Page 34
Carson - November
“ I did a thing,” Dakota calls out to me after I walk in the house and hang up my winter coat. I just finished shoveling the few inches of snow we got overnight so we can leave for the airport soon to pick up her mom. Jolene is staying with us over Thanksgiving, which happens to be the same weekend Brody’s team plays in Minnesota. We’re excited to have the two of them join us for the holiday.
“Oh, yeah? What’s that?” I ask as I join her on the floor in front of the stone fireplace that she’s decorated with golden and orange foliage garland and a smattering of wooden pumpkins.
The front walk and entire main level are decked out with fall decor, and I’ve never felt more at home. I wonder if after we take down the Christmas decorations, she’ll let me convince her we should add more oranges and browns to our regular decor.
Dakota uncovers her legs and straddles my lap before I wrap us back up in her blanket. “I typed ‘the end’ on my first draft,” she says, her face lighting up with a dazzling smile that I match with one of my own.
“Stop. Are you for real?”
Nodding her head, she replies, “I am.”
I pump my fist before wrapping her up in a tight embrace. “I’m. So. Damn. Proud. Of. You,” I tell her, punctuating each word with a peppering of kisses on her face.
Looking over her shoulder at my watch, I tell her, “We’ve got just enough time to celebrate this milestone before we need to leave for the airport.”
“Is that so? We’ve somehow yet to christen this spot in front of the fireplace,” she informs me.
“That feels like a travesty considering it’s one of your favorite places. Come here, Austen,” I murmur, bringing her in for a searing kiss that communicates everything I couldn’t begin to express with words: my pride in her, my happiness for this life we’re building, the amount of joy she brings me, and the fire of passion she ignites in me.
Dakota breaks the kiss and lifts her arms for me to take off her sweatshirt. I groan with pleasure when I find she wasn’t wearing anything underneath it, leaving her in nothing but a pair of boyshorts.
My hands tremble slightly as I skim them down her arms until she wraps them around my neck. I continue trailing my fingertips over her ribcage, gripping her waist when I reach it.
Resting my forehead against her sternum, I breathe her in as she rakes her fingers through my hair still damp from the snow.
Unable to restrain myself any longer, I pepper kisses along her collarbones and sternum before bringing her nipple into my mouth as I squeeze the other, rolling the taut bud between my fingers.
Pulling off with a pop, I ask, “Have I ever told you how much I love your tits? They’re fucking perfect. You’re perfect.”
She lets out a low chuckle. “I can’t say you’ve admitted it aloud, but you’ve shown me how much you love them.” Bringing her hands beneath my henley, she strips me of my shirt before slipping off my jeans and briefs.
Standing between my legs, I pull Dakota closer to me and slide her boyshorts down her legs at a torturous rate. I place a kiss on each of her thighs and marvel at the tiny goosebumps that trail my touch.
She straddles my legs and I grip her hips, guiding her back down. The moment her wet heat makes contact with my cock, it twitches against her clit and she mewls for more.
Lifting up on her knees, Dakota grips my cock, giving it a few firm strokes before lining me up at her entrance. She slowly sinks down and we moan in unison when I bottom out.
Wrapping our arms around each other, she wraps her legs around my waist, and it feels like we’re as close as two humans can possibly get. She grinds against me, and when I tilt my hips forward, she keens in pleasure the new position offers.
“Don’t move,” she pants as she continues to rock her pelvis, rubbing her clit against me over and over again until I feel the telltale signs of her impending orgasm. Her pussy flutters around my cock just as she reaches the precipice of her climax.
I lock eyes with her just as she shatters apart. Her mouth hangs open as she throws her head back in ecstasy, letting out a melodious cry.
Only after she’s rode out her orgasm, do I shift her onto her back and hover above her. Chest heaving, she works to catch her breath. I gape in wonder as I take her in—she looks ethereal as the flames of the firelight reflect off her sweat-slicked skin.
