As I come down from my orgasm, he lies back on the bed, panting, eyes on fire, and watches as I begin to move again, my breasts swaying with the motion of my riding him hard, gripping him. I lean back and also cup his scrotum in my hand. His eyes cross and then roll back in his head as I feel his balls lift and tighten. He bucks his hips and cries out as he comes inside me, grinding against me, riding the long wave of his climax.

He’s sweaty and panting as I press a kiss to his neck and lay my head on his chest.

“That was fun,” I comment lightly.

“That was life affirming.” He chuckles. “I hope you’re not too sore because I plan to stay inside you for the majority of the night.”

“I’m good with that plan.” I bite his neck gently, then lick it before pressing an openmouthed kiss on the tender skin.

“Keep that up and I’ll pull you under me and begin round two right now.” His voice is light, but rough with renewed lust.

“Easy, tiger. I’m hungry.”

“I’ll call for takeout.”

“No need.” I lift off him and pull the shirt he wore all day over my shoulders, leaving it unbuttoned. “I have dinner in the oven.”

“You do?” He raises an eyebrow in surprise.

“I can cook.”

“You can?”

“Just because I don’t often, doesn’t mean I can’t,” I inform him haughtily.

“What else can you do?” He rises from the bed and pulls his shorts on.

“Lots of things.”

“Name two.”

“I can play the piano.”

“Holy shit, I had no idea.” He’s watching me with a half smile and appreciative eyes. “And the other?”

“I can make you hard with one touch,” I respond playfully, and cup his semihard dick through his underwear.

“Oh, sweetness, that was never a secret.”

Epilogue

ONE MONTH LATER

“Can I interrupt for a bit?” Ty asks as he saunters into my office.

I’ve been working all morning. I push back from the desk and grin at him as I stretch. Sir Fuzz is curled up in my lap and yawns, stretching his paws out before him at the intrusion, then curls up and falls back to sleep, making us laugh.

“Fuzz won’t be pleased, but I could use a break.” I lift the growing kitten from my lap and lay him on my warm, vacated seat.

After the incident with Jack, Ty had my whole office redecorated. The furniture is new and arranged differently from before. Even the carpet and wall paint are new. The book covers have been repaired and are hanging on the wall again.

This office is brand-new, so I don’t have any bad memories here.

He thinks of everything.

“What’s up?” I cross to him and twine my arms around his neck, leaning in for a kiss.

“How do you feel about taking a walk? Getting some fresh air?”

I glance out the window and frown. “It’s raining.”

“I have an umbrella.” Something in his eyes looks uncertain.

“Are you okay?” I kiss him softly.

“I’m great. I’d just like to take you for a walk.”

“Okay, I’m game.”

He grins and pulls me out of the office, then bundles us both into coats and scarves, grabs a big, red umbrella, and leads me outside.

“It’s so weird that all the snow melted off.” I shuffle down the steps of the porch and wait for him to open the umbrella.

He holds it over us, grasps my hand with his free one, and guides me down the driveway to the path that leads to the bridge. “It’s been an odd fall, that’s for sure. When winter does finally set in, I’m afraid it’s going to be a doozy.”

“Doozy?” I tease him. “Who says doozy?”

“Okay, it’s going to be a bitch.” He laughs and kisses my forehead.

“As long as we have snow for Christmas, I’ll be happy.”

“I’m pretty sure you have nothing to worry about.”

We slosh through the rain on the paved trail to the bridge. It smells like wet leaves and winter. Despite its not being cold enough to snow, my cheeks are cold and we can see our breath in the cool air.

“It could snow tonight, if the temp drops,” I mention casually.

“Mmm.” I glance up at him, and he’s watching the path ahead, his eyes far away. I wonder what he’s thinking, but rather than intrude, I fall quiet and enjoy the walk.

We finally get to the top of the bridge, my favorite spot, and we stop to lean on the stone railing, watching the water below, the mountain ahead. The world is silent around us, aside from the rushing of the water.

It’s tranquil. Peaceful.

Perfect.

“I love this place.” I take a deep breath.

“I know.” He grins. He pulls me into his arms, hugging me in that special way he does, rocking us back and forth, still managing to hang on to the umbrella. “I have something to say, sweetness.”

“Okay,” I mumble against his chest, comfortable in his embrace. “Shoot.”

He pulls back so he can see my face, tucks a strand of hair that has escaped my hat behind my ear. “I love being your friend, Lo. Having you in my life and choosing to be your friend is the best thing I ever did. But falling in love with you has been effortless.”

I swallow hard as I watch him watch me, his mind moving a thousand miles a second.

He cups my face in his hands. “You have the best heart of anyone I’ve ever met in my life. You’re kind. You make me laugh when I’ve had the worst day, and your voice makes me want to listen to you for hours. You’re so fucking smart, Lo. What you’ve done with your writing makes me so proud, you inspire me to dream with my eyes wide-open.”