Page 140 of Last Light

I giggle against his lips. “That’s never going to happen. I know you too well. You’ll get all excited and won’t be able to hold still. And you’ll end up doing your shoulder more damage.”

He hisses as I slide my hand beneath his waistband and wrap my fingers around his erection. “I’ll be real good.”

“You won’t be good either. I’m not going to risk it.” I pull down his underwear. He helps by raising his hips. “But if you stop complaining, I’ll do something special for you.”

He lifts his head and stares at me, his eyes going hot. “What you got in mind?”

I lower my mouth to his groin and show him.

***

IT’S TWO MORE WEEKSbefore Travis stops wincing every time he moves his shoulder.

The wound is completely closed and doesn’t look as raw anymore. And he’s been working diligently at exercising his shoulder. He’s almost got full range of motion back, although I know it’s still quite sore.

We’ve spent the afternoon doing laundry. He insisted on helping, and I can’t see any reason not to let him. I’m tired afterward, so I take a long shower, and then we eat a quiet dinner of stew, cornbread, and beer.

I’m liking the beer better now than I did at first.

When Travis says he’s taking a shower before bed, I know what he has in mind.

And the truth is, I think it’s finally time.

Travis seems fine. We got a note from Mack a few days ago that someone traveling through must have dropped off at our communication spot. Mack will be coming this way in another week and wants to see how we’re doing and if Travis is getting better. Then maybe we’ll get a job since Travis has healed as well and as quickly as anyone could expect.

I’m looking forward to that. To doing good in the world.

It’s not the only thing I’m looking forward to.

Despite my worries, I can’t imagine that having sex is going to do Travis damage anymore. Even if he goes about it as enthusiastically as he used to.

I’ve been trying to be patient. And he’s been taking care of me in the same way I’ve been taking care of him.

But it’s not the same.

It’s been more than a month now.

I want to make love to him too.

So I’m wide awake and waiting for him in bed when he comes into the bedroom, smelling of soap and toothpaste and the faintest whiff of Travis.

He stands over the bed, gazing down at me. “You’re not gonna tell me no again tonight, are you?”

I smile. “I’m not going to tell you no.”

He makes a guttural sound and drops the towel he’s got wrapped around his waist. Then he climbs over me, kissing me with such urgency and passion that it takes my breath away.

He spends a long time, just kissing and caressing me. Both my heart and my body are ready when he finally spreads my thighs apart and lines himself up at my entrance.

“Oh darlin’,” he murmurs as he eases himself in. “I’ve missed you like this. I’ve missed you so much.”

I feel tighter than I remember, like he’s filling me completely. I gasp and bend my knees up, grinding my hips against the sensations.

“Fuck. Oh fuck. You feelin’ good, Layne?”

“Yes.” I dig my fingers into the small of his back. “Oh God, I feel so good. I missed you this way too.”

He pumps a few times. “Yeah. Nothin’s ever felt better than bein’ inside you.”

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