Page 40 of Take This Heart (Windy Harbor #1)

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

RELIEF

GOLDIE

I float out of the Walker, still flying high. The city’s colors seem brighter, the sounds crisper, yet the atmosphere is a bit overwhelming after the quiet of Windy Harbor.

“Do we get to take that model with us?” I ask, stopping at my car.

Milo looms over me. I love how tall he is.

“Yeah.” He grins. “I’ll be back to pick it up before heading back to Windy Harbor. I wasn’t sure you’d come tonight, so I arranged for it to be here through Sunday.” He runs his hand over his head sheepishly.

“I’m really sorry I disappeared on you.” The evening air is cool, but I’m still warm all over.

Milo Lombardi loves me.

He leans down, his lips close to mine. “You can make it up to me.”

My breath hitches at the look he gives me. “Oh? How?”

His shrug is casual, but the heat in his eyes is anything but. “I have a few ideas.”

I bite my lip. “Do you want to come over? You haven’t been to the Summit house yet.”

His smile is lethal. “I’d love to come over.”

I give him a flirty smile over my shoulder and get in the SUV.

“Is this yours?” he asks, looking perplexed.

I run my hand over the leather interior of this fancy Porsche.

“It’s one of Tully’s. I rode back with him and he let me borrow it while I’ve been here.” I grin. “He was gonna take me back when I was ready, but maybe I could catch a ride back with you?”

“It’s a date.” He grins and shuts my car door.

I glance at him every other second in the rearview mirror as he follows me to the house in his Range Rover. The anticipation of a night with Milo gives me all the butterflies. Hell, this whole night has been butterfly central.

We barely make it through the door before our mouths crash together, all hands and heat.

I slip out of my shoes, the leather soft from years of wear, and toe off my socks without breaking the kiss.

My mom’s voice telling us kids to take off our shoes when we’re in the house is deeply ingrained in me even now.

He laughs when he realizes what I’ve done and does the same, just as gracefully as I did. His mom must’ve had the same rule.

I pull him up the stairs and down the hall to my old room, breathless as he nuzzles my neck and then turns me around to face him. His eyes drink me in.

I was so nervous about what he wanted to see me about tonight that I’ve been hot and cold and hot again.

And then the love declaration caused a full-out sweat. I could use a shower.

I take a step backwards, and then another, and another…and he follows. When we reach my bathroom, he raises his eyebrows.

“Nice.”

“The clawfoot tub or the oversized shower for…twelve?”

He smirks. “All of it, but for tonight, I’m leaning toward the shower.” His eyes darken and he leans against the cabinet. “I think you should undress first…since you didn’t talk to me for days.”

“Oh, is this part of how I can make it up to you?”

He crosses his arms and nods, eyes gleaming.

Since there’s not much to take off, I lower the one strap of my dress and slowly undo the back, letting it drop to the floor. His breath hitches when he sees what I’m wearing underneath.

“What is that?” he asks reverently.

“A torsolette.”

It’s black and has lace panels along the sides. I turn my back to him and bend over farther than I need to, to step out of my dress, grinning when he curses. The black lace cheeky panties are a hit, noted.

I look at him over my shoulder. “Should I take it all off then?”

“Hardest choice of my life.” He adjusts himself, his dress pants doing nothing to conceal his massive bulge. And then he straightens and his expression is wicked.

“Leave it on for now, and get on your knees.” He points to the space in front of him.

I swallow hard, my mouth already watering. I do as he asks, getting on my knees and sitting on my feet. I stare up at him. His chest rises and falls like it’s taking all his willpower not to touch me.

I undo his pants and slide them down, all while eyeing his black boxer briefs with lust. When I take them off of him and feel his hot, smooth skin, hard like velvety steel, we both sigh. I wrap my fists around him and then slide one hand over the tip.

“No man should have to carry this massive weight alone,” I say.

He grips the counter and moans my name. “You are so right.”

I grin, biting my bottom lip.

“It’s a burden I’d like to help you shoulder.” Another slide over his tip.

“Help me,” he rasps.

“What can I do to help?” I ask, my tongue slowly gliding up his length from root to tip.

He curses. “You can choke on my cock.”

I gasp and stare up at him as he fists my hair.

“Too much?” he asks.

I shake my head. “I’ve never been more turned on in my life.”

He grins and looks like a beautiful devil. “Then open wide.”

I lift higher to my knees, and my mouth pops open.

I take him in halfway before withdrawing.

My tongue swirls over him before I take him in deeper.

