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CHAPTER TWELVE

Avery is undoubtedly the most beautiful woman I’ve ever had in my arms. Long lashes feather against her cheek, her hair tumbles wild in my hands, her lips are parted in pleasure. Breathing raggedly, she takes me deeper than I thought she could. So fucking deep into her perfect, hot, wet center.

Waves of contractions start to build quickly. Her motions turn erratic. Then she comes apart in my arms. Letting her head fall back, she jerks against me. Her scream is silent and long.

“Fuck, yes, baby girl. Yes, let go for me.”

Her nails bite into my shoulders through my shirt, her tight center contracts violently around me. I hold her to me, fighting back my own release. I want to feel every little tiny nuance of hers.

Voice broken, she cries, “Oh, god. Oh…” She drops her head to my shoulder. She’s violently shaking, her contractions coming in waves.

“That’s it, beautiful. Give it to me. All of it, every last drop of that sweet nectar.”

Panting, she clings to me as I rub my fingers over the delicate skin along her nape.

There’s a deep, deep primal growl in my throat. “God, so fucking sexy.”

She laughs softly. “I didn’t expect to come so fast.”

“I think you can come again.”

Her eyes fly open and pin me. “I might die.”

Leaning against her, brushing my mouth against her ear, I whisper, “Good way to go.”

She laughs and raises her face so we’re eye to eye again. It’s a gut punch. Something inside of me flares hot, like a torch has been lit behind my sternum.

Seeing her like that, flushed, lush pink lips that are slick from her own tongue. It’s powerful chemistry that sends a stake through parts of me I thought were long finished.

But the thing that gets me the most… There’s a reckless look in her eye that I’ve never seen before.

Wild.

For me.

I had a feeling beneath that smart, squared-away exterior there was a wildcat.

Eyes locked on mine, she slowly begins to move on top of me.

My voice is wrecked. “I want to kiss you so fucking bad, Avery. ”

“No… not yet, please.” Her eyes are full of her plea.

“Soon.”

“Soon. Maybe,” she says. I flex my hips and push up against her. Her breath catches. “You’re so deep.”

“I know, you fit me like a glove. So fucking hot and tight.”

Seconds later, she’s whispering my name, arching against me. Her orgasm comes in a slow wave this time, and she leans into me, pressing her face against my neck. Fisting her hair, I cradle her against me. Her cries are soft and throaty this time. It drives me right over the edge.

With a violent shudder, my body contracts and my cock launches jets of hot cum from its tip into the condom. Fuck. Feels so good. I never want it to end.

Turning us, I lay her back on the bench seat of my truck and settle between her legs. Our bodies are still pulsing. Propping myself on my elbows, I frame her face in my hand and look down into those endless pools of blue. I know what I want to see in them. Instead, I find they’re filled with uncertainty.

“Don’t pull back,”

Voice roughened, Avery says, “I wasn’t.”

“Truth. Always the truth between us. You don’t have to hide.” I brush my fingers along her temple, “Don’t pull back. Not now.”

After blinking a few times, her color starts to turn a deeper shade of pink. “I guess I was.”

“It’s okay. It’s a lot to take in at once.”

She sighs softly, and bites at her lip. “Too much.”

“Let’s get you dressed. See if we can act like two normal people for a couple of hours.”

A little smile tips her lips up. “We’re definitely not normal.”

“Birds of a feather,” I lean down and press a kiss to her forehead.

She goes instantly still. “You kissed me.”

“I said I would, just not on the lips.”

“You’ve got such restraint.”

Laughing, I rise up on my hands, holding my torso above her. “It took everything I had not to come knocking on your door demanding answers a year ago.”

“What kept you from doing it?”

“My ego.”

“Really? That surprises me.”

Nodding, I watch her beautiful eyes as they catch the light from the nearby street post.

There’s uncertainty in her expression. “I’m not sure what I would have done if you did come looking for me.”

“We wouldn’t be having this problem right now if I had.”

“I would have never interviewed for a job where you work.”

I brush my knuckles over her perfect, smooth cheek. “We might be married by now, and you wouldn’t have to work.”

She stares at me, downright confusion in her eyes. “What in the world are you talking about?”

“If you’d marry me, you wouldn’t have to work.”

She pushes up on her elbows. “But I’d want to work. What else would I do?”

“Whatever you like.”

“This is the weirdest conversation ever.”

I slide back, and hold the condom as I ease myself from her tight center. A groan rattles around in my chest. “God, that was fucking unreal. ”

“Wait, I’m not done with this conversation about marriage and work.”

She pushes up until she’s sitting on the seat as she searches for her clothes. I can see the look in her eye now and know she’s gone all cerebral. “Why would you say anything about marriage?”

“Because I think about it. Now, that is. For a long time, I thought I’d never commit. But I changed my mind. I want to be married again.”

She’s jerking on her pants when she stops and looks at me, “After what happened, you do?”

“I do. I love having a wife.” I pause, “Let me make a correction. I love having a wife that loves me. One that wants me.”

Her eyes soften. “Okay, that’s understandable. I guess I’m surprised you’re not bitter.”

“Oh, I didn’t say I am not bitter. Some days, I am. But time has made me reconsider. But, I’ve gotten the distinct impression that you don’t like the concept of marriage.”

She shakes her head. “I’ve never seen it work out. I mean, you, yourself, are another example of things gone wrong.”

I reach across the truck and buckle her seatbelt. “You’ve been hanging around the wrong people. I have this amazing group of friends that really know how to do it right.”

There’s disbelief in her narrowed eyes.

I say, “You’ll see.”

Avery shrugs, her face full of doubt. “It would take a lot to convince me that marriage is a good idea for anyone.”

I lean in and press my nose against her ear. “My genius is also a cynic.”

“Call me what you like, linguist.”

I chuckle. “Cunnilinguist. ”

“You haven’t proven that skill yet.”

I start the truck and pull away from the curb, mashing the pedal hard enough to spit gravel.

“Where are we going?”

“My house. To eat.”

“What are we eating?”

I chuckle, “I know what I’m going to be eating, and it’s delicious, pink, and warm and is gonna make you scream.”

“Oh my lord. I don’t know if I can take it.” Grabbing the handle above the door, she pants, staring at me. Then her expression suddenly changes. “Wait! Don’t you have a teenage son?”

“Yep. He’s away at a friend’s house tonight.”

When I glance over at her, she’s fidgeting in her seat. I laugh and reach for her thigh. Giving it a squeeze, I say, “Don’t worry. It’s not far.”

“Thank god,” she breathes. “It’s a good thing you’re a firefighter. Because things are getting far too hot inside of my panties right now.”