Page 81 of From Grumpy to Forever

“Damn, I’m a lucky man.” I pulled her close and kissed her hard. “For so many reasons, but mostly because I had the good fortune to be in the hardware store that day when you walked into my life.”

“I’m just lucky you agreed to help me break in.” She laughed and it was the sweetest sound.

Now that her smile had returned to her face, I never wanted it to leave. I would do everything in my power to make sure it never did.

Overhead, the rain pounded on the roof, the warm smell of cedar filling the air around us.

“Can you believe it?” She shook her head. “Can you believe it’s over?”

“Sweetheart, it’s nowhere near over.” I reached out and brushed a wet strand from her cheek. I pulled her close again because I needed to feel her—my wife—against me. Exactly where she belonged. “It’s only just beginning.”

Chapter Forty

Avery

I wasn’t sure what woke me first: the golden light slipping through the curtains, or the solid weight of Reid pressed against me. I sighed, stretching a little.

But as soon as I moved, a voice, thick with sleep, murmured, “Don’t.”

I turned to see Reid, his eyes still closed, his hand splayed over my stomach, keeping me exactly where he wanted me.

“Don’t what?”

“Don’t get out of this bed.” His eyes opened, meeting mine.

“I have things to do,” I teased but made no attempt to leave.

“Yes,” he said seriously. “You do. Right here.” He tugged me closer. “With me.”

He trailed a finger down my belly to the top of my thigh; I shivered with the need he stirred in me so effortlessly. “Everything else can wait.” He lifted himself so he loomed over me as his fingers moved lower until they were between my thighs.

I groaned and let my legs fall open in invitation. “Maybe they can wait a bit longer.”

“No maybe about it, sweetheart.” He kissed me deeply while his fingers worked their magic. Moments later, the only thing on my to-do list was coming, long and hard.

Which was exactly what I did.

And then again a few minutes later, when my sexy husband made love to me. It was slow and easy and absolutely the perfect way to start the day after the stress of the last few days.

“I could get used to this,” I murmured against his chest when I was finally able to formulate coherent thoughts again.

“That’s a good thing because you’re not going to be able to get rid of me now.”

I liked the sound of that. Very much.

I must have drifted off again, content in the afterglow of multiple satisfying orgasms, because the next thing I remembered was waking up to the rich aroma of coffee. When I opened my eyes, Reid was gone.

I felt a flash of disappointment, but only for a moment before I heard him in the kitchen, whistling. He was still there. And this time, he wasn’t going anywhere, because he loved me.

The thought warmed me and put a huge smile on my face. A smile I was still wearing a few minutes later when I was dressed and joined him in the kitchen.

“Oh.” He frowned in my direction. “I was going to bring you coffee in bed.”

“Sorry.” I kissed him on the cheek. “I appreciate the thought, but I had a different idea.”

I took the mug he offered me and led him out to the porch and the swing he’d made for me.

“Ah.” A little grin twitched over his lips.

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