“Follow me,” I ordered.
Walking into my room, I stepped to the side so Harley could take it all in. It was a large room with a big sitting room at the back. Large windows looked out toward the backyard. Two elegant white chairs sat in the area with a round marble table that contained my grandmother’s oil lamp and one single book. Harley made her way over to the area in silence. She picked up the book, clutching it to her chest as she spun around. Tears streamed down her face.
“You kept the book?” she asked, her voice cracking as she spoke.
“It was your favorite book,” I replied.
Her head shook back and forth. “Tripp, this is the bedroom we talked about having together someday. This is it down to the…to the…” she held out the book.
“Down to your favorite book sitting on the small round table in the sitting area. Waiting for you to sit down and read it.”
“But…I don’t understand,” she managed to get out as she cried just a little harder.
I walked up to her and wiped her tears away. “Deep down in my heart, I was never ready to give up on the idea of us, Lee.”
She chewed on her lip and looked at the floor. “I don’t have the right to ask this, but have you had very many…um…very many…”
I lifted her chin so she could look me directly in the eyes. “I’ve never once brought a woman into this room. Not even Mallory.”
Harley sucked in a breath. “What?”
Glancing at the book in her hands, I smiled. “Sense and Sensibility,” I said as I ran my fingers over the title. My eyes lifted to hers. Taking the book out of her hands, I set it back onto the small table. Cupping her face in my hands, I pressed my lips to hers. When Harley opened to me, I poured every ounce of love I could into that kiss.
Her hands moved up and around my neck, and her fingers laced into my hair. She moaned when I pressed my hard cock into her.
I picked her up in one quick move and carried her to the king-size bed, gently placing her down on it. I dropped to my knees.
“As much as I want to rip your clothes off and fuck you seven ways to Sunday, I need to take my time. I need to love you, Harley.” I realized after showing her the home I’d built—the home I’d subconsciously built for her—that I had all the time in the world with this woman. She was my past, my present, and my future.
She smiled and placed her hands on the sides of my face. I knew she was still in pain from her ribs, and I tried like hell to be careful with her.
“Then love me, Tripp. I’m all yours.”
My hands shook as I smiled at Tripp. The way my stomach knotted you would think this was my first time. The throb on my side was no match for the one between my legs.
Tripp stared at me with hungry eyes. He pulled me into a standing position. “Turn around,” he softly ordered.
I did as he said, feeling the wetness on my panties.
When Tripp’s hands touched my shoulders, I jumped.
Soft lips kissed my neck.
“Are you nervous, Lee?”
A small chuckle slipped out as I answered. “Yes.”
“Why? I’ve made love to you before. Many. Many. Times.” His lips moved down my neck and across my shoulders. “I’ve fucked you plenty of times and plenty of ways.”
My chest rose and fell with each word he spoke. The feel of his hands unzipping my dress had my libido screaming, Move faster!
“My mouth has been on your pussy, tasted you so many times. My fingers have explored every inch of this perfect body. And tonight, I plan on taking my time and learning you all over again.”
“It all feels so new, Tripp… Ten years is a long time but I’m here and I’m not going anywhere. Make love to me, stay with me.” My breath caught in my throat as he pushed the dress off my shoulders, letting it pool at my feet. No man had ever touched me or made me feel the way Tripp had. To say I had a good sex life after Tripp was laughable. I’d been with a few other men, but nothing like what I’d experienced with Tripp. He had taken me to a place of pure delight.
Heaven, if you will.
I couldn’t help but wonder how many women Tripp has been with since I left. I’d heard rumors, some of which I believed, others I chose to ignore. None of that mattered and I needed to push it to the side. What mattered was the here and now.
The past was just that.
The past.
Tripp’s fingers brushed down my sides as he dropped to his knees. I hadn’t worn a bra with this dress so my bare back was on display. The only thing I had left was my black lace thong. Tripp let out a low growl as he slowly peeled it off.
“Fucking hell,” he whispered. I stepped out of both my dress and panties while Tripp placed soft kisses on each of my ass cheeks. He cupped my ass and groaned. Anal sex had always been something he told me he wanted, but I had always been too nervous to go that far with him.
His hand moved up my back while he stood.