My chest tightens when Dakota looks up at me with glassy, lust-filled eyes.
“I am so privileged to be loved by you, Dakota.”
Not giving her the opportunity to reply, I steal her mouth, sucking her bottom lip and raking it between my teeth.
“Show me,” she pleads breathlessly.
I bracket her face with my arms, balancing my weight on my elbows as I deeply thrust back inside her tight pussy. Letting her adjust for only a moment before I pull almost all the way out and slam my hips back in. I repeat the motion over and over until she’s chanting my name.
“Carson! Yes!”
Bringing my lips to her ear, I rasp, “Tell me you’re mine forever, Austen.”
“I’m yours, Carson! Only ever yours,” she shrieks out, and fuck, the chorus of her cries combined with the way her pussy is squeezing my cock has me groaning into her ear.
“ Mine ,” I let out just as I sink further, coming so deep inside of her that I’m not sure where I end and she begins.
I reluctantly draw out of her and roll onto my back, pulling her against my heaving chest with one arm wrapped snugly around her waist.
“So, when do I get to read this draft?” I pant out as I tuck my other arm beneath my head.
“Not until I get through edits, Golden Boy. I want you to read the polished version, if I let you read it at all,” she responds through bated breaths.
“ If ? What do you mean if? Once you publish it, I can read it whenever I want.”
“I don’t even know if I’m going to publish it yet.”
“You know I’ll support you no matter what you do, but I’ll say this, your story deserves to be told.”
“Thank you, Carson. For everything. For giving me a safe haven when I had nowhere else to go, for being so supportive, for inspiring me just by being you, and for giving me a relationship that is more loving than I ever could’ve dreamed of.”
I have the urge to take advantage of the serenity of this moment, to make a grand gesture, but we’re interrupted by the alarm I set to remind us to leave on time for the airport.
“Let’s get cleaned up quick and then go get your mama,” I suggest as I roll onto my side to shut off my phone. “I bet Jolene can’t wait to wrap me in another hug,” I taunt, knowing Dakota gets fiery when I tease her about how much her mama has taken a liking to me.
“You think you’re just the sweetest thing since sliced pie,” she huffs under her breath as she marches up the steps to our bathroom.
Knowing I should just keep quiet, I do the exact opposite. “You’re tempting me with those sassy lips and swaying hips,” I tell her before racing after her up the steps. When we get to the top, I lift her over my shoulder and carry her into the bathroom, where we get lost in one another until our final alarm clock sounds, and we rush out the door to get on the road.
“How do you manage to stay so lean when you eat like that?” Brody questions, waving his fork at me across the table. We’re eating an early Thanksgiving meal at my parents’ house before we head out to do our traditional post-turkey skate. Tonight will be Dakota’s first time on the ice, and I’m stoked to teach her how to skate.
I shrug. “What can I say? I’m a growing boy who likes to eat.”
“He certainly does,” I hear Dakota murmur under her breath before shoving a forkful of mashed potatoes in her mouth. Chuckling to myself, I give her thigh three playful squeezes under the table. I'm not sure if I’m telling her I love you with that one or wait until later .
“Hey, Carse, I didn’t realize you played chess. I was in Kota’s library you made her and saw the board. She said something smart about how you’re a chess master, so you’d kick my ass. Care to place a wager?” Brody asks.
I nearly choke on my bite of food as his words register. Taking a long pull of water, I turn and watch Dakota try to hide her laughter behind her napkin.
Setting my glass down with a thud, I clear my throat. “Sorry, the turkey must be a little on the dry side,” I sputter.
“Don’t talk about my turkey like that. I practically killed myself over this masterpiece all day,” Griff huffs out.
His reaction has Dakota and Mack bending over in hysterics—literal fucking tears stream down their cheeks.
“That chessboard is more for decoration. We’ve got another board I’m sure I could kick your ass on,” I tell Brody, trying to reclaim my dignity. There’s no chance in hell I’d play chess against anyone but Dakota with the chess board in her library, especially not her big brother.
