Page 51 of Unsteady in Love

His lips tipped up, face brightening in the moment. “I know. I wanted to surprise you, but I didn’t count on losing my charger and my phone going dead. Getting here was a bit of an experience, but I made it. Are you surprised?” He knew I was surprised. So much so I thought it was all a dream.

“Surprised doesn’t even cover it.” I still had tears streaming down my cheeks as I stared up at him with a smile on my face that made my cheeks ache. “I missed you so much. Oh God, I feel like I’m going to explode, I’m so happy.”

“We can’t have that.” He grinned full out. “Come here, I need to kiss you.”

There was no way I was going to deny him. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I pulled him down for our lips to meet. I didn’t expect our kiss to start off so tender. It had been too long since I’d last kissed him. His lips brushed across mine feather-light. His thumb swept over my cheek as his mouth moved ever so slowly. I’d forgotten how soft his lips were, but now that he was here, I planned to rectify that.

I gasped as his tongue slipped over my bottom lip; the ache between my legs grew. When our tongues finally touched, I let out a moan. A thrum of desire shot straight through my body. His long fingers wrapped around the strands of my hair, pulling me the way he wanted me. Giving him better access. I slipped one hand down to press against his rock-hard chest as the other scraped along his scalp.

“Maybe we should leave them alone,” I heard in the faint distance.

“That’s hot,” Alex murmured.

“I’ll show you hot,” Luke growled.

Holden pulled away, amusement written all over his face. His voice was full of gravel when he spoke. “I need to be alone with you.”

Face planting into his chest, I softly said, “I couldn’t agree more.” Pulling back, I reached up on tippy-toes and placed a chaste kiss on the lips I’d been dreaming about for the past few months.

Before I got lost in Holden again, I turned around to our guests with a bright smile on my face. “In case you haven’t guessed, Alex and Luke, this is Holden.”

“It’s really nice to meet the man who’s put that smile on her face,” Alex greeted.

Holden ducked his head. “Thank you, both of you, for everything you’ve done to help Prue. It means a lot to me to know she’s had good people backing her up.”

Luke stepped forward and they did a weird man hug thing. I think Holden was a little taken aback by the gesture. “Thank you for your service. It’s great to see you under better circumstances.”

“Yeah, I guess I didn’t make the best first impression, did I?” Holden wrapped his arm around my waist.

I wanted to swoon. Everything seemed so normal and yet so surreal. It was nothing like the last time I’d seen Holden.

“That’s okay. We all go a little crazy sometimes for the women we love.” Luke smiled. Apparently, their meeting that morning on my front porch forgiven.

“Thanks, man.” A chuckle escaped. “I was a little crazy. I hate to be rude, but it’s been too long since I last saw my wife.”

My heart rate picked up at the word wife and my stomach fluttered. My love for him was endless and I couldn’t wait to be alone with him. I was too overwhelmed to hear what else was said. I stood dreamy-eyed as they spoke until Alex gave me a big hug, her smile wide. “I’ll talk to you soon. No rush, you’ve got some making up to do,” she whispered in my ear.

“Thank you. I can’t believe he’s here.” I squeezed her harder.

“It was a great surprise. I’m glad he’s finally home. Go be with your man and get him settled in.”

Holden and I stood side-by-side while we watched Luke, Alex, and Mason leave with Atticus trying to follow. Once they were out of sight, I laced my fingers with Holden’s and led him up to the house. I stood at the back door and turned to Holden, and the moment I faced him, his lips crashed into mine. We were all tongues and teeth as we devoured each other. Gone was the tenderness from earlier. We were desperate for each other.

“Welcome home, Mr. Montgomery,” I breathed against his lips.

“It’s good to be home, Mrs. Montgomery.”

31

PRUE

Smiling wide,I slowly dragged Holden inside the house. I still couldn’t believe he was finally here, and that he had surprised me in the best possible way. I couldn’t help but continue to glance back at him every few seconds to make sure he was real and admire how handsome he was. When we were in high school, I’d thought no one could be as good looking as he was, but damn he was fine now. Manhood suited him. Holden took everything in as he let me lead him through the house and into the bedroom.

“Prue.” My core clenched from that one husky word alone.

Stopping in front of the bed, I placed my hands on his rock-hard chest. My fingers trailed down to the hem of his shirt and slowly started to lift it over his head but stopped dead in their tracks at the tattoo on Holden’s chest. My eyes flicked up to his and then back down.

“Holden,” I gasped, my hand going over mouth, “when did you get this?”

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