Page 111 of The Doctor's Irreplaceable Love

“Yes!”

He chuckled.“Are you sure about that?”

“I am.I know it’s taken me a long time to get there, but I think it works out better this way.I took my time to be sure.We haven’t rushed anything.We know we work, that we fit together, that this is… right.”

“Itisright, honey.Being with you is the rightest my life’s ever been.”

“Rightest?Is that a word?”she asked with a laugh.

She loved the way he smiled; she didn’t think she’d ever seen him look so relaxed and happy—and maybe a little cocky—as he did when he replied, “It sure is—I just used it, so it has to be.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

When Shelley opened her eyes on Sunday morning, the sun was already shining through the little gaps under the drapes.She wasn’t surprised they’d slept so late—they’d worn each other out after they came to bed last night.

She turned her head; Trip was still sleeping, his handsome face relaxed, the hint of a smile on his lips.She wanted to kiss him but didn’t want to wake him.She closed her eyes again, wanting to bask in the warmth of the feeling—she was here in his bed, he’d asked her to move in, and she’d happily agreed.He loved her—and she loved him.

They’d taken their time getting to this point, and she was glad they had.Now, she was able to relax into it, knowing that it was a choice she’d given much consideration.It wasn’t a whim, it wasn’t a loss of freedom or independence, it was a new direction in life, a new chapter—and one she was looking forward to co-authoring with him.

She loved life here in Montana, and now that she was reshaping her career and had Harper here, too… She smiled.She had to agree with Trip’s sentiment, if not his wording—her life was the rightest it had ever been.

She hadn’t expected to find herself in a position like this; she hadn’t been looking for a relationship.Her smile faded.The only lingering doubt she had was about how Trip saw their relationship progressing.She wanted to be with him—to live with him—she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him.She had no doubts.But she didn’t want to marry him.She was hoping he’d understand—that he might even feel the same way, given his own experience with marriage.But she didn’t know—and she wouldn’t until they discussed it.She was inclined to bring it up and get it out of the way, but at the same time, she was hesitant.

She smiled when he pressed a kiss to her temple and murmured, “Morning, honey.”

She rolled onto her side to face him.“Good morning.Do you want me to go make us coffee?I’ve been awake for a while.I can…”

He caught her hand and pulled it under the covers.“Coffee can wait, if you can.I’ve been awake for a little while, too.And this guy doesn’t want to go back to sleep.”

She closed her eyes as he curled her hand around his hot, hard length, covering it with his own and slowly moving them up and down.

“Would you have any interest in helping me out?”he asked with a smile.

“I’d be more than happy to help.”She tightened her grip and stroked harder, loving the little groan that escaped his lips.

He met her gaze as he rocked his hips in time with her hand.“That feels so damn good, honey, but I was hoping for…”

He took her by surprise when he rolled them.Before she knew what he was doing, he was lying on his back, and she was sitting astride him as he smiled up at her.

She laughed.“I love how you do that—put me where you want me.”

“I love that you love it.”He chuckled.“And since I’m not sure if I told you enough times last night, I’ll remind you—I love you.”

She rested her elbows on either side of his head and leaned in to kiss him, writhing under his touch as his hands roamed over her back and her ass, as he took the kiss deeper and rocked his hips more insistently.

“I love you, too,” she told him when she lifted her head.She’d been surprised by how many times he’d said those words to her after they got back here last night.It seemed as though now that they were out in the open, a dam had broken.To be fair, she was the same.She enjoyed telling him—enjoyed saying the words and seeing his reaction to them.So, she knew where he was coming from.

“Show me,” he said as he gripped her hips, lifting her slightly.His smile faded as he let her go and slid his hand between her legs.“Or do you need…” he asked as he circled her clit with his thumb.

She shook her head as she reached for him.“I’m ready.I woke up eager, too.”She’d thought her body had forgotten how sex worked, but it seemed ever eager when it came to Trip.Whenever he kissed her, she got wet for him—and when he hauled her around to where he wanted her, it ignited a need inside her that only he could satisfy.

His head fell back on the pillow as she curled her fingers around him and stroked herself with the tip.She closed her eyes when he reached up and brushed her nipples with his fingertips.She arched her back, leaning in, wanting more—but he didn’t oblige.Instead, he brushed another featherlight touch over the taut peaks, making her moan.

“Trip!”

He smirked.“What?The way you’re teasing me, I thought that was what you wanted—just the tip.”

She looked down at the way he throbbed in her hand—he had a point.