Courage (Heroes of Big Sky 1)

“Yeah.” I sigh and rub my hand up and down her back. “You know what would make it better?”

“Hmm?” She looks up at me and I offer her a wicked grin. “Naked snuggles.”

“Who says naked snuggles are better?”

“Uh, literally everyone.”

“Right. You’re full of it, Sam Waters.”

I peel her shirt over her head, unclasp her bra, and turn her onto her back so I can look down at her perfection.

“I’m full of wanting you.” I kiss her chest, right between her breasts. “I never stop wanting you. It’s like a virus that’s spread through me. I’m fully infected by you.”

“Somehow, that’s not particularly flattering.” She laughs and then sighs when I clasp my lips over one hard nipple and give it a firm tug.

“You’re sexy as hell, Natasha.” I kiss my way over to the other breast and pay it the same attention. I love the little sighs and moans that come from her throat as I make love to her.

As I explore every inch of her.

I know her body better than I know mine at this point. And yet, there’s still so much to learn, to explore.

My fingers dive under the waistband of her leggings, and I work the fabric down her hips and over her feet.

And when she’s spread before me, naked and open, I swallow thickly and thank whatever god may be watching for making her this perfect.

This mine.

With reverent fingers, I touch her. Lightly. Gently. And just like that, she comes alive. The blush spreads from her face and runs down her chest as she sighs and bites that plump lip, spreading those gorgeous, long legs for me.

“Are you ready for me, baby?”

“Always,” she moans. “I’m always ready.”

My cock pulses with a heartbeat of its own as I slip inside of her. I have to stop to take a deep breath when I’m fully seated.

She fits over me like a fucking glove. And when she circles her hips and tightens just a bit, I feel like I’ll lose it, here and now.

“Sam,” she breathes as she begins moving with me in the ancient dance of push and pull as we enjoy each other.

“Look at me.”

Her eyes open, and she licks her fingers and then presses them against her clit. I can’t handle it. I pick up the pace, watching with awe as she pleasures herself. And when her climax builds, when her muscles quiver around me, I lean over and whisper in her ear.

“You’re the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen. And you’re mine.”

That pushes her over the edge. She cries out and shudders beneath me, pulling me with her.

Later, when we’re lying in the quiet, still tangled in each other, I know without a doubt that I’m irrevocably in love with Natasha Mills.

Chapter 11

~Natasha~

“Why do we celebrate Thanksgiving?” Kelsey asks. We’re all in the kitchen together, all four of us baking pies for the holiday dinner we’ve been invited to attend up at Ellie and Liam’s home on Whitetail Mountain.

I was grateful when Ellie called. Being around friends to keep my mind off the fact that this is our first holiday season without Monica and Rich is exactly what I think we all need.

“It’s a day to count our blessings,” Sam says and kisses Kelsey on the head. “And to be grateful for all of the good things in our lives.”

“Oh.” Kelsey frowns as if giving it a lot of thought. “I’m thankful for Mrs. Delgado. Because she’s nice and reads good stories.”

“There you go,” I say with a grin and slip the last pie, a huckleberry-cherry, in the oven. “I think our work here is done for now. I have these little tables set up for the pies to cool, so be careful, okay?”

No one acknowledges that I’ve said a word.

“Guys, I need you to be careful around the pies so you don’t knock them over. Got it?”

Not even a glance my way.

“Yo!”

Three heads jerk up and stare at me like I’m crazy.

“I’m speaking, and you need to listen. No funny business around the pies so they can cool and not end up on the floor. Okay?”

“Okay,” they—even Sam—say in unison.

“Can we have pizza now?” Kevin asks. I told the kids earlier that if they helped with the pies, we could have pizza because my oven would be in use all day, and I wouldn’t want to cook dinner.

“I know I’m hungry,” I say with a wink and reach for my cell. “Let’s order some goodies from Ciao, shall we?”

“You’re speaking my love language,” Sam says solemnly.

“What, food?”

“Ciao,” he replies, making me laugh.

I place the order for two pizzas, extra bread, and some tiramisu to share for dessert.

And when we’ve consumed every morsel of pizza, every sweet bite of dessert, Sam and I crash on the couch in remorse, our bellies full as we watch Kelsey and Kevin dancing around the living room from the sugar rush.