Page 37 (1/2)

She shakes her head "Hell, no Not even close"

I place ers down her ar my hand on her waist I lean in until ain "How about this?" I ask her I part her lips withmy hand beneath her shirt and across her stomach The muscles in her stomach clench beneath my palm "Is this your point of retreat?" I whisper

She shakes her head slowly "Nope Keep going"

I lower ers crawl up her stomach and co one right now I bury roan "God, Lake Seriously? Are you trying to killyet Keep going"

I raise my head away frorazes her breast and that’s e both lose it Our lips crash together, and as soon as I cup her breast, she h I immediately slide off her and stand up

"I think we foundheavily I runa safe distance between us "You need to get dressed so we can leave I can’t be alone in here with you right now"

She laughs and rolls off the bed, then heads to her closet "And Lake? If you want to survive the day without being completely mauled by me, make sure you put on a bra" I wink at her and walk out of the room

19

the honeymoon

HER EYES ARE closed, but there’s a shtly kiss them "You asleep?"

It’s late and we have to drive ho this night out as long as I can

She shakes her head no, then opens her eyes "Remember the first tih "Well, considering it was just last night, then I’d say I remember it pretty damn well"

"I want you to tell me all about that," she says She closes her eyes and cuddles up to ht?"

She nods against ht of my life I want you to tellto tell her what I thought about the sweetest sweet I’ve ever had

honeyht

"THREE MORE MINUTES," she says She reaches behind her and pulls down on the handle, swinging the door open "Now carry rab her behind the knees and pick her up, throwing her over my shoulder She squeals, and I push the door all the way open with her feet I take a step over the threshold with my wife The door slams behind us, and I ease her down onto the bed

"I smell chocolate And flowers," she says "Good job, husband"

I lift her leg up and slide her boot off "Thank you, wife" I lift her other leg up and slide that boot off, too "I also remembered the fruit And the robes"

She winks at ets settled, she leans forward and grabsme toward her "Come here, husband," she whispers

I start to make my way up the bed but pause when I coly thing off," I say

"You’re the one who hates it so much You take it off"

So I do I start froainst her skin where her sto her to squirm She’s ticklish there Good to know I unbutton the next button and slowly move my lips up another inch to her belly button I kiss it She lets out anotherevery inch of her until the ugly shirt is lying on the floor When my lips find their way back to hers, I pause to ask her one last tiht now?"

She wraps her legs aroundpositive," she says

I grin against her lips, hoping that this entire year of being frustratingly patient will be worth it to her "Good," I whisper I reach my hand beneath her and unclasp her bra, then help her slip it off She slides her hands through ainst her

By the tiether under the covers, I’ in my chest anymore, but I can definitely feel it I press my lips to her neck and inhale a deep breath

"Lake?" My hands are exploring her and touching her and I can’t decide if I ever want to stop long enough to actually consue

"What is it?" she says breathlessly

I soh space to look her in the eyes I need her to know that she’s not the only one experiencing soht now "I want you to know so I’ve never" I pause and pull back a little bit farther and hold ht up on my left arm I reach up and slip my hand to the nape of her neck, then dip my head and kiss her softly on theher what I need her to know "LakeI’ve never irl before I didn’t realize that until this very irl I’ll ever ly beautiful sirl I’ll ever make love to," I add I lower my head and press ether as I lift her thigh and brace ainst her