We stared at one another for a few minutes, neither of us saying a word.
Finally, I broke the silence. “I have to leave town for a few days.”
She lifted her brows.
“It’s a benefit ride I agreed to do before…um…before Dad died.”
“Where at?” she asked as she settled her hands in her lap.
“Colorado Springs. Would you like to come?”
Her eyes widened, and I couldn’t help but notice the corner of her mouth twitch with the urge to smile. “I haven’t seen you ride in a long time. Since high school.”
I placed my hand over my heart. “You haven’t even watched me on TV?”
Merit’s cheeks turned a beautiful shade of pink. “That doesn’t count.”
Reaching for her hand, I flashed her a smile. “It counts in my eyes.”
She dug her teeth into her lower lip and grinned. “Then, yes, I’ve watched you ride a number of times.”
Something about her confession made my heart feel like it swelled up in my chest. I drew in a deep breath and exhaled. “I’ve missed you.”
Her eyes searched my face. “I’ve missed you, too.”
“Then we agree we have a lot of catching up to do?”
Merit nodded.
“It only makes sense for you to come with me. Besides, if you think I’m going to leave and not be able to kiss you for more than twenty-four hours, you’re crazy.”
A wide smile grew across her face. “When are you—”
“We,” I corrected with a wink.
“When are we leaving? I’ll need to let Michael and my mother know.”
“Next weekend.”
Her mouth dropped open in surprise. “Oh, wow. Okay.”
“Will you be okay to travel? I mean, with the morning sickness and all.”
“I’ll be fine,” she answered.
I nodded, then stood and reached down to help her up. “I have no idea what time it is, but I’m sure my mother is worried.”
“I sent out a text earlier this morning when I woke up. My mom, brother, Timberlynn, Lincoln, your mom, and Libby all texted. I told them I’d been exhausted and just needed some sleep. Your mom asked if you were with me. I said you were; I hope that’s okay?”
With a chuckle, I pulled her into my arms. “Of course, it’s okay. I don’t want to hide my feelings for you anymore, Merit. I’ve done it for too many years.”
She reached up onto her toes and kissed me softly on the cheek. “I need to brush my teeth before I kiss you properly. I just threw up, remember? I keep an extra toothbrush in the top right drawer, just in case. It’s yours if you want it.”
With a quick kiss on the tip of her nose, I replied, “Thank God. I’m dying to kiss you.”
Once we both finished brushing our teeth, I kissed Merit properly. Her little moans nearly drove me insane. I picked her up, sat her on the bathroom sink, and slipped my hand between her legs.
“You’re so wet, baby,” I murmured against her mouth.
“I want you, Dirk. Now.”
“The bed,” I said as I went to pick her up.
“Here. Now.” She wrapped her legs around me and pulled me to her. “I need you now.”
I smiled. “On the bathroom counter, Bugs?”
She chewed on her lip and met my gaze. “I’ve been so…”
“So?” I prompted.
“Horny. Pregnancy hormones cause that, apparently. I feel like I’ve become addicted to you. God, I want you to fuck me right here, Dirk, and I’m not even embarrassed to say it.”
My damn legs nearly buckled. Hearing that come out of Merit’s mouth did something to me. “Christ Almighty, woman. You keep talking like that, and I’m going to take you on every surface in this house.”
Her eyes darkened, and she nodded. “I like the sound of that.”
My cock grew painfully hard as I took it in one hand, grabbed her by the ass, and pulled her to the edge of the counter.
“Is this what you want?” I asked as I rubbed it against her wet pussy.
She nodded and opened her mouth, but no words came out. She looked down at my cock in my hand and whimpered.
“My cock inside you?”
“Yes, please.”
“Say it. Let me hear that pretty little mouth say it.”
Her eyes jerked up to meet mine. She paused for a moment, then said, “I want your cock inside me. Dirk, please don’t make me beg you.”
I positioned myself at her entrance and pushed inside. She gasped as she grabbed onto my shoulders.
“You will never have to beg for me to be inside you, Merit. Never. I’m yours. Only yours.”
She dropped her head back as I moved in and out of her.
“Say it, Merit. Say I’m yours and only yours.”
“Oh God, Dirk!”
I slowed my pace and pulled almost all the way out of her. “Say it. I need you to know it. To believe it.”
She lifted her head and met my gaze. Her mouth formed a slight O shape as she breathed rapidly. “You’re mine, only mine. And I’m yours. Forever yours.”