Page 120 of Deathmarch

“More than I’ve ever been.”

“I’ll take that as an answer,” he said, and then leaned forward to brush a kiss over her lips. He didn’t pull back. He waited a beat, then kissed her deeper, mindful of her injuries, breathtakingly gentle.

He loved her. The thought bounced around in her head like a tennis ball in the dryer. He loved her. He was kissing her. His hands were…

“Harper!”

He stopped. “No good? Did I hurt you?”

“Very good.” She lifted her hips to regain contact.

He immediately obeyed the unspoken command, touching her the whole time while he shed his pants and boxer shorts with the agility of a trained contortionist. Being a police officer probably had a certain physical requirement. She so approved of that.

Then he was naked too, and he kissed her as he moved over her. “Ready?”

“Wait! I want a better look.”

He pulled back a little. Gave her two seconds. “Enough?”

“No. I’m going to have to contemplate New Harper. I might need pictures.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Kinky. How do you feel about video?” he asked, and made her laugh again.

This was what she wanted, she realized. A kind, patient man who could make her laugh in bed.

She reached up and pulled him down to her, the smooth skin of his shoulders warm under her hands. Then she wrapped her legs around his hips. “Ready.”

“Thank freaking heaven right there. I’m too old for this much teasing.”

“You could never take any teasing. You were always ready in five minutes.”

“I was always ready the second you looked my way. I held off through superhuman effort. Now watch the new and improved me.”

He sank into her slowly, carefully, stretching, teasing. His ragged groan seemed to come from his soul. “God, I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too.” She shifted so he could slide in deeper.

He pulled back enough to look into her eyes. “What can I do to make you consider staying in Broslin forever?”

“I’ve already been considering. I had time to think about it while I was locked up in that stupid bread truck. For starters, there’s a substitute gig I was offered right before Dusty showed up. I could probably fit my reenactment appointments around classes. People were okay at the Historical Society evening, I thought. Pretty nice, even. If anyone gives me a hard time, brings up my father or whatever, I’ll ignore them.”

“Marry a Finnegan. Nobody messes with us.”

“I’ll take that under consideration. Maybe I’ll see if Kennan is available.”

“That’s just plain mean.” His gaze filled with so much love, it took her breath away.

“Anyway, that substitute job would take me to June. Then, come summer, I could do tutoring. Kind of hope for the best and be willing to give it a chance.”

“I think I know the teacher you’ll be substituting for. Kennan dated her in high school. Misty Keib. I doubt Misty will go back to teaching in the fall,” Harper said. “This new baby will make three kids under the age of four in her house. Day care would cost more than she makes. You might be able to apply for the job.”

“I could. But I want to keep doing some reenacting too. I’m not ready to give up my business. I could just use Broslin as my home base.”

“How about using my place as your home base?” He rocked into her. “Unless you don’t want to live next door to my parents. We can move. Kennan is buying a lot to build a house. There’s another lot for sale next to his.”

She arched her back. Gasped.

“Move in with me, Allie Bianchi. Let’s start there. It’ll give me time to talk you into marriage.” He rocked into her again. “Just say yes.”