A sob slipped from her lips. “I … I … I want to so badly, but I’m so afraid.”
My mouth crushed to hers and when she opened to me, I practically exploded when our tongues touched. The kiss was slow, deep, and full of something so much more than passion.
Her hands landed on my chest, causing a burning feeling to hit me.
I loved this woman more than I ever dreamed I could. I needed her to tell me about her stupid-ass plan. She needed to spill it, so we could move past the wall that she’d been hiding behind.
It was so fucked up, but right now all I wanted to do was make love to her. I wanted to coax it out of her, but I knew it had to be on her terms. Picking Charlie up, I walked us back to her bed. Gently placing her down on the soft covers, I crawled over her. Slipping my hand between her legs, I groaned. She was ready for me.
I pushed inside of her and we both groaned.
Lacing my fingers with hers, I pushed her hands above her head and looked into her eyes.
“Listen to me, Charleston.”
Her blue eyes stared into my gray. “There is nothing you could do or say that will make me run or push me away ever again.”
Her eyes filled with tears.
“Th-that’s not true.”
I pulled out and pushed slowly back in, causing her to close her eyes and moan. More tears spilled out onto her cheeks.
“We were meant to be together, Charleston. We’re meant to be together. You know that and I know that, and there’s nothing that could ever divide us again. Nothing.”
I believed it with all of my heart. I have never felt this way before about any other woman. Charlie made me want things and those things only involved her.
Marriage. Kids. All of it and she didn’t have to fucking trick me into it.
When her eyes snapped open. My heart skipped a beat. There was hope dancing in them.
“Tucker,” she gasped.
“Say it.”
Her body arched when I pushed deeper inside of her.
“Goddamn it, say it!” I urged, pulling out and pounding back inside of her.
She gasped for the breath she needed to speak. “We’re meant to be together.”
Smiling, I leaned down and kissed her tear-soaked cheeks.
“Fuck yes we are.”
I wanted to tell her I loved her, but I didn’t. I would, though.
Soon.
And with that, I slowly made love to the woman I had fallen in love seven years ago and continued making love to the woman who’d owned my body and soul for those entire seven years.
MARGE SAT AT the large table looking awkward as her gaze bounced between me and Mitchell Landing.
“What did you find out?” I asked, the nervous edge evident in my voice.
Mitchell cleared his throat, “All but three of the other board members support you, Ms. Monroe.”
Marge smiled a brilliant smile.