I frowned. “I never liked that term.”
“What?”
“Fake marriage. It was never fake for me.” I looked down. “I know it seems like a silly, schoolgirl fairy tale but—”
“Brooke.”
I lifted my gaze to his. “You’re not a silly girl. You’re probably the most mature, level-headed person I know.”
I smiled.
“And this, what’s between us, it isn’t fake. Why do you think I asked about the babies? My goal is to keep you beyond one year. I do believe you said forever.”
How was it possible to feel so happy? “Forever.”
His smile fell slightly. “There will be issues, and yes, we’ll deal with them, but I need to talk to Frank.”
“I hate that I’ve come between you.”
He shifted so that we lay side by side, facing each other. “Actually, while I did feel like you’d been put in the middle, at this point, what has come between us is all on Frank. And while I don’t look forward to facing his shotgun again—”
“What?” I gasped.
“Yes, he met me with his gun. Anyway, I feel like I need to have his blessing.”
“And what if he doesn’t give it?”
Mo ran his hand down my arm and back up to my shoulder. “I won’t stop trying, Brooke. However long it takes.”
I leaned in and kissed him. “Before we do that, can we make love again?”
“You never have to ask for that from me.” He pulled me over him. “But this old man is worn out. I think you need to do all the work.”
I grinned down on him. “You’re not old.”
“Nah. I just like the way your tits bounce when you ride me.”
I laughed. “See, you’re a horny teenager.”
He levered up, his hands cradling my face. “You make me feel young and horny and so fucking happy.”
What more was there to say after that? Nothing. Instead, I just rode his dick to oblivion.
35
Maurice
Laying with Brooke by my side, our love out in the open, I felt like I’d hit a point of perfection in my life. I wondered why it had taken me so long to realize how well this woman fit me. She was what I needed, including her youthfulness. She was right. Whatever obstacle got in our way, we’d figure it out. I wasn’t running for mayor again, so what did it matter if the town thought I was a cliché marrying my young secretary? I wasn’t the first man to do that. Eventually, the next bit of town gossip would come along, and I’d be old news.
The only blip, which was more like fear, was facing Frank. I couldn’t imagine how he’d ever come around to accepting Brooke and me, but I supposed I had forever to try and make it happen. A part of me was pissed at him for being such a jerk about it. Not because of me. I got how weird it had to be that his friend was in love with his daughter. He had to feel betrayed by that. What angered me was how he dismissed Brooke’s feelings.
It wasn’t lost on me that I had done the same thing to her. Now, though, I had forever to make it up to her. And hopefully, Frank would come around and realize that I only wanted to make her happy, and hopefully, he’d be equally invested in her happiness. Granted, we may never be best of friends again, but if we could be civil, I’d settle for that.
Wanting to get started, Brooke and I showered, where I showed her the joy of shower sex, and then we dressed to head over to Frank’s.
“Maybe when we’re done, we could pick up takeout and bring it to Tucker. We can thank him for helping us,” she said as we drove over to Frank’s.
I took her hand and brought it to my lips to kiss it, feeling a bit embarrassed and yet excited at how romantic I was feeling. “Sure. I can apologize for wanting to beat the shit out of him.”