“You’re on, Golden Boy. I can’t wait to make you eat your words after we get Kota Lynn out of urgent care. Texans are not meant for ice,” Brody taunts across the table.
Dakota turns to where Mack is cutting up more turkey for Cadence and asks, “I’m going to do just fine, aren’t I?”
Mack gives her a pitying smile, placing her hand on top of Dakota’s. “I’m sure you’ll do just fine. But I’d wear two pairs of leggings or sweats to add extra padding, just in case.”
“Was that your Minnesota nice version of ‘bless your heart’?” Dakota gasps.
My shoulders shake with barely restrained laughter. Brody howls obnoxiously, but it’s me who gets a swat to the chest.
“Do you want me to tell them about our little ride in the pasture earlier this month?” Dakota queries, making my laughter die on the spot.
I never want a soul to discover what happened when Brody’s horse, Blizzard, took off galloping after Buttercup.
“Play nice,” I pout.
“Same goes for you,” she retorts.
The rest of the meal is filled with our families getting to know each other. Griff’s dad, Jack, and his girlfriend had a delayed flight, so Griff and Mack left to pick them up from the airport. They’re going to all meet us at the outdoor rink.
After I finish my second slice of Dakota’s homemade pumpkin pie, I’m considering going in for a third when she wraps her arms around my shoulders from behind.
“You better quit while you’re ahead, or you won’t be able to teach me how to skate,” she murmurs in my ear.
I turn around and pull her into my lap, pressing a kiss against her temple before I ask, “How was that?”
Dakota said she was going to talk to Brody about everything that went down with Aaron while they ate dessert together on my parents’ four-season porch.
She sighs against my chest, and I rub her back in encouragement. “Better than I anticipated. He was hurt, rightfully so, that I didn’t tell him when things were happening. But he also told me he’s never seen me happier than I am right now.” Holding her against my chest, my heart swells with pride from her courage to have the tough conversation with her brother.
“I’m proud of you, Austen. I know it wasn’t easy for you, but I’m sure it meant a lot to Brodes.”
“You’re right, it did.” She nuzzles further into my chest, and I wish I could freeze time. Here I am with the woman of my dreams in my arms, a belly full of my favorite pie, and a house full of our families.
Dakota scootches back and asks, “Are you ready to work off all that pie, Golden Boy?”
“Sure am, let’s go,” I say as I lift her off my lap.
Thirty minutes later, Dakota’s sitting on a bench while I kneel at her feet, lacing up her skates. Snow falls down around us in thick, cottony flakes.
“What is it about a man tying a girl’s skates that is so damn sexy?” she asks.
I don’t bother hiding my cocksure smirk. “You think I’m sexy?”
She scoffs and rolls her eyes. “As if that wasn’t already glaringly obvious. But I’m having a hard time restraining myself watching your hands work like that.”
“You love what these hands can do, don’t you?” My grin turns lethal when I grip her thighs, and her breath hitches, causing her to squirm. “Don’t worry, I plan to trace my hands over every inch of your gorgeous body later, Dream Girl.”
Hopping to my feet, I offer her my hand and help her stand up, giving her a moment to get her bearings on the small blades.
We walk hand in hand down the padded path to the outdoor ice. I step onto the ice and turn to help Dakota, offering both my hands to help her balance. She takes a few timid steps onto the ice, and I have to bite back the chuckle that rumbles in my chest.
Seeing Dakota on the ice is like watching a baby fawn taking its first steps—she looks completely awkward like her legs might give out at any second.
I guide her to the boards and have her hold tight while I demonstrate how she should stride. After a few passes around the rink, she gets the hang of things, and we’re able to hold hands side by side.
Once I spot Griff, Mack, and Cadence making their way onto the ice, I nod over to them, and Mack gives me a thumbs-up.
Knowing that’s my signal, I place my hands on Dakota’s waist to stop her since she still doesn’t know how to stop. She whirls around, and confusion mars her face until I take her hands in mine. Her eyes soften when she sees mine are tear-filled.
