Page 163 of The Havenport Collection

Josh

I gazed out the floor-to-ceiling windows, taking in the falling snow. It was beautiful, to be sure, but worrisome.

Maggie had her head buried in her phone. “They’re saying it’s going to be a nor’easter,” she said, her voice laced with fear. “Winds up to sixty miles per hour. And up here, we’re looking at a solid twelve to eighteen inches of snow.”

“And at home?” I asked.

“Looks like only a few inches of snow, but still a big storm.”

All the relaxation I’d reveled in today had disappeared, and the tension in her shoulders told me she was having the same problem.

“Should we head home?” Her voice was barely a whisper.

Despite my concern, I couldn’t help but smile at the sight of my wife.

She curled up on the couch in her sweats, her hair up in one of those messy knot things.

She looked like herself. My Maggie. The woman I’d fallen in love with back when we were idealistic kids.

Before the careers and kids and all the weight of adulthood dragged us down.

I sat next to her and grabbed her hand. “It’s too dangerous to drive. And the kids are fine. Things are always worse up here in the mountains.”

She crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes. “Did Lucas Kim do this? Trap us here?”

“He’s a billionaire, not a wizard, Maggie,” I replied, trying to stifle my laughter. As always, she was distrustful of my friend.

She shrugged. “Same thing.” But then I saw her lip quirk, and I knew there was hope for this evening.

“It’s not a big deal. It should wrap up by midmorning tomorrow. And then we can head home.”

She nodded, her green eyes wide and scared. I wrapped my arm around her and pulled her into my lap. She didn’t resist, just rested her head on my chest in a way that felt more right than anything had in the last year.

Maggie’s dad had died in a car accident due to icy roads.

These big storms were hard for her. I wanted to comfort her and to assure her that I would always protect her.

But I didn’t want to scare her off by bringing attention to our proximity, so I settled for just holding her.

For several long moments, I savored how right, how perfect this felt.

My wife back in my arms, in my protective embrace. The way it was supposed to be.

I closed my eyes and said a silent prayer for her, for us, and for our kids. That our family could be whole again soon and that they would forgive me for ever taking my eyes off what was truly important.

Maggie snuggled closer and shifted, her round ass brushing against my groin.

She broke away then and raised an eyebrow at me.

Heat crept up my neck in response to my reaction.

My gray sweats were doing nothing to hide the raging erection I had developed.

I couldn’t help it. Having her so close, smelling her shampoo, and the warmth of her body were like the perfect storm for my libido.

But the last thing my estranged wife needed was to be poked by an errant boner.

“So,” I said, desperate to break the tension and do something with my hands, “I’ll build us a fire. In case the power goes out.”

“I’m sure there’s a backup generator,” Maggie said, smirking at the tent in my lap.

Her playful expression was doing nothing to calm my raging hormones. “Let me be a man here, Maggie,” I said. “I need to build my woman a fire.” I beat my chest.

She laughed loudly at my antics. It was not her usual controlled, tinkling laugh. This was a loud guffaw, one I hadn’t heard in years, and the sound made me feel ten feet tall.

“Okay, Tarzan,” she said, getting off the couch. “I’ll find some candles, and we can camp out here.”

Soon we had built a cozy nest in front of the fire. We nibbled cheese, sipped wine out of coffee mugs, and had found a closet filled with vintage board games.

“You are ruthless,” I said, laughing. As usual, Maggie kicked my ass in Monopoly.

She smirked. “What? Did you think I’d go easy on you, Hardy?”

“Never.” I grabbed her hand and raised it to my lips, then kissed her knuckles gently, enjoying the satisfying moan she let out at the contact. “Promise to never go easy on me again, Maggie.”

She nodded, her eyes hooded with lust. This was my moment. I had to go for it.

I leaned forward and cupped her cheek gently, slowly lowering my mouth to hers, enjoying the softness of her plump lips and how she instantly opened to me, deepening the kiss. She wanted me as much as I wanted her. Good. I wasn’t the only one suffering here.

“Josh.” She pulled away and stared at me, her brows knit together.

“Maggie, I want you so badly. I’ve missed you like crazy. I lie alone in bed every night, aching to have you next to me.”

She scooted closer and kissed me again, more insistent and desperate. “I don’t want to wait any longer, Josh.”

Her words sent fire through my veins.

I pulled her into my lap and devoured her mouth, hoping she understood how I had ached for her on a cellular level. That my body and soul craved her touch. And that I would never push her away again.