The Amendment (The Contract 2)

“Hi,” I breathed out.

Katy beamed, her eyes misty with tears. “Hello. You seem taller than I remember.”

“Thanks to you, I am.” I glanced down at Heather. “She is really okay?”

Katy cupped my cheek, and I leaned into her palm. “She’s going to be fine, Richard. And so are you.”

I covered her hand with mine. “Yeah, I am. So are we.”

She beamed. “We’re gonna be great.”

I kissed her again. She was so close, and she smelled enticing.

She smelled like home.

Colin clapped me on the back, startling me. I had forgotten anyone else was here. I turned and met his pleased gaze.

“Well done, Richard. I knew it.”

I turned and looked at Graham and Laura. They were both smiling, their expressions proud. Laura’s eyes glimmered under the lights, and even Graham’s looked suspiciously damp.

“I’m training for a marathon next,” I deadpanned.

Everyone laughed—myself included. My chest felt lighter, my head clearer, and my body felt more like me. I still had a lot of work ahead of me, but I now knew, without a doubt, I could do it.

I was ready to reclaim my life.

Richard fucking VanRyan was back.

Graham stepped forward and clapped my shoulder.

“That he is.”

I chuckled, realizing I had spoken my words out loud.

Without a thought, I released the handles I was clutching and pulled Graham in for a hug. He hesitated, then gripped me hard, patting my back like a father would do to a son.

“I’m proud of you, Richard. You fought back. You did it.”

The paternal gesture and his quiet statement made me hug him harder.

“Thank you,” I said. “Thank you for everything.”

He drew back, his eyes no longer damp, but wet.

“Thank me by coming back to the office. We miss you.”

I gripped his shoulder and shook it. “Done.”

I met Katy’s watery gaze.

“I love you,” I mouthed.

Her smile was my reward.Katy crawled into bed with me, snuggled into my side, and rested her head on my chest. I groaned as I shifted.

“Are you all right?”

I nodded. “Colin warned me that getting the sensation back in my legs was going to hurt. He’s fucking right.”

Between rushing after Heather, walking for everyone, moving around the house with my walker, and sitting on Gracie’s bed as I read to her for over an hour, I was exhausted. But I wasn’t ready to sleep yet. Mentally, I was still wide awake.

“Do you want some pain killers?”

“No. As weird as it sounds, I want to feel it. I never thought I would get to this point, so aches and all, I’m going to go with it.”

She laughed softly. “You’re right, Richard. You are weird.”

I dragged her up my chest, enjoying her little gasp of surprise.

“You wanna help me forget about the aches, Katy?” I murmured in her ear, biting her lobe. “Make me think about something else?”

She squeaked as I pulled her over top of me, making her gasp as I gripped her waist and lifted her in the air the same way I did Gracie. She stretched out her arms, her hair falling forward, brushing my chest.

“I’m flying!” she giggled. It had been a long time since I’d made her giggle. I loved hearing the sound.

I eased her down and kissed her. Lifted. Brought her back to my mouth. Lifted her again.

“Are you using me for reps?” she asked with a mischievous grin. “Or trying to impress me with your super strength?”

“Whatever gets me inside your sweet pussy,” I replied, holding her high.

Her eyes grew round as I lowered her back to my mouth. I gazed into their blue depths, holding her until my arms shook.

“Now,” she begged. “Have me now.”

I lifted my head, capturing her mouth. I let her drop to my chest, wrapping my arms around her tight. I kissed her deeply, sliding my tongue along hers, moaning as a different ache began. Delving my hands under her camisole, I slid them over her curves, cupping her ass and grinding up against her. She whimpered, burying her hand in my hair and tugging on the strands.

“I can’t get on top yet, but I want to be closer to you.” I kissed the column of her neck, tracing the skin with my tongue. She sat up and pulled off her camisole, her full breasts on display. I cupped them, stroking my thumbs over her nipples, feeling her hair brush my thighs as she arched her back, pushing her breasts into my hands.

Impatient, I tugged on the lace that covered her center. It snapped in my fist, and I yanked the wisp of material away. She widened her eyes.

“You’ll be replacing those, VanRyan. I liked that pair.”

“I liked what they covered more.” I teased between her legs, feeling her desire. I wrapped my hand around the base of her neck and brought her back to my mouth.

“I want to try something.”

“Yes,” she responded. “Anything.”

I patted the bed. I wanted to be the one to move her, but I knew I had a way to go for that. She slid beside me with a sexy smirk. “Back or front?”