Stalking His Bride - Lucy Darling Page 0,37

I wrap my arms around her, holding her tight. I’ll never let her go.

20

Carly

The smell of bacon lures me from my sleep. I roll over, my whole body feeling sore but in the best of ways. I smile, remembering the night that James and I shared. I feel happy and content for the first time in my life. I feel free and unrestricted. All of these things are because of him. He sees me for who I truly am and loves me.

I close my eyes, remembering how he took me so many times last night. Each time he told me how much he loves me. How he couldn’t live without me and how I was now his forever. I had never felt so connected to anyone as I had when James was deep inside of me. I want that feeling for the rest of my life.

“You’re awake.” My eyes spring open to see a shirtless James standing at the foot of the bed. His boxer briefs hug his thick thighs. I lick my lips, not only because he looks hot as hell, but because he’s holding a tray that contains a huge stack of pancakes and a pile of bacon. My stomach growls loudly.

“I’m hungry.” I let my eyes roam over him. I’m not sure which appetite I want to feed first.

“You need food.” He smirks, knowing what I’m thinking.

“It’s your fault that I’m both horny and hungry at the same time.” I sit up in his bed. For the first time I actually take a look around. His bedroom is bigger than my whole apartment. It’s moderately decorated with cool grays.

“My mom did it. You can change anything you don’t like.” I pull my eyes back to James, who runs a hand through his messy short hair. “I don’t know shit about decorating.” He looks adorably flustered, wanting me to like his place. If I didn't think I was already in love with James, that would have pushed me over more. “We’ll probably need a bigger place soon. With a yard. Bear is going to be big.”

“Bear!” I start to jump out of bed, but then I see him poke his head into the bedroom. I see his bed and a few toys in it.

“I had him brought here this morning and he's been exploring.” Bear runs over to the bed. James leans down, picking him up to help him up onto the bed.

“You want me to move in?” Bear runs around the bed excitedly. He’s in love with the idea.

“I thought I made things pretty clear last night.”

“A few times early this morning too.” My cheeks warm thinking about it. Excitement rolls through me at the thought of us living together. It is something that I didn’t even think was possible only weeks ago. I had resigned myself to the life that my parents had set out in front of me. That I’d have a few years of freedom before I’d have to go back home. But James has changed everything for me.

He leans down, his hands going to my face to tilt my head back for him to take a kiss. It’s short-lived because Bear gets in the center of it, wanting my attention and making me laugh. “Let her eat.” James grabs Bear, putting him back on the floor as I steal a piece of bacon off the tray.

“You have clothes on,” I point out as I pick up my orange juice. I’m still completely naked.

“I had more on. Didn’t think I should be naked when Bear got dropped off.” Yeah, I wouldn’t have liked that one bit.

“Good answer.”

“Glad I’m not the only one who gets jealous. Not that you have reason to be.” He winks at me. Ha. If that were only true. I see the women who look at James. I can’t blame them, but it’s still annoying. He doesn’t seem to notice them.

“I only see you.” He drops another kiss on me. I’m about to grab him and pull him down onto the bed, but his phone starts to ring. He pulls it out of his pocket. The smile on his face drops away. “We have visitors.”

I swallow, knowing who it is. It was only a matter of time. “I love them.”’

“I know you do.” James' finger comes to my chin, making me look back up at him. “It will work out. They might be pissed today, but in time.” I let out a long sigh. “They aren’t taking you from here. Never