Love Her - Andrea Johnston Page 0,57

and when she turns to walk to the bed, I smack her ass. I was right, it’s firm and perfect.

To my surprise, Lis pulls the shirt over her head and tosses it to the floor before climbing up on the bed. Resuming the position I had on the couch, I hover over her and lay my lips on hers. We kiss and touch. My hands on her body, hers pulling my shirt until I grab the collar and slide it off to join hers on the floor.

This time, there’s no question who groans. It’s her. With her hands light on my skin, she pushes my chest. I fear I’ve gone too far but before I can articulate that sentiment, Lis shifts us so I’m on my back and she’s above me. Her hands glide across my stomach and if I’m not mistaken, she’s counting.

“What are you doing?” I ask between chuckles.

“Counting. I’ve never seen an actual eight pack. I thought maybe it was only something they have in movies.”

“It’s all real, darlin’.”

“Mmm . . . I love when you say that.”

I love this version of her. Disheveled and uninhibited as she touches me. Her chest is red where my beard has been. The lace of her bra can’t conceal the hardness of her nipples. Lifting my hands, I rub them over the fabric. Her head falls back, hair cascading down her back.

Then it happens. The moment my fingers touch the hooks of her bra, she freezes. Eyes wide and her mouth in the shape of an “O,” she tenses.

“Hey. I’m sorry. I got caught up.”

Relaxing, her shoulders drop, and she says, “Don’t be sorry. I’m the one who should apologize. It’s just been a really long time since anyone has touched me like you are. Since someone has looked at me the way you are right now.”

“Come here,” I say, pulling her down to the bed so we’re facing each other. Pushing the hair from her face I see the vulnerability in her eyes. And maybe a little sadness.

“Nobody in my life would believe what I’m about to say, but this isn’t about sex for me. Do I want to worship your beautiful body? Yes. Do I want to make you scream and come over and over? Absofuckinglutely. But I also want to get to know you. To spend time with you.”

“I’m going to screw up, Connor. I’m a mess inside here,” she says, pointing to her head. Taking my hand, she places it on her chest. “And here.”

The idea that she feels a mess in her mind and heart breaks mine. Nobody should feel that way. I want to find that ex-husband of hers and beat his ass. His job was to care for this woman. To love her. And he failed. I’m not sure if these feelings I have will turn to love, but I know one thing, I’m going to make it my mission to make her smile and hopefully find some peace in her mind and her heart.

Chapter 22

Felicity

It’s been only a week since Connor and I had our first date. In many ways, it feels like a lifetime ago. Somehow, he’s found a place in my day-to-day life like he’s always been there. Whether it’s a coffee and pastry delivered with a smile and a kiss at his PT appointment or a simple text to tell me he’s thinking of me, this man is wooing me right into believing in things I thought were non-existent.

He’s appeasing me and keeping our relationship between only us for now. Although, I have a strong suspicion that is a topic he’s going to want to address sooner rather than later. Connor thinks he understands my reasons for waiting to go public but he’s only scratching the surface. Yes, I want to make sure he’s someone who is going to stick around for a while before I introduce my kids to him. They lost a life of luxury and traded that for living with grandparents they used to only see once or twice a year. Their father, who was never really around, has gone completely MIA from their lives. It wouldn’t be fair of me to bring someone around only to have him leave us too.

Deep down, I know that’s my true reason. Fear and disbelief he’ll stick around. While we haven’t touched on the topic of his friends, I know enough to think the moment they find out I’m the person he’s spending his time with they’ll convince him