Page 26 of Finally Home

They sat there for a long time before she dared to ask, “Will you tell me about her?”

“She was hell on wheels.” He chuckled, and the sound warmed her heart. Even after the hell he’d been through, West could still laugh. “Shelby was smart, and boy was she funny. Quick with her words, but thoughtful at the same time. Like all daughters, she frustrated he hell outta me one minute, then would smile, and I was putty in her hands. Almost reminded me of you.”

“She sounds like she was pure perfection.”

“She was.”

“I wish I could have met her.”

“Me too.” West sighed and placed a soft kiss on the top of her head.

Silence fell between them, but it wasn’t awkward. It was therapeutic. Almost comforting. Like for the first time they were in the same place. On the same page. They weren’t, of course, because she could never fully understand the life he had lived while they were apart. But they were now on even footing. Nothing hidden between them.

She didn’t know how long they sat there before she drifted off to sleep, lulled by the rise and fall of West’s chest. Sometime later, though, he roused her, placing soft kisses along her jawline.

“Let’s go to bed, Red.”

CHAPTERTEN

CAMI

She awoke with a smile and West’s arm snug around her, holding her against his bare chest. West freaking James. Every inch of her body ached, but it was worth it. He’d taken her beneath him so many times yesterday she could still feel the pulsing in her core. Twice before he bared his soul, then twice after he took her to bed. The latter an expression of not only the connection they shared but the walls they finally broke down between them. It was the most passionate, soul-baring experience.

Turning silently, she took in the man sleeping soundly beside her. His thick black lashes dusted his sharp cheekbones, and a five-o’clock shadow formed along his jaw and lips, leaving her to wonder what it would feel like when she kissed him awake. She could get used to West with some scruff. She could get used to West permanently.

Beyond looking extremely sexy, for the first time since being with her, he looked peaceful. Which was probably because he’d had a good night’s rest without a single nightmare. She wanted that for him. More importantly, she wanted him to have that with her.

Cami startled when a loud, upbeat song blared through the cabin. Reaching for the offending phone on her nightstand, she realized it was West’s.

Trying to be helpful, she picked it up to silence it, but when she turned to hand it to him, she saw the caller ID.

A picture of his ex-wife stared at her with the large letters TIFF across the screen.

West grabbed the phone before she could say anything.

“Oh, um, I’m ... I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.” Cami stumbled over her words, embarrassed he’d caught her gaping at the phone.

West ignored the call and threw the phone over his side of the bed. “It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”

She couldn’t help but worry about it. They had a sordid history, and Tiffani was calling mighty early on Christmas Eve.

He rolled on top of her, caging her between his arms, the heat from his very naked body awakening hers.

She whimpered. His hips rocked, pressing his thick cock against her.

“Say, Red.” His voice was sexy, gruff from sleep. “What are the chances you still keep a vibrator in your nightstand drawer?”

All thoughts of Tiffani flew out the window, and Cami pressed herself against him, trying to gain the friction she so desperately wanted. “I guess you’ll just have to look for yourself, won’t you?”

West pushed himself up, leaving her aching where his cock once rested. Slowly he leaned over. “You’re impatient in the morning.” He bent down, hovering over her naked stomach, and kissed her hip bone. Ensuring he didn’t touch her with any other part of him, he trailed kisses up her abdomen. She moaned as the cool air brushed over each spot his lips warmed until he reached her breast and sucked her nipple. “I’m going to take my time with you. Red for breakfast sounds like the perfect way to start the day.”

“I’m all yours.” Her words were breathy. She arched her back, hoping he would suck her aching bud again and send electricity straight to her needy cunt.

He smiled, his lips brushing against her flesh before leaning over to the nightstand and pulling open the top drawer. “Bingo.” He pulled out her favorite purple vibrator. The one she had used on herself many times before with his image in her mind.

West returned to her, pressing his lips against hers. She immediately sucked his lower lip between her teeth, scraping it softly.

“God, you drive me wild.” He sat back, his lips curved into a devilish grin, and openly admired her splayed before him.

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