Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 67665 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67665 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
“This would be perfect.” Macy held up a blouse, checking herself out in the mirror. “You have such great taste in clothes.”
“We’re gonna have to get you some maternity threads,” Ava said.
“We could go into Nashville,” Macy suggested. “There’s this great little maternity shop—nothing but the best.”
“All I need are some jeans and I’ll be set,” I tried.
Macy shook her head. “Trust me. When you’re out to here, you’re going to want something that makes you feel beautiful.” She indicated the width of a pregnant belly with one hand.
I laughed. It felt good to be surrounded by friends, even if they were here to ward off tragedy. Jason arrived home at five, just as he said he would. I thanked the girls for staying with me and promised that it would all blow over soon.
Ava kissed my cheek before leaving. “Take care of her,” she commanded Jason.
He nodded.
Macy pulled me into a hug, whispering, “Tell him.”
“I will,” I promised.
They each got into their vehicles, and the small caravan rumbled down the hill, disappearing into the forest. Jason and I were alone with the ghosts of his crazy wife and our baby between us. We went back into the living room and sat down.
“I think I know where she’s staying,” he said. “I can serve her with divorce papers.”
“What if she does something really stupid?” I asked, leaving the threat of violence unspoken.
Jason nodded in agreement. “She might. Our life together was pretty rocky, but I was in it for the long haul. I mean, I thought when you got married that was it, for better or for worse. When she left me, it was actually a weight off my shoulders.” He sighed. “Then she turns up here and starts stalking the woman I’m in love with.”
My heart froze. Had I just heard him right? Had he backed into admitting that he loved me? My voice betrayed my emotion when I asked the pointed question. “What did you say?”
I could feel his hesitancy at repeating the phrase, “The woman I’m in love with.”
Bliss settled its warm body around my own, wiping all my fears away. “I love you, too,” I said, feeling relief and power in equal doses. He did love me. He felt the same way about me that I felt about him. That first bridge had been crossed, and we arrived safely on the opposite side. Feeling suddenly tired, I laid my head down against his shoulder and drifted off to sleep.
25
JASON
Iwoke with Lindsey in my arms. The night before, she had been out of sorts, and I had carried her to bed after she fell asleep on the couch. It was enough to show me how much I missed having her with me and how much I wanted to spend the rest of my life together. I had accidentally admitted that I loved her, and to my astonishment, she had reciprocated. Staring down at her sleeping face, I wondered how I ever could have doubted her. She wasn’t the type of woman to give her body freely. I realized I had known all along how she had felt about me. She told me in the way she smiled and the way she moved. I had been a fool for withholding those three little words for so long.
I touched her shoulder, running my fingers lightly across her skin. It was so soft and smooth, as if her entire body had been created from clouds. She stirred in my arms, responding to my affection before even waking up. I felt her body stretch, toes curling and muscles flexing. She rubbed her ass against my crotch, finding comfort in my budding erection.
I put my hand on her hip and pulled her firmly toward me, anchoring our bodies together. She was so hot. Underneath the nightgown, she wore no underwear; there was nothing to stop me as I slid my hand beneath the silk to cup her breast. She moaned, rising to full consciousness with a delicious smile.
“Good morning,” she said wickedly.
“Good morning,” I growled, sucking her earlobe into my mouth.
She twisted in my arms, planting her lips firmly on mine. She tasted like the morning, like an unabbreviated, au naturale version of herself. I fell deep into the kiss, patiently sliding my tongue over hers. It was a surrender for both of us, an acknowledgment of our love. She reached one arm awkwardly behind her, trying to bring me closer.
I broke the kiss, mesmerized by the feeling of her backside against my cock. I pushed her hair away and stroked the back of her neck with my tongue, moving my hips with gentle insistence. She played along, stretching out into her pillow, allowing me full access. I slid the strap of her nightgown down her shoulder, exposing her breasts to the mattress.