Page 43 of Heartstrings & Horizons
Before I can change my mind, she pushes up on her tiptoes and closes the distance between us. The kiss starts off soft, a slight graze of her lips on mine until I take control and claim her mouth with every bit of pent up longing. I promised her someday I would kiss her breathless, and Ialwayskeep my promises.
I don’t know how long we stay like that, getting lost in each other. When we finally break apart, we’re both a little breathless. She giggles, then intertwines our fingers before leading me over to the luggage carousel.This feels so right.
“How was your flight?” she asks, knocking into my shoulder with hers.
“Way too long.” I say, basking in every brush of her body against mine.
“I booked us a hotel. I wasn’t sure if you would want to stay with Mags, and I don’t really want to burden her when she has classes. We can get separate rooms if you want, or we can figure something else out. I’m only now realizing I probably should’ve asked first...”She’s adorable when she’s flustered.
“I think I can share a room with my future wife, Paige. I’m looking forward to some quality time together.” I say, infusing my words with a suggestive undertone as a deep blush spreads across her cheeks.
I can’t help but lift my hand and brush a stray curl away from her forehead. She’s even more beautiful in person. Up close, I can see the details of her face more clearly. Her eyes aren’t just brown, they’re deep and rich like polished mahogany, with a warmth that draws me in. A delicate trail of freckles dots a path across the bridge of her nose, highlighting the gentle contours of her soft features. She snorts, and I can’t help the smile that washes over my face.
“What are you laughing at?”
“Oh nothing, just the one bed trope.”
“The what now?”
“You know, like in a romance novel when the main characters get to the inn or the hotel and there’s only one bed so they have to pretend like they don’t want to bone, and inevitably end up wrapped around each other by morning.”
“Let me be perfectly clear,” I lean over so only she can hear my next words clearly over the gather crowd of passengers, “I have no intention of pretending I don't want to, how did you put it…bonemy super hot fiancée. I plan to be wrapped up in you as much as possible for the next 48 hours.”
I pull back and watch her eyes darken with need. “Get used to it, Sunshine.” I laya firm smack on her round ass before I approach the carousel and grab my suitcase.
The drive from the airport is agonizingly long. An hour later, our Uberfinallypulls up to an extravagant beachfront hotel. I don’t know what Paige has planned, but I hope we don’t have to leave our room any time soon.
She gives our information at the check-in counter before we head over to the elevator, hand in hand. The ride up to the 5th floor is quiet, and the atmosphere is filled with need. As the doors slide open, Paige takes off like a shot, not wasting any time finding our room. She places the keycard on the censor but the door doesn’t open.
“Shit,” she tries again, but her hand is shaking.
“Here, let me try.” I take the keycard from her hand as our fingers brush and an electric charge shoots up my arm. It doesn’t take long to get the door open and as soon as we’re on the other side, our bodies collide like two people starving for each other — and I suppose we are.
“Wait,” she says, pulling out of my hold. “I have something for you.”
I don’t have time to ask any questions as she stalks over to her suitcase, pulls something out, and comes back to stand in front of me with her hand behind her back. I stare into her eyes, mischief lining her irises, when she places something on my head; but not just any “something”,a cowboy hat.
Paige
I had no intention of giving him the cowboy hat this soon, but things were getting hot and heavy and I’m terrified. We’ve obviously seen each other naked, but it feels so different being this close, and I’m self-conscious about my body. Cade has never given me the impression that he’s disappointed in what he sees. In fact, he often makes me feel beautiful and desired, but it’s hard to undo almost23 years of internalized fat phobia.
“What do you think? Does it suit me?”
I look up at the man who has carefully carved out a spot in my heart, belonging only to him, and I see nothing but affection in his eyes. I’m momentarily mesmerized by the gold flecks in his irises that I hadn’t noticed until now. He’s devastatingly handsome. His chestnut brown eyes are deep and expressive with the tiniest hint of crow’s feet when he smiles, framed by long lashes that intensify his gaze. His lips are plush and full, effortlessly curving into a charming smile that radiates tenderness with a hint of mischief as I study his features.
I lay my hand along his jaw, feeling the rough texture of his stubble against my palm. My touch is tender, thumb lightly brushing over his bottom lip. Our gaze connects, making me feel exposed. I step back, then steel myself to take the next step. I lift the hem of my t-shirt and stand there, dressed only in my jeans, breasts spilling over the top of my bra as I heave out a stuttered breath.
Cade takes the hat off his head and places it on mine. Does he know about the cowboy hat rule? Surely not.Wear the hat, ride the cowboy.
“Damn, baby. You’re a sight for sore eyes.” And then he’s on me. All hands and teeth and tongues. I feel his palms skate over my hips to the place where my ass and thighs meet, and then I’m hoisted up his torso until my legs are wrapped around his waist, the cowboy hat tumbling to the ground as we get lost in each other.
“Cade, put me down! You’re going to hurt yourself.”
“I can handle it.” He takes a few steps into the room and sits on the edge of the King size bed as I’m straddling his hips. “Now ride your cowboy, baby. Those are the rules, after all.” He gives me a look, telling me everything I need to know.He read the book.
I’m momentarily breathless until he grabs my hips and grinds my core down on his impressive erection — he’s huge — and it feels too good. I could come just like this. He sinks his teeth into the spot where my shoulder meets my neck and I can’t contain the moan that escapes my throat. He smells like sex and sandalwood and I want to bathe in it. His tongue glides along the mark he left with his teeth, soothing the sting.
Cade drags my bra down to expose my nipples and suddenly his mouth is on me. This is heaven. “Cade, I need…”
