Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 73884 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73884 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Pride swells in my chest that I get to share a good memory of her past with her. Maybe we’ll make this a tradition with our kids, a special place to go when we celebrate. We can tell them it’s where their grandpa used to take their mom, and where we went on our first date. I know I’m getting ahead of myself, but I can see it. “He would be proud of you and the woman you’ve become.”
She blinks her tears away, and fans at her face with her hands. “Don’t make me cry before we go in there.” She smiles. “This is perfect, Maddox. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Now, stay put. I’ll get your door.”
“I’d expect nothing less from the man I married.” She gives me a watery smile, and I feel that smile in my chest. It fists my heart, gripping tightly, refusing to let go. Not that I want it to.
I rush around the truck, open her door for her, then lead her into the restaurant with my hand on the small of her back. When we reach the hostess, Brogan speaks for us, which surprises me.
“Reservation for Lanigan.”
I squeeze her hip because fuck, each day she accepts this, us, a little more, and my hope builds. We’re building a life together. We’re working on forever.
“Tonight was amazing,” Brogan says, as we’re making our way to the bedroom. “I’d forgotten how much I love their food.”
“It was the first time for me, but we will definitely be going back. Maybe we can take Briar, Forrest, and the girls with us next time?” I suggest.
She turns to look at me, hope in her big green eyes. “I’d love that, Maddox.”
“You ready for bed?”
“Yes. My belly is full, and I could crash.”
“Need a lift?” I ask her.
She grins. “I think I can manage.” She steps closer, stands on her tiptoes, and kisses me. “Thank you for the best Valentine’s Day and first date a girl could ask for.”
“First date?”
“As an adult. Prom doesn’t count.”
“Only our time together counts.” I nod.
“Come on. Let’s go to bed.” She holds her hand out for me, and I take it, allowing her to lead us to the bedroom. Once we step inside, she turns on the bedside lamp and looks at me over her shoulder. “Can you unzip me?”
My steps feel sluggish as I walk toward her. Lifting her hair, I gather it all to one side and place it over her left shoulder. “How did you get this on without me?” I reach for the zipper.
“Talent, I guess.” Her tone is light and carefree, something I’m getting to see more and more of from her.
“And now?” I ask, bending to place a kiss on her bare skin as I continue to lower the zipper.
“Now you’ve seen me in the dress, and there’s no point in twisting myself into a pretzel to surprise you.”
I keep my eyes on her exposed skin as the zipper continues to lower. I can’t resist running my index finger up her spine once finished. “Do you need more help?”
“You know, I might.”
“Tell me what you need, Brogan?” My voice is husky and full of desire for her.
“My bra, can you unhook that for me?” she asks. Her voice is soft and hesitant, but she still speaks up to tell me what she wants.
My hands move to her bra, and I unhook it easily. “What about this?” I say, tugging her dress at her shoulders. “Do you need help with this?”
She glances at me over her shoulder, and her big green eyes are full of need. “Do you mind?”
“Anything for my wife.” Slowly, I peel her dress off each shoulder, and it pools at her waist. Her bra is strapless, and it falls to the floor when she lifts her arms. “How’s that?” I ask, my hands skimming her sides.
“I might need more help,” she says. Her voice shakes with her nerves.
I kiss her bare shoulder. “We can stop if this is too much.”
“No.” She shakes her head as if her no doesn’t get her point across. She turns to face me, and it takes every ounce of willpower inside me to keep my eyes on her face and not her bare tits.
I don’t know what I’m expecting, but it’s not for her to shimmy her hips and let her dress fall to the floor. This time, I can’t hold back. My eyes scan her from head to toe. She’s in nothing but a pair of black silk panties, and my mouth waters, while my cock presses painfully against the zipper of these black jeans I’m wearing.
“Tell me,” I husk.
“I think I still need some help.”
“My help?” I need her to spell it out for me. The last thing I want to do is scare her off after all the progress we’ve made.