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C haz always knew if he ever got the chance to be in Lottie’s bed, in her arms, he’d be a damn lucky man. And he’d go above and beyond to please her, using every skill and trick in his arsenal. Her pleasure would always outweigh his, although at the moment, he felt so damn good he couldn’t see straight.

And it had nothing to do with his poor, old eyes and everything to do with the magnificent woman taking him deeply and completely.

“You’re perfect,” he murmured, pumping his hips, sliding in and out of her body.

They found a rhythm after a few strokes and their bodies began to move together seamlessly, as though they were made for each other. He’d always believed it would be like this with her, his bright light. His ray of sunshine. His dirty Disney princess whose inner muscles were milking him hard.

She grabbed his ass cheeks, digging her nails into his flesh and demanded, “Harder!”

Hell, yeah . Picking up his pace, shifting the angle of her hips, he gave her exactly what she wanted. Moving harder and faster, he reached a hand down between their bodies and began rubbing her clit. Pressing down, searching for the exact pressure to make her implode.

“Chaz!” She bucked beneath him, but he didn’t let up. Her breathy cries turned frantic and then she cried out, lost in her orgasm.

Watching the ecstasy wash over her, he managed a few more thrusts before his release hit him hard. Burying his face in her soft curls, he groaned, his entire body shuddering as he emptied himself in an epic explosion—both emotional and physical—that left him utterly spent.

Rolling onto his back so he wouldn’t crush her, he fought to catch his breath. Jesus Christ, he’d never come so hard in his life. It was like the heavens just parted and an entire chorus of angels was singing Hallelujah.

He’d just had sex with Charlotte Russell and it was better than he ever could’ve imagined. She was chocolate and sunshine, and he was drunk on her.

Unable to think clearly, much less speak, he reached over, pulled her hand on his chest and twined his fingers through hers. His little ray of sunshine just knocked the holy hell out of him. And that scared him.

He lifted her hand, pressed a kiss to her palm and slid out of bed. “Be right back,” he murmured, padding off to the small bathroom and tossing the condom. If he had his way, there would be thirty-nine more used condoms in the trash before they left.

In previous relationships, sex had always been an enjoyable outlet, but he’d never experienced anything like what just happened in that bedroom with Lottie. Not even with his ex-wife.

For the first time, he felt a deep emotional connection, and he wasn’t sure how to process it. That small woman made him want to protect and cherish her. She was making him consider a future together. Of course, that meant becoming an instant father. And instead of the anticipated dread he expected, he felt a wave of warmth flood him. Taking care of Lottie and Reya would be an honor—the most important job he’d ever have.

Glancing at his reflection in the mirror, he saw he was grinning like a fool. Hell, he felt twenty-five-years old again, full of stamina and ready to take on the world. For the first time in a very long time, he found himself looking forward to the future and all its endless possibilities.

Or, in this case, a future with Lottie and Reya. Because they were a package deal and he didn’t mind. Not at all.

Sliding a hand through his short hair, he padded back to the bedroom where Lottie leaned against a pile of pillows, the blanket tucked up under her arms, looking thoughtful. She also looked well and truly satisfied, and he puffed his chest out. Her gaze slid down his body, face full of appreciation as he sat down beside her, stretching his long legs out, not bothering to cover himself.

“You’re certainly not shy,” she murmured.

“No point.” He met her pretty blue eyes and tucked a wayward curl behind her ear. “You’ve seen all my equipment. Tested it out, too.”

She choked out an embarrassed laugh.

“Besides,” he murmured, turning to face her and sliding his hand around her neck, “I like when you look at me.”

He tugged her in close and their lips met in a long, slow kiss. Kissing Lottie was his new favorite thing to do. Taking his time, drawing it out, exploring and tasting her, he could feel his need begin to build. She must have, too, because his hardening cock was currently poking her in the stomach.

Pulling her mouth away, she placed her hands on his chest and pushed him back against the pillows. “Lay back,” she ordered in that mom voice of hers that brooked no argument. “I want to make you come.”

His nostrils flared and he watched closely as she wrapped her small hands around his steel length. Not sure what he’d done to deserve this, he decided not to question it. He gritted his teeth as she gripped him harder, pumping him a few times then letting her fingertips flutter teasingly up and down.

“Lottie,” he rasped. Her hands on his aching cock was sheer torture, but in the best possible way. Still though, he wasn’t sure how long he’d be able to stand it.

“You’re so big,” she murmured, then leaned down and pressed a kiss to his thick tip. Her lips wrapped around him and when she sucked, he saw stars.

With a curse, he dropped his head back and clenched his fists. But he wanted to watch…wanted to touch her, too, and give her all the pleasure he could.

“Up,” he grunted. His voice sounded harsh and guttural, and he was two seconds away from turning into a complete caveman. “And turn around.”

She let out a surprised gasp when he spun her, pulling her hips down and licking her slit, flicking his tongue up to her clit and sucking it into his mouth. A low groan tore from her throat and then she lowered her head and sucked his cock hard as payback. Wonderful, sinful, decadent payback.

