hurt when he stormed out, but nothing hurts more than knowing he was right. And the worst part? I couldn’t tell him that.”
Before I know it, I’m wrapped in his arms. He cradles me, but no tears come out to stain his soft shirt. He just holds me in silence, letting me seek the comfort I need in his warmth. I wrap my arms around him, squeezing my eyes shut and realizing the weight on my chest is no longer there holding me down.
I breathe deeper. Easier.
When I open my eyes, I pull back and stare at him. His image is clear, his eyes warm and lips neutral. I cup his cheek like he did with me, his stubble rough under my palm. I explore his face, trace the scar on his skin, and feel the slight laugh lines that tells me he’s had a good life. I wonder if I’ll have those same lines when I’m older or if it’s too late.
But the truth is… “I’ve had a good life.” He lets me touch him without making his own move. “I just wish Danny was still alive to keep enjoying his.”
His eyes soften. “I know you do, Piper.”
I lick my lips and lean forward into his, resting mine against his mouth without moving. Closing my eyes, I feel his breath and get wrapped in the caress of his essence. “You’re a good man, Carter Ford.” Each word brushes our lips together, and I search for the feeling I’ve had only once before.
And it wasn’t with Danny.
His intake of breath as I trail my hands down the front of his shirt and dip them under gives my confidence a boost. I feel the planes of his firm stomach and trace the lines of his abdominal muscles until I trail them up, up, up along with his shirt. When my hands rest on the wiry hair of his chest, he opens his eyes and looks at me in question.
“Are you sure?”
I answer him with a kiss, tangling my tongue with his slowly and pulling at the article of clothing I want off him. He breaks loose enough to tug it off in one swift pull before kissing me again, drawing my bottom lip into his mouth and suckling. I move my palms up and down his chest before sliding them down to the waistband of his jeans and dipping my finger inside.
He curses and pulls away. “You first.” His voice is raspy as he slowly works at the buttons on the blouse I wear until each one is undone. His large palms trace my curves before peeling the material away and leaving me in my cream bra. His eyes take in the lace covering my small breasts before he moves to kiss my jaw, my neck, and collarbone. Moving one of the straps out of the way so his mouth can continue over my exposed skin, his other hand fumbles with the hooks at the back until they let loose and the garment falls from my body. He moves my discarded clothes to the living room floor, taking in my bare chest the same way I do his.
Prickles of heat nip at the back of my neck as his hands reach out and cup my breasts, weighing them in his hand as he bends down and kisses me again. Our tongues sweep each other’s mouths as he plays with my pebbled nipples until I’m moaning and gripping his upper arms.
“Please,” I whisper against his lips.
He flicks his tongue in my mouth and lowers down my body, trailing kisses from the valley between my breasts, down my stomach, nipping just below my belly button, before slowly undoing the button and zipper of my jeans. They’re not tight, so they come off easily as he pulls them down my thighs, his eyes raising before he dips his fingers into the band of my panties asking for silent permission to take them off until I’m bare on his couch.
I nod.
In a matter of seconds, I’m completely exposed. I’m tempted to cover myself with the throw blanket next to me but I see the way lust burns in his eyes as he runs a hand up my stomach and kisses up one of my thighs. His palm gently pushes me down so I’m lying on my back as he spreads my legs out in front of him. My head tips as he gets closer to where I ache, his teeth biting the inside of my