Page 67 of When It Burns

Walking back to Theo, I take a moment to look at the friends surrounding us. If you had told me this summer that I would fall in love with a grumpy fire chief and be living on a farm with a mischievous jackass, I would have asked how much Mrs. Sally’d had to drink before starting that rumor. But now, I can’t imagine my life any other way. Our group was proof that we didn’t get to choose our family or our circumstances, but we do get to choose to chase the sunlight and believe in brighter days. And I was pretty damn excited about mine.

EPILOGUE- ONE MONTH LATER

THEO

Monday afternoon, I make my way into the farmhouse with a shout, “Sunshine, I’m home!”

Caroline peeks her head up from the sofa where she’s sprawled out with Bear lying on top of her and resting his head on her shoulder. “Hey, baby! I missed you today. I’d get up to kiss you, but you can see this big guy has other ideas.”

“The little bastard,” I mutter under my breath as Bear looks at me and lets out a loud sigh.

I walk over and glare at him before leaning down to kiss my girl.

“How was your day, Chief Johnson?” Caroline asks with a big smile on her face.

“Pretty good, Miss Tyler. It’s so nice to have Zach back at the station. It was a slow day so we filmed some content. Margaret has given us some recipes to use, and I cleared it with Brian for part of the proceeds of this year’s cookbook to go towards a college fund for Bethany. I told Zach and the rest of the guys today, and I don’t think there was a dry eye in the station. How was your day?” I ask while lifting her feet and placing them on top of my lap.

“It was a really good day. We played a game that went along with the Salem Witch Trials since we’re studyingThe Crucible, and my students enjoyed it. Michael also came by after class to tell me his adoption is going to be finalized next week. He told me to tell you he wants us to come to the courthouse with him when it’s made official.”

I smile at my fiancèe and tease, “Did you cry, Sunshine?”

She rolls her eyes at me and pokes me with her foot, “You know I did. That kid’s been through so damn much, but I am proud of him.”

“Me too. Are you meeting the girls tonight?” I ask, rubbing the bottom of her bare foot.

“Cowboy, you know the answer to that. We never miss a Monday,” she says while stroking Bear’s head.

“Yeah, yeah. Well, text the girls that you’re gonna be late tonight,” I growl, and Caroline’s eyes widen as she looks at me.

“Why am I gonna be late?” she asks as a mischievous smirk takes over her face.

“Because you’re not leaving this house until after you’ve moaned my name and you’re full of my cum,” I say, running my hand up the inside of her leg toward her tiny pajama shorts.

“Theo,” she groans, as Bear gives me a murderous look and jumps down onto the floor. I continue tracing my fingers higher and higher up her leg until I graze the fabric of her lacy thong. Her breath catches, and I lean forward and push her shorts to the side so that I can tease her clit through the rough material.

“Oh, my God,” she cries out as she withers under me. I look down to smirk at her and firmly wrap my hand around her throat the way I know she likes as I slide my other hand inside her soaked panties. I flex my hand around her throat and groan as I feel her inner walls contracting along with my hand.

“So damn perfect, Sunshine.”

I tease her with my hands until I can tell that she’s on the edge of an orgasm before withdrawing my fingers. She whimpers at the loss of contact until I free my cock and push into her. I keep the pressure in my hand around her neck steady, making sure she’s able to breathe freely as I fuck her hard. It doesn’t take long before I feel her walls tightening around my cock, pulling a low groan from my throat. “God, Caroline. Come for me, pretty girl.”

With that, I feel her walls spasm and grip my cock, and we both finish with a moan.

“Damn, Cowboy. Is that all you got?” she asks with a wink, swaying her hips as she runs to the bedroom and locks me out to get ready for dinner.

“Sunshine, when are you gonna learn I’m never gonna be through with you,” I mutter as I step into the bathroom to take a shower. “When you get home tonight, you’re mine.”

Caroline

“Caroline, the farm is going to be so perfect. Are y’all still planning to have the ceremony in front of the barn?” Margaret asks as we sit in our usual booth at Maracas and sip on our final margarita of the evening.

“Yeah, we are. And you’re okay with taking care of the cakes?” I respond as I check my phone and see a text from Theo letting me know he’s outside.

“Of course! I have so many ideas I can’t wait to show you!” Margaret says excitedly. “Let’s do a tasting one day next month”

“Sounds good to me, but you know we love everything you make,” I tell her honestly as Margaret smiles.

“Have you decided on a color for the bridesmaid’s dresses?” Hannah asks, and I can hear the curiosity in her voice

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