Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 84250 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84250 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
"Empty?"
"For now," he says, walking me toward the other room. "Larkin's room. She has her own bathroom."
"Is that a toddler bed?" I ask, seeing the huge box leaning against the far wall.
"Twin," he says. "Headboard and footboard. Mattresses are being delivered on Monday, but before you lose your train of thought, we can argue about that later."
"You're crazy," I accuse with another wave of laughter as he spins around and continues down the hallway.
"The primary bedroom," he says, but he doesn't give me much of a chance to look around before he plops me on the bed and covers me with his body.
His lips meet mine and any thought other than the two of us and what the next several hours will look like fade away.
"Jesus, I missed you," he says as he lifts my shirt and pulls down the cups of my bra.
"Are you talking to my—"
"Don't interrupt my reacquaintance," he snaps, only briefly looking up at my eyes before dropping his attention back to my breasts.
My body aches for him, but he doesn't make me wait very long before his lips are wrapped around one peaked nipple, his hand cupping the other one.
I arch my back, wanting more attention.
"Walker," I groan.
"I know, baby."
I pull my shirt over my head and unclip the front snap of my bra, trying to get naked before I get lost in him completely.
He seems just as needy as he leans back, getting off the bed completely. I work my pants off as he strips.
"I pictured this going differently," he says.
"How so?" I ask, holding one foot up so he can pull off my shoe.
"Like all passionate and soft. I wanted to show you how I felt without words."
"You can just fuck me really hard and speak instead," I barter.
"You'll run."
I see it in his eyes, the words he wants to say, and it really should freak me out, but instead, a sense of calm belonging settles in my chest.
"I promise I won't."
He swallows as he tugs off my other shoe before pulling my leggings and panties off.
"You promise?"
I nod. "Promise."
"Claire," he whispers as he kicks his jeans away and climbs on the bed.
"I'm yours," I promise, holding his face in my hands.
"I love you," he whispers right before he presses inside of me.
It's utterly perfect, the way he rocks his body, joining the two of us over and over until my body is nothing but sensation and pleasure.
My grip on him tightens, my fingernails digging into his skin, and he does nothing but moan as if it's the best thing he's ever felt in his life. I can see myself here with him every day for forever.
I'm a realist. I know that not everyone is promised forever, so I’ll just hold on to this man as long as the universe allows it. When I have to let go, I'll fight for just a few more embraces, a few more whispered words of devotion.
I couldn't ask for a better man to spend all of my tomorrows with.
Chapter 41
Walker
"I heard what you did," Mac says as I slide him a fresh beer across the counter.
"I don't know what you're talking about," I say, letting my eyes dart toward Claire.
She's here with Madison, Adalynn, Kristina, and a couple of other women from town.
They're laughing and having a good time, and I can't help but smile when she does.
My woman isn't pretending to be happy right now, but I also know that she's a little sad.
Leo passed away yesterday, and we both know what a loss it is for Larkin. She loved her PopPop and although I was there when Claire tried to explain that he had cancer, I could see that Larkin was just too young to fully grasp the reality of death. I think that upset Claire the most.
If I were to believe the rumors I've heard whispered this evening, Leo had been fighting cancer for the last five years. He had it before Hux left for the Army. It was the catalyst that set things into motion. Leo didn't want his son to be a burden on Nora when he was gone. He, not Nora, is the one who told his son to get his life together, and I imagine he's lived a life of regret every minute since.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about," Mac accuses. "Asbestos? Really?"
My cheeks flush.
"Was Jason in on it?"
"It's no big deal," I tell him.
But it is a big deal. Because Jason told Claire that they had to work through asbestos removal in the duplexes, she was a little upset at being told she had to move out.
Then I suggested that she come to stay with me. Of course, she fought against that for a day or so but finally said yes with my head between her thighs. Orgasm denial can be a powerful motivator, but I think she just argued against it for the sake of keeping with the status quo. Agreeing outright in the beginning just wouldn't be her style.