Oral sex was a vulnerable, intimate thing between partners, and it was exactly what he wanted. Getting to know every aspect of her, every single level, made his blood sing. When her thighs began to tremble and her technique lost its rhythm, he knew she was close.

“Get there, Lottie. Before I blow.”

She did, shouting his name, her back bowing, hips gyrating against his face. He indulged in a few more licks then her mouth took him deep and he gave in to the building pressure, coming hard down her throat. She took it all, fell forward, and collapsed on his thighs.

Once again, the mind-shattering orgasm left him seeing stars. It was as though something inside of them collided and they formed their very own constellation.

Hell, being with Lottie had turned him into a damn poet.

“C’mere,” he murmured, pulling her up and into his arms. She laid her head against his chest and he buried his nose in her fragrant curls, breathing the soft floral shampoo scent in deeply.

“You make me feel so wanted, so alive,” she whispered, trailing her fingers over his heart. “For the longest time, I was so busy being a mom, responsible for so damn much. I pushed my own needs aside, completely neglected them, so I could give Reya all of my attention. I needed this…needed you and tonight so very badly. More than I even knew.”

His chest tightened and he realized he wanted everything with her. But he didn’t want to be demanding or controlling or scare her in any way. So, he’d take whatever she was willing to give. They’d move forward, one day at a time, and hopefully she would see how much potential they had, how very much he was willing to give her. A part of him worried she wouldn’t want him after she came down from her orgasmic high. He was washed-up, on the verge of fifty, and she could easily get someone her own age.

Pushing that thought aside, he grasped onto the positive. Just like she’d taught him. From this point forward, he vowed to be there for her in every possible way. Whether she needed physical release or just a babysitter, he’d be the man to step in and take care of her. He’d always cared about her, but now? Now it was so much more.

Now he wanted to claim her.

◆◆◆

Lottie lost track of the number of orgasms Chaz gave her and all the condoms they used. They’d finally exhausted themselves out and she was on the verge of falling asleep when a sound made her jump up. Chaz’s eyes popped open and he immediately sat up, reaching for his gun on the nightstand.

“What was that?” she whispered, moving over and wrapping the sheet around herself.

“I don’t know. Stay here. I’ll be right back.”

Quietly dropping his feet to the floor, he stepped into his pants, yanking them up with one hand. The stealth he displayed for such a big man distracted her for a moment, until she noticed he was already moving away from the bed. And her.

“No! I’m going with you,” she exclaimed quietly, but emphatically, and hopped out of bed, dragging the sheet with her.

“Stay behind me,” he warned, pushing the bedroom door open.

Lottie kept behind his large body, but she saw the beam of a flashlight cutting through the cabin from outside the back window. Stifling a gasp, she froze and Chaz pushed her back toward the bedroom.

“Get back in there,” he growled.

With wide eyes, she hurriedly retreated to the bedroom and pulled on a T-shirt and leggings, in case they might need to get out of there fast. Once dressed, she peered out into the other room, watching as he jogged straight for the back door. He opened it without a sound and stepped outside.

Anxiety slammed through her as she waited, listening intently, praying he would be okay. Who was out there in the middle of the night, trying to see inside? A burglar or maybe just a couple of kids? She had no idea, but her heart was thumping madly.

After several interminable minutes, she was ready to scream. Where was he? Had something happened? Did he need help? Forcing herself to be patient, she waited. After what felt like forever, Chaz stepped back inside. Exhaling sharply, she ran over.

“What happened? Did you see anyone?” she asked.

He locked the door and flipped on the light. “There were two guys trying to jimmy the window open. As soon as they saw me, they took off.”

“I’m just glad you’re okay. I was so worried.”

A funny look passed over his face and he frowned. “I can take care of myself just fine.”

“I know, but that doesn’t mean you’re immune from bullets or knives or other deadly weapons.” She laid a hand on his chest. He automatically covered it with his and their fingers threaded.

“There’s more,” he said, not sounding happy.

She tilted her head. “What?”

“When I was sneaking up on them, I heard them whispering. Something about gems.”

“Gems?” she echoed blankly.

“Yeah. I was hoping you might have some idea what they meant.”

“No, none.”

“I think we’re missing something very important. Someone tore your apartment apart, looking for something. And now those people might’ve just tried to break in here, looking for that same thing.”

“I don’t have any gems,” she murmured.

“This is your ex’s cabin. Your ex who died under mysterious circumstances. Maybe he had them in his possession, and now whoever did him in is trying to track them down.”

Her mind raced, trying to force pieces of a puzzle together that didn’t quite fit. “And they thought maybe he sent them to me?”

He nodded. “Makes sense why someone would’ve trashed your place. Either they were looking for the gems or information about where he might have hidden them.”

“And when they found out about this cabin— his cabin—they came looking.”

“I’m just guessing, but it’s a possibility. Maybe there’s more to this place than meets the eye.”

“We need to search it,” she declared. “From top to bottom. Because if Andy hid something valuable here, it belongs to Reya.”

He nodded and they began to comb over every nook and cranny of the cabin.