I stare up at him for as long as I can and he stares at me, his head falling back when he bottoms out.

My legs press together and I withdraw again, taking my time with him.

He gets close and I slow things down again.

And again. His movements get wilder and he tugs my head closer, greedy for more.

I put my hands on his ass and inhale him.

He thrusts into me and my eyes water. The next thrust, tears run down my face, but I want more.

I hum and my cheeks hollow out, taking him deeper.

“You look…so…fucking…beautiful,” he pants. “I’m close, Goldie. So close.”

I feel him swell in my mouth and this time I don’t let up, holding on harder as he fucks my mouth. He lets out a sharp groan and comes hard, filling me up. I swallow, but it still drips out of my mouth. He stares down at me like he’s drugged then smears what dripped out over my top lip.

I drain him dry and my mouth comes off of him with a pop. He comes out of his stupor and lifts me up. His fingers deftly undo the long row of hook-and-eye closures and when it’s on the ground along with my panties, he picks me up. He starts the shower and sets me down carefully.

“You shouldered my massive burden with the skill of a champion,” he says, smiling as he leans in to kiss me.

He pauses and pulls back. “I just need to check something.” His fingers move between my legs, and he smiles when he lifts them and they’re soaked.

He puts his fingers in his mouth and licks them clean.

“So good,” he hums. “We’ll need to take care of that right away. ”

And he gets on his knees.

We make up for lost time all night long. Or maybe this is just what we do when we have a night together. As the sun starts to peek through the windows, we give in to sleep.

When we wake up, his hand is splayed over my stomach, claiming me, and I smile before my eyes ever open. He leans over and kisses my stomach, my breasts, my neck, my chin…

“What are you smiling about?” he asks.

“You love me.”

“I do.” I hear the smile in his voice. “You love me too.”

“I do.”

“Are we staying in this bed all day? I vote yes.”

“Well…actually…” I make a face. “I was going to meet Tully at Minnehaha Falls at eleven.”

“Perfect.” He starts to get out of bed and then pauses, looking back at me. “Wait…am I invited?”

I laugh and he reaches out and swipes his thumb over my bottom lip, grinning. “Yes, you’re invited!”

“Your lips are red and puffy…and so is your chin.”

“I can feel everywhere you’ve been,” I tell him, stretching out.

He winces. “Are you sore?”

“In the best kind of way.”

We get ready and head to the park. Minnehaha Falls roars in the background, powerful after a good season of rain.

Tourists take selfies nearby, and we take one of our own as we wait for Tully to arrive.

I didn’t tell Tully I was bringing Milo and he grins when he sees him, giving him a bro-hug after he hugs me.

“Good to see you guys,” he says.

“Sorry to intrude on your time together,” Milo says.

“Are you kidding? This is great.” Tully grins.

I get the Crab-Stuffed Avocado for myself and clam fries to share.

We’re early enough for the daily specials to still be available, which makes Milo and Tully happy.

Milo gets the Sexy Ahi Burger, and Tully gets the Panko-Crusted Walleye.

They get beer and I sip wine from my plastic cup, unable to stop smiling.

Milo’s hand rests on my thigh beneath the table and when we’re done eating, his fingers trace little shapes across my skin.

“Here, let’s take a picture to send to Dad.” Tully holds up his phone and takes the shot, grinning when he looks it over afterward. “Yeah?” He shows us the photo and Milo and I nod happily.

“Looks good,” Milo says.

“How is Dad?” Tully asks. “Has everything calmed down around Windy Harbor, Milo?” He leans his elbows on the table and his voice drops. “With our sister?”

“I think Ava retreated. I’ve called her, but she hasn’t responded…like someone else I know.” He looks at me pointedly and I give him doe eyes.

I’ve apologized and made it up to him in the sexiest, dirtiest, most earth-shattering ways.

“And I haven’t seen her around town at all. Everett said he hasn’t either,” he adds.

He does a double take when he sees how flushed I am.

I swallow and avoid looking at him when he starts smiling. The man gives me countless orgasms and thinks he can read my mind now.

“Yeah, I’ve FaceTimed him while I’ve been here and he wants to try to get together with her when we’re all in Windy Harbor again,” I say. “Grandma Donna wants to meet her...”

I bite the inside of my jaw, trying to calm the anxious feeling that rises in my chest every time I think about seeing Ava again.

Tully puts his hand on my arm. “You okay?”

“Yeah. Just not looking forward to another interaction with her. But I think I’m going to have to get over that.”

