Page 36 of Avery's Hero

“Because I think about it. Now, that is. For a long time, I thought I’d never commit. But I changed my mind. I want to be married again.”

She’s jerking on her pants when she stops and looks at me, “After what happened, you do?”

“I do. I love having a wife.” I pause, “Let me make a correction. I love having a wife that loves me. One that wants me.”

Her eyes soften. “Okay, that’s understandable. I guess I’m surprised you’re not bitter.”

“Oh, I didn’t say I am not bitter. Some days, I am. But time has made me reconsider. But, I’ve gotten the distinct impression that you don’t like the concept of marriage.”

She shakes her head. “I’ve never seen it work out. I mean, you, yourself, are another example of things gone wrong.”

I reach across the truck and buckle her seatbelt. “You’ve been hanging around the wrong people. I have this amazing group of friends that really know how to do it right.”

There’s disbelief in her narrowed eyes.

I say, “You’ll see.”

Avery shrugs, her face full of doubt. “It would take a lot to convince me that marriage is a good idea for anyone.”

I lean in and press my nose against her ear. “My genius is also a cynic.”

“Call me what you like, linguist.”

I chuckle. “Cunnilinguist.”

“You haven’t proven that skill yet.”

I start the truck and pull away from the curb, mashing the pedal hard enough to spit gravel.

“Where are we going?”

“My house. To eat.”

“What are we eating?”

I chuckle, “I know what I’m going to be eating, and it’s delicious, pink, and warm and is gonna make you scream.”

“Oh my lord. I don’t know if I can take it.” Grabbing the handle above the door, she pants, staring at me. Then her expression suddenly changes. “Wait! Don’t you have a teenage son?”

“Yep. He’s away at a friend’s house tonight.”

When I glance over at her, she’s fidgeting in her seat. I laugh and reach for her thigh. Giving it a squeeze, I say, “Don’t worry. It’s not far.”

“Thank god,” she breathes. “It’s a good thing you’re a firefighter. Because things are getting far too hot inside of my panties right now.”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Less than five minutes later, I’m dragged through the front door of a modern beach cottage that has a view of the Pacific Ocean. Not that I can see much, it’s dark, but the moon is dancing on the water, and I’m in love with it instantly.

Up close, the cabin is picture perfect. The interior is basic, but masculine, and spotless. Not a bit of clutter. There are tons of photos of Brock and his son on the bookshelf and scattered across the mantle. The two of them are fishing. Sailing. High up on a mountain overlook. But I don’t have much time to take it all in.

Brock startles a gasp out of me by scooping me into hisarms. He strides off, down a long hallway, then kicks open the second door on the right.

I barely have time to register that the master bedroom is gigantic and as beautiful as any hotel room. But I see the bed. King size with a perfectly smooth navy blue coverlet and a mountain of pillows in a half dozen shades of blue at the headboard.

It’s all a big blur because Brock tosses me on the bed and crashes down on top of me. His lips are a fraction of an inch from mine. I can taste him through the air.

His delicious weight crushes me down. All kinds of signals go haywire in my body. All I know is that I want him with every part of me. I’m dying to kiss him too. But I’m terrified.

---