pass as if in a dream. The only negative thing that happens is the moment Fajita leaves for his new forever home.
I can see that Landon immediately regrets the decision, but I also know it’s the absolute right one. Grandma Nancy’s purebreds deserve to live on, and the sweet boy’s new home is perfect. They treat all their dogs like family and only breed because they love sharing the Chihuahuas with the world.
“You okay,” I ask Landon once the car carrying a happy Fajita turns the corner.
He wipes at his eyes and swallows hard. “Yeah. Set them free and all that bullshit.”
I hold him close, touched beyond measure by the emotion he’s unafraid to show.
He kisses my hair. “I want to take you somewhere. Think the dogs will be okay for a little bit?”
I pull his face down to mine and kiss him softly. “Yeah. They’ll be just fine.”
After giving them treats, Merle included, I slide into his car. “Where are we going?” He gives me a sad smile…and I know. “Oh.” I take a deep breath and link my fingers through his as he drives us to the cemetery.
The day is warm, the sun shining from a perfectly blue sky as Landon parks and opens my door. Not saying a word, our fingers link together again as naturally as breathing.
The graveyard is by the water, and he leads me to Grandma Nancy’s tombstone first. I smile, tears pricking my eyes. It’s shaped like a Chihuahua, of course. It’s perfect in every way.
As we approach the next tombstone, I find it harder to breathe. Shaped like an angel, the white granite has an almost ethereal glow.
“Hi, sweetheart…”
My heart squeezes in my chest. From sadness for a life taken too soon. For a love broken by our fragile mortality. And another emotion surfaces, I’m ashamed to admit. It’s jealousy. Not in its purest green-eyed form, but in the gentle knowing that if Carla had lived, I’d never have the man beside me.
I shake it away.
“There’s someone I want you to meet.” Landon’s fingers squeeze my hand tighter. “This is Brooke, and I just want you to know that I’ll be okay now. And I want to thank you for bringing her into my life because I feel sure you had a hand in this.”
Tears prick my eyes before spilling down my cheeks. I reach out and touch the cool stone. “I promise to take good care of him.”
We stay there for a while, watching the sun sparkle down on the water, Landon’s arm draped around me.
I lean my head on his shoulder. “You okay?”
He kisses my hair. “Yeah. I am.” He lets out a long breath. “It’s so strange. I still miss her. I still hate what happened. And I still feel guilt that it was her and not me that got hit by the truck…”
I look up into his beautiful face. “But…?”
“But I feel more peaceful about it all.”
“You’ve accepted it,” I tell him. “When you accept the facts of your life, you find peace. It doesn’t mean that you have to like it or approve of it, but you acknowledge the reality of the situation.”
He nods, his eyes straying to the stone angel. “Some reality, huh?”
I hug him close. “Reality can suck, but it’s our job to make the most of it.”
His eyes come back to me, and they soften as he gazes down into my face. “I promise to make the most of it.”
Tears prick my eyes again. “And I promise to do the same.”
We kiss, a gentle joining of the lips, respecting the reverent place in which we’re standing. “Ready to go home?” he asks.
I nod. “Yeah. Ready to tackle making lasagna?”
Our fingers link again, and he raises my hand to his lips. “Yeah.” He reaches out and touches the angel. “Goodbye, Carla. I’ll never forget.”
And I won’t let him.
In that moment, I commit to urge him to take her flowers. I commit to making sure her memory never has to be buried too.
She was his wife, and he loved her. I’ll always honor the place she will always hold in his heart. Because I have a place in his heart too. As do our dogs and the children we will one day have.
As we walk away, I look back just as the sun bursts from behind a small cloud, bathing the angel in light. She’s okay. The thought is a relief.
I smile and look forward to facing my future. The one I’ll carve with the man beside me.
Chapter 26
Landon
It’s early in the morning as I pull into the parking lot of Bark Buddies. Chili, Burrito, and Taco are safely inside their crate in the backseat. I’m really excited about the group training session with Brooke today, and I’m even more excited about her moving into my house in two weeks.
I step out of the car and get my dogs. With Guy out of the picture, I know I won’t have to be antagonized about owning Chihuahuas. But then again, if that fucker ever shapes his mouth to hurl a vile insult again, I’ll deal with him in a way he won’t appreciate.
