was time for her to share her feelings, regardless of how vulnerable it made her feel. This was about Justin.
“Justin, do you know what I just thought?”
“What?”
“That I want to jump your bones.”
“Ha! Well, let’s go, then,” he said, reaching for her.
They held on to each other and he kissed her.
“I love you so much,” she whispered. “But I don’t want to live together. Not yet. It hasn’t been long enough.”
He didn’t say anything. They held on to each other and swayed a little bit in each other’s arms.
“I wish this was enough for you,” Maggie said.
“I’m sorry I’m pressuring you.”
“I don’t feel pressured at all,” Maggie said, disengaging herself from his arms. “I don’t want to lose you, though.”
“You won’t. I think I’m grown up enough not to screw this up because I’m not getting my way.”
Muscular arms folded across his chest, he had a commanding presence standing there, and she wondered why she resisted.
“I’m sorry you’re not getting your way,” she replied. “I want you. I love you. You know that, right?”
“I know it. I want you, too. I just want you one hundred percent of the time.”
“If I had a full-time job somewhere, it would be the same thing, wouldn’t it?”
“No, because if I had my way, we’d be together every night.”
Nodding, she wasn’t going to rehash it. He wanted to live together, and she didn’t want to, end of discussion. Hoping the night wouldn’t be ruined by the conversation, she didn’t know what to do until Brulee woofed.
“Someone needs to go out. Are you ready for a little moonlight stroll?”
It was a relief; being out with the three dogs in the night air helped to clear her head. The break seemed to help Justin regroup, too, holding on to Mindy’s and Marco’s leashes. They walked the perimeter of the yard, in the back, too, where Maggie never walked, and then out to the dock. The glow of the moon on the water reminded Maggie of the first time they had sex. It was right there at the dock.
“This was the scene of our first romantic encounter,” she said. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
Justin grinned, leaning over to kiss her. “I am. If we didn’t have three dogs…”
“Let’s take them back to the cottage,” she said. “I think we’re safely alone out here, don’t you? This time, I’ll bring a blanket.”
They ran back to the cottage, the dogs getting into the spirit, but by the time they got inside to their beds, they flopped down, even Brulee not caring his humans were leaving again.
“I’ll be right back,” Maggie said, running up the staircase to find a blanket they could use.
A quick toothbrushing and a swishing with soap and water, and she was ready for love. When she came back down, he was waiting for her with a grin.
“I like this,” he said.
“What?” She looked around her, teasing him.
“You know. You’re being aggressive.”
“I have my moments,” she replied. “I’m trying to make my man happy.”
He grabbed her in a bear hug. “Aw, Maggie Angel, you don’t have to try. I already am.”
“Good. I don’t want you to think I’m trying to screw you into submission.”
He burst out laughing. “But that would be okay, too,” he said, kissing the top of her head.
They glanced into the living room before leaving on their jaunt to the dock. The three dogs were curled on one of the dog beds, the two fluffy siblings nestled next to Brulee.
“I guess we don’t have to worry about Brulee being lonely anymore,” Maggie said.
“Does this mean we can take as long as we want?” he asked, grabbing her hand.
They walked out of the house and down to the dock hand in hand as the night visitors, curious but not getting too close, stepped off the trail into the yard.
“We should get a bimini for the skiff,” Justin said, pointing to her boat tied up at the dock.
“You mean like an awning?”
“Right. Then you can decorate it for Christmas and be in the boat parade.”
“We have a boat parade?”
“Yes, we do. People come from all over to Cypress Cove on the Saturday night before Christmas just to see the boats.”
“I don’t have electricity on my boat.”
“We can work that out,” he said. “Now I’m all excited.”
She looked up at him, at his handsome face in the moonlight, and a powerful wave of love washed over her.
“God, I love you,” she said, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. “I feel so lucky to have you.”
“Is that