Page 135 of Scandalous Lover

And when I kiss her, that’s exactly how it feels. Like my life has taken a permanent shape. Like it’s a real thing I can reach out and touch. I glide my hands down her back and around her hips, pulling her in close. The solidity of her body under my touch is the closest thing to a miracle I’ve ever experienced.

The miracle of us.

Chapter Forty-Nine

Sam

I’ve made my fair share of mistakes in my time, but never have I been willing to put it all on the line for forgiveness like I am now. I wasn’t lying when I told Naomi that I’d walk away from everything. I’d do it still if that’s what it takes to prove to her that she’s my priority.

She told me that she forgives me for what I said, and I believe her. I also know that I’m going to spend the next few years showing her every single day that I’m her biggest supporter. No matter what path her career takes. And yes, that means if she decides she wants to accept the job at The Sands that my other partners are dying to give her, I’ll welcome her to the team with open arms.

Hell, it might be kind of nice to have her around me every second of every day. I’m not sure now why I ever thought that could be a bad thing. She helps me focus on my purpose in life. She shows me the beauty in every little flower and brass doorknob and crown molding. She makes me want to be a better man, a better version of myself. Having her at work might very well be an asset.

“You got some sun,” Naomi observes, running her fingers over my forehead to brush my hair behind my ear as we lean against the low countertop in the main room of my house.

Our house.

We managed to sneak away after a full tour of the party, everyone smiling and offering thanks and congratulations to me, greetings and hugs to Naomi. She met so many happy faces, I’m sure she’ll never remember everyone’s name.

“Yeah, I spent a bit too long in a chaise lounge by the pool yesterday. Luckily I have great employees looking out for me or I’d be a lobster.”

She narrows her eyes at me with a sly smile, questioning, but I just shake my head. “Later, okay? I’ll tell you the whole story of my stakeout and nap by the pool later, but right now…” I drop to my knees before her and run my hands up her bare thighs and over the swell of her hips to hold her as I place kiss after kiss to her navel, her stomach, and her hip bones. “I have something else in mind that doesn’t involve talking.”

“Oh, really?”

I nod. “Do you want to get your phone set up?”

Naomi’s mouth parts in surprise but then she closes it and shakes her head. “Not this time.”

“Oh, really? Just you and me, the old-fashioned way?”

She smiles and nods. I can see a twinge of sadness there, but also joy. I get that. These last couple of days have been a lot. I’m just grateful we made it out the other side.

And I’m ready to show her.

“New bedroom, loft, or sofa? Shower?” I ask as I pull her sweaty top off and toss it onto a stool.

“You choose,” she whispers as she steps side to side to allow me to slide her shorts off.

I stand and take her in, naked and smiling in ourliving room, hands on my hips. “If it’s up to me, I’m going to choose all of them.”

Naomi just shrugs, and I pull her to me, wrapping her naked body in my arms.

“Starting with the kitchen.”

She lets out a little shriek and laughs as I start to march her backwards, still held tightly in my arms, toward the back door of this house and over the stone path to the little detached kitchen. I kick the door closed behind us and finally release her.

She takes a few steps back until she’s leaning against the waist-heigh, butcher block counter.

I bare my teeth as she leans back on her elbows, offering her breasts and pebbled nipples to me like a feast. I drop to my knees and lick each one, up and around, before capturing her nipples and nibbling until she’s moaning and rubbing her thighs together.

My hand slides up her thigh and finds her core, already wet for me. “Is the thought of being bent over the kitchen counter turning you on, princess?”

She bites her lip. “The thought of you bending me over anywhere turns me on.”

I raise my eyebrows at that, lifting myself to my feet and spinning her so those lovely breasts rest right on the counter as I press myself into her back. “Well, I've got a thing for kitchen sex. And I’ve been thinking about taking you in the kitchen since you made me breakfast that first morning. Do you remember that?”

“I remember what you told me. That you were pretending it was your life. I was pretending too.”

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