Tully nods. “I’ve talked to Dad too and he definitely wants us to give her a chance. I guess we owe Mom that.”

I look down at the table. “You’re right.” I sigh. “We do.”

“Have you found the letters yet?” he asks.

I make a face. “I will. I may have been avoiding looking very hard. I know Dad wants me to bring them back, but…it’s hard knowing there are words from Mom that I won’t get to read.”

Milo puts his arm around me and I lean into him.

“I can come help you look,” Tully says.

“No, this is the first day all week that you’ve had off of practice. I’ll do it, I promise.”

After a long goodbye with Tully, we drive across town to Milo’s parents’ house. They greet us at the door with open arms. We walk to the back patio, turning down offers of food.

“We just had a big meal,” Milo says as we sit down.

“How are you doing, honey?” Kathleen asks. “I heard about everything that happened with Ava last week.”

I scrunch up my nose. “I think I’m still processing it.”

I look at Milo and he squeezes my leg.

“That must have been quite the shock,” Kathleen says. “I know it was for me. I’d forgotten all about Bruce seeing Stella for a while. I remember that he liked her a lot, but I always thought she was too good for him.” She doesn’t say it with malice, just honesty.

Milo laughs under his breath.

“We still haven’t met her. Can you believe that?” Kathleen looks at the three of us like we can help her understand it. “The whole thing is very odd. I’ve asked Bruce to bring her over, but he still hasn’t.”

“Very odd,” Anthony agrees.

“I think Bruce has been too busy trying to bring the Whitmans down,” Milo says, looking over at me. He shakes his head. “Hopefully, after the recent town meeting, he’ll stop this madness.”

“Has Ava been apologetic about the fire? Or any of her behavior?” Kathleen asks.

“She apologized the day it happened,” Milo says. “Not enough, in my opinion, but maybe a start?”

He looks at me again like he’s not sure of what to say.

“She seemed a little shocked by some of the details my dad told her. Didn’t you get that impression?” I ask Milo. “My dad said later that he’d tried to say the things about Bruce as carefully as he could, but he thought it was important that Ava heard how much my mom wanted her.”

“She was so young,” Kathleen says, her eyes sympathetic. “And Bruce was two years older than her. Even though it was legal here, he should’ve known better.”

My eyes fill with tears. “Growing up, I would’ve loved to have a sister. I still can’t believe I have one! It’s…well…I need to get used to the idea of it. I think I’d feel a lot differently about it if I hadn’t had such a rocky start with Ava.”

“Oh, honey,” Kathleen says, reaching out to squeeze my hand. “Her behavior has been inexcusable.”

I wipe my face and groan. “Ugh, sorry. I’ll work through my feelings about it…another day.” I laugh awkwardly.

“How about we talk about something lighter?” Milo says, leaning over to kiss my temple.

“Oh look, there’s a Ruddy Duck!” Anthony points at the water. “That duck stamp artist I follow on TikTok drew that one this year for the competition.” He grins. “So damn good. Her channel has educated me on all the ducks around here. And she’s a local too.”

He is adorable.

“Oh, I love that artist too!” I say, leaning to the right to see the duck better. “Is that a Common Merganser next to it?”

“Sure is.” He looks at me, impressed.

“I learned everything from them as well,” I say, laughing. “Kira Sabin, right?”

“Yes! You know her?”

“Not personally, but I’d like to.”

We talk until it’s dark and the air grows cool.

I feel more relaxed than I have in a long time.

And then Milo takes me home, and we take a bath together.

With our fingers threaded together, his chest to my back, we talk until the water cools.

After craving him all day, it’s a relief when he takes me to bed and sinks inside of me.

Afterward, we lay side by side, catching our breath.

He takes my hand and kisses my knuckles.

“When we get back…I don’t want to sleep without you,” he says, pulling me into his side.

“Noah wants me and my brothers to start talking about how we want our houses to be. We each have a few acres set aside for that. None of us has given that much thought yet…too focused on everything else, but I’ve been dreaming about what I’d like.”

“Yeah? And do you see me in that house?”

He leans over me and brushes my hair away from my eyes.

My mouth parts and I stare up at him. This man could afford to live anywhere, have multiple houses if he wanted…

“What are you asking?” I whisper.

“I’m asking for you to please envision me wherever you are...because that’s where I want to be.”

I tug his head down and kiss him until I’m dizzy.

“Yes, I see you in that house,” I tell him.

He drags me on top of him and we get lost in each other again.