“Sometimes it’s hard for me to remember what life was like before I met you. I used to have a one-track mind that was solely focused on hockey as my entire future. But then you came in without warning and turned my whole world on its axis. I can’t imagine my life without you, Austen.” Clearing the emotion clogging my throat, I continue, “You have shown me what all-consuming, maddening love is like. There has been no greater privilege in my life than being called yours.”
Pulling out a Tiffany blue box from my coat pocket, I drop down to one knee and open it. Dakota’s eyes never leave mine, even as her mitten-covered hands cover her mouth with a gasp.
“I promise to show you what love should be like for the rest of my life. My love will never be contingent—it will be unwavering, and my heart will be wholly yours until my last breath. Will you make me the happiest man in the world by doing me the honor of becoming my wife?”
I don’t have to wait more than the time it takes for Dakota to barrel into me as she squeals, “Yes!”
“Yes?” I press, not wanting to have heard her wrong.
“Yes! Yes, of course, I’ll marry you,” she murmurs against my cheek as I stand us up and spin her around.
With one arm wrapped snugly around her waist, I throw a fist in the air and shout, “She said yes!”
We make our way over to the entrance, where our families cheer their congratulations as they crowd around us.
“I’m so happy for you two,” Mack says as she wraps us both in a hug.
Dakota gets picked up by Brody in a bear hug, and I take the moment to give Mack a big squeeze of my own.
“Believe it or not, but I knew she was the one from the moment I saw you lock eyes with her. Call it twin intuition, I’m not sure, but I could feel that she felt like home,” McKenna tells me as tears well in her eyes. “I’ve never been happier for you, Carse.”
“Thanks, Mack,” I choke out, taking a deep breath as I attempt to keep my shit together.
“I’m just surprised she said yes,” Griff teases as he punches my shoulder, giving me just the distraction I needed.
“Yeah, yeah. Well, if you could convince my sister to marry your ass, I figured I might as well shoot my shot with my dream girl.”
“Did I hear my name?” Dakota calls out, walking back over to us after giving our parents hugs.
“I was just saying I can’t believe I get to call the woman of my dreams my fiancée,” I remark, wrapping her in my arms.
Dakota’s face lights up with an endearing smile, her eyes full of warmth. “How lucky am I to have stumbled upon the love of a lifetime at a job interview?”
“I’ll forever be the lucky one,” I admit.
And I am one hell of a lucky man to love and be loved by this woman.
“Repeat after me,” Dakota whispers against my lips.
“Okay,” I hum in reply.
“I have the best fiancée in the world,” she chuckles.
“I’ve never heard a truer affirmation. I have the best fiancée in the world,” I mimic. “Now you repeat after me,” I tell her before giving her ass a firm squeeze. “I’m ready to go home and make sweet, sweet love to my fiancée.”
She lowers her voice to a hushed whisper and repeats my words back to me.
“Carson!” she squeals as I dip down and throw her over my shoulder, being careful not to get cut by one of her skates.
I give her a playful smack on her butt as I walk us over to the bench where our boots are. Setting her down, I untie her skates and slip her boots on.
“So, am I taking your last name, or are you taking mine?” I ask.
That earns me a soft chuckle. “Your last name says everything about you, Golden Boy. I can’t wait to become a Wilder. Though, I do think my pen name will be Kota Lynn. Is that okay with you?”
I look up at her from where I’m kneeling before her. “You never have to check to see if I’m okay with a decision like that. But, yeah, I love that idea, Austen.”
She nods her head at me. “Good. Now take your fiancée home and make sweet, sweet love to her.”
I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to referring to her as my fiancée, but I’m sure right when I do, she’ll become my wife. Hope blooms in my chest as I think about the future we’re about to embark on. We’ve got a lifetime of wild adventures in store for us, and I can’t wait to experience them with my dream girl by my side.