Sandy - Vested Interest

From now on, everything I had was hers.

I collapsed onto her body, my breathing loud and ragged. Sandy’s chest rose and fell rapidly, her arms holding me tightly. Carefully, I rolled, taking her with me, holding her close.

The room was quiet aside from our breathing. “Are you all right, my darling?”

She nuzzled my neck. “I’m good.”

“That was—” I swallowed, trying to find the right way to say it “—I have no words for how amazing that was.”

She laughed low in her throat. She tilted up her head, meeting my gaze. She looked beautiful—tired, sated, and well loved—but beautiful.

“It was,” she agreed, tracing a finger over my lips. “We were amazing.”

I kissed the tip of her finger. “This changes everything.”

She smiled. “You never mince words, do you, love?”

Her endearment touched something deep in my heart. I kissed her lovingly, nuzzling her lips. “Not when it comes to you, no. You mean too much to me.”

She snuggled closer. “I’m good with that.”

It was still too soon for declarations of love. Our actions showed it, and we both felt it, but the words would be spoken another time.

For now, she was in my arms, and I had no plans on letting her go.

I was good with that.JordanWaking up with Sandy beside me felt as if I were waking to a different world. The last four years, the start of each day contained a small piece of heartbreak when my eyes would open and I realized all over again I was alone.

This morning Sandy was with me. I could smell her light fragrance. Feel the softness of her hair tickle my chin.

There was no heartache, only a sense of rightness. And when I opened my eyes and met her sleepy hazel gaze, I smiled. Her answering smile warmed me. The feel of her body so closely entwined with mine woke other parts of me.

She lifted her head, reaching for me, and we came together. Affectionate kisses, murmured words of assurance, and long, slow movements as we joined, seeking each other’s mouths, tasting and exploring. The feel of us was still new and exciting. Heady and rich. The moments of discovery new and wonderful. Being cradled inside her, surrounded by her heat, was thrilling. Hearing her whisper my name in a long, breathless moan as I moved within her was a turn-on. She was passionate and giving. She liked to be talked to while we made love, her response to my voice pushing us both closer to the edge.

“You are so lovely,” I murmured. “So sexy.”

“Yes, Sandy, touch me like that. Just like that,” I encouraged.

“Say my name, my darling. Say it.”

“Come for me, please. I want to feel you,” I begged.

She lay in my arms in the aftermath, her heat soaking into my body, both of us at peace. I ran my fingertips up and down her arm, pressed endless kisses to her head. She stroked my chest, resting her hand against my neck as she sighed in contentment. It was intimate and right.

We were right.

Over breakfast, we mapped out our day. Sandy talked about all the places she wanted to go, and I scanned the various sites, scheduling around the boat cruise and our evening tour of Salem. Once our day was planned, I sat back and studied her. Sitting at the table, wrapped in a fluffy robe, with her hair gathered up in a knot, askew and messy, Sandy glowed. She was nibbling on a croissant, one leg tucked under her, without a trace of makeup on.

“You are incredibly beautiful.”

She looked up, that flush of color I loved pooling on her cheeks. “Stop it,” she murmured, picking up her coffee.

“You really are. I’ve always thought so, but this morning, you’re simply exquisite.”

She tilted her head, looking impish.

“This morning? I’m a mess. My hair isn’t done, I have no makeup on, and I’m not even dressed.”

I picked up her hand and kissed it. “And yet, you have never looked more beautiful to me.”

Her cheeks darkened further.

“You’re not so bad yourself, Jordan. You hide quite the body under your business clothes.” She sipped her coffee. “Very sexy.”

“I’m glad it pleases you. I enjoy my workouts with Van and Aiden. Keeps me young.”

She picked up her croissant. “And strong.” She winked, looking mischievous. “Your, ah, stamina is impressive.”

“Well, as the song goes, I’m not as good as I once was, but I’m as good once as I ever was.”

She lifted a shoulder, a smile curling her lips. “I’ll take quality over quantity, Jordan. Grade A filet is far better than a run-of-the-mill hamburger.”

I threw back my head in laughter. “You have a way with words this morning, my darling.”

I loved seeing her this way. Relaxed, happy, at ease with me. Tousled and sexy across the breakfast table. It was something I wanted to see every day.