I probably wouldn’t hit him because I know Brooke wouldn’t approve, but I would definitely give him a piece of my mind while backing him into a corner. Thinking back, I should’ve spoken up for myself from the start. I truly love these dogs, and if anybody has a problem with them, they automatically have a problem with me.
I walk inside of the building, and Pam stands behind the counter. Her hair isn’t blonde anymore. She’s a brunette. I actually think it’s a flattering hairstyle for her. Not that I’m an expert on this sort of thing.
She smiles at me. “Hi, Landon.”
“Hey, Pam.”
“Brooke is in the–”
“I know.” I take the dogs to the obedience training room.
When I walk inside, Brooke leans against a concrete wall in her t-shirt and jeans. The way the fabric hugs her curves, I just want to rip that t-shirt from her body and devour her. But I’d never take the risk of embarrassing her at work. Besides, in a few days, I’ll have her all to myself, and we can bring every single fantasy in my head to reality.
“Hey, sweetie.” She gives me a big hug, and I envelop her soft warmth into my arms. I could get used to this.
“Hey!” I kiss her cheek. I love how she just called me “sweetie.” It’s so much better than those early days when she referred to me as Mr. Crabby Pants.
“You’re just in time. We’re about to get started.”
I nod and take the Chihuahuas to the back of the room. There are a few people inside with their dogs. The old lady with the poodle is back, and so is the kid with the golden retriever. I also see a woman with a little girl who looks to be about six or seven years old. They have a Jack Russell Terrier.
“Welcome everyone to our group training session,” Brooke says. “Today, we’re going to cover the basics and have a lot of fun along the way. My boyfriend, Landon, can attest to that. Right, sweetie?”
“That’s right.” I flash a wide smile. I love to hear Brooke claim me as her man in public. Not many people get one chance at an epic love, and I’ve been blessed with two in the same lifetime. My heart overflows.
“Okay, let’s begin with something simple. When you want to get your dog’s attention, what do you do?”
“Say their name!” the little girl says.
“That’s right, very good. Dogs are a lot like people. Say their name, and that’ll get their attention. Works for us, right? So, let’s try that, but I want everyone to look your dog in the eye and then say their name. Almost like you’re talking to a person. Say it clearly and speak up. Okay, let’s try that!”
I look down at my dog. “Chili.”
Everyone else follows suit and the noise level escalates, reverberating over the concrete walls and floor. My Chihuahuas are a little confused by all of the commotion. They start barking.
“Keep going, everyone. I don’t want you to stop until your dog is looking you in the eye.” Brooke walks around the room.
Suddenly, Chili breaks my gaze, turns on his tiny heels and heads toward the little girl. He leaps into her arms.
“Chili! No!” I shake my head and trot after him. Maybe I’m not as good at utilizing Brooke’s training techniques as I thought.
“It’s okay, Landon. I think he’s really cute,” the little girl says. “And my grandma makes the best chili in the world, so I’ll never forget his name.”
“I don’t want him to bother you,” I say. “I’m trying to teach him not to jump up. He can be a handful.”
The girl pets him as Chili snuggles into her chest. “I really, really like him.”
“Are you sure?”
The girl nods, and the woman shakes her head. “Give the man back his dog already.”
“If it’s okay with you, ma’am, she can hold him,” I say.
The woman nods. “That’s very nice of you.” She turns to the little girl. “What do you say?”
“Thank you, Landon,” the girl says with a big smile on her face.
Brooke leads all of us through a series of training exercises. I try to concentrate, but I’m too distracted by her beautiful blue eyes, sexy calves, and that heart-shaped ass of hers. Dirty thoughts fill my mind as I go through the motions.
I follow Brooke’s instructions and take Burrito through a small obstacle course. I glance over and see that Chili is still nestled in the little girl’s arms. She looks so happy.
When the session is over, I walk back over to the woman and her daughter. “Thanks for taking such good care of Chili.”
“You’re welcome,” the girl says. “Can I keep him?”
The woman frowns. “Young lady, what’s gotten into you? It’s not appropriate to–”
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