Page 94 of True North

“Good,” she breathes.

Ain’t no need to tell this man twice.

I slam my mouth over hers, tugging her forward on the counter with a rough hold. She opens for me like it’s the most natural thing in the world. I take what she offers up. Fine hands tug at my work shirt. I lean away from the counter as she pulls the shirt up and off. It’s barely hit the floor before she starts on my leather belt.

I close a hand over hers and she pulls away, breathless.

Lips swollen, chest heavin’, she stares at me.

I can’t help the way one corner of my mouth pulls up at seein’ her like this. For me.

Hell, it’s all I’ve thought about for the last ten damn years.

“Har—”

“We haven’t talked about this, Lou.”

“What do you mean?”

“How we gonna do this. Plans, you know.”

Her brows lower for a moment before her mouth pops open a little. “Okay, well, I’m on birth control. Living in Cali, it was... a prerequisite, I guess.”

My gaze flicks up to hers.

A prerequisite...

For her to...

Heat floods my center, spilling over into my veins.

So other men could?—

Her hands claim my jaw as it feathers. I’m not as naive to think she’s never been with a man before, but thinkin’ about her, tangled around someone else. Someonenotme. My mind is short-circuitin’. My hands grip the counter either side of her.

“My love”—Louisa directs my face up so I’m looking right at her—“the only thing that matters anymore, and right now, is you and me. You hear?” Her face is stern.

My love.

A stone explodes into my throat.

Lord above, I’m an idiot on legs over this woman. And I am going make sure I’m the last man she will say those two words to.

Ever.

“Loud and clear.”

The sweetest smile blooms over her face. “So, still wanna talk?”

“Nope.”

I snatch her off the bench, pulling her onto my waist. She giggles, her body pressing into me. That’s all it takes to get me rock-hard.

“Help me unpack?” she asks.

“Now?” I growl.

“I can’t very well sleep in Rosie’s room. And your sofa is kind of terrible.”

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