“Lean over and put your hands on my bed, Harley.”
I did as he said. Tripp reached around and cupped both of my breasts. He squeezed them gently before moving on to my nipples.
“I’ve missed your body so much, baby.”
My head dropped, and I let out a moan as I felt his hard cock pressed against my ass. When had he undressed?
Glancing back, I saw he had his pants undone, his impressive hard-on jumping with anticipation.
“I’ve missed…you…too.”
Christ. I sound so needy.
The words barely came out between hard gasps of air.
He dropped back down, his hands kneading my ass cheeks again.
“Is this still mine, Harley?”
My teeth sank into my lip so hard I was sure it would be swollen tomorrow. “Yes.”
“Good. Someday…soon.”
I could hear the smile in his voice and my entire body shook with the thought.
“Get down on your elbows, baby. I want to taste you.”
Doing as he said, I leaned over more. My heart was beating so hard I could hear it in my ears.
Tripp lifted my leg and my whole body jumped when he licked between my lips.
“Oh God!” I cried out, gripping the comforter. When he pushed his fingers inside of me, we both moaned.
“Fucking hell, Harley,” Tripp said. “You make me crazy. I need you to lie on your back.”
I stood and gave him a smirk. “So bossy.”
He lifted a brow and pointed. “Now, before I fucking explode in my own pants.”
There was no awkwardness between us. It was as if we had picked up right where we left off. I watched Tripp as he stripped out of his tux. It was the hottest damn thing I’d ever seen in my life. My legs rubbed back and forth as I tried to keep from slipping my hand between them.
“Are you turned on, baby?”
I let out a harsh laugh. “To say the least. You’re teasing me, Mr. Parker.”
“It’s called payback.”
My brows lifted. “Really?”
He nodded as he crawled onto the bed next to me. “For leaving me and trying to decide what was best for me. For us.”
The ache in my chest pulsed.
Tripp’s hand on my stomach forced it away. “Look at me, Harley.”
Trying to keep the guilt and sadness at bay, I turned my head and our eyes met.
“Don’t ever do that again. You’re here. Your mine. And we are going to spend the rest of our lives together making decisions…together.”
“Trust me, I learned my lesson.”
The way he smiled released butterflies in my stomach. When his hand moved south and his fingers slipped into me, his eyes turned dark like a storm building in a beautiful summer sky.
“So fucking wet.”
He moved quickly, spreading my legs and settling between them. After peppering me with a hundred kisses up and down my thighs, Tripp did as he promised, tasting me after all these years.
Finally.
My hands didn’t know what to do.
I went from grabbing the bedspread to running my fingers in his hair, back to the comforter. My body squirmed and jumped as Tripp brought me right to the edge of an orgasm, only to back off. I was dizzy with the need to come. Dizzy with the knowledge that Tripp was between my legs. Driving me on to what would be an explosive orgasm.
“Tripp!” I cried. “Please!”
It didn’t take long after my plea for him to bring out the most intense orgasm of my life. With my eyes squeezed shut, bursts of light matched the pulse inside my pussy. It was intense. Beautiful. Earth-shattering. If I survived this night, it would be a miracle.
When I finally settled back into my mind, Tripp was over me. His hard length pressed against me, creating friction when I lifted my hips to him. I needed more. I needed him.
It had always been this way with Tripp. We could never get enough of each other, and so many years apart only added fuel to the wildfire of our needs.
“Are you on the pill?” he asked, his lips brushing mine. The roughness of his five o’clock shadow was already causing my lips to swell. My entire body was going to be chafed from his unshaven face, but I didn’t care.
“Yes,” I gasped, lifting to feel him against me. “I’m clean. I haven’t been with anyone in a few years.”
Tripp stopped kissing my neck and pulled back to look at me. The guilt in his eyes was evidence of his past relationships. He closed his eyes and I could feel him pulling away. I wrapped my arms around his neck.
“It doesn’t matter. Everything is in the past, remember?” I whispered. He opened his eyes and my breath caught in my throat when I saw his tears.
“I’m sorry, Harley.”
I knew he was apologizing for Mallory. For that day in his office.
With a shake of my head, I stared into his beautiful sky blue eyes. “It’s in the past.”
“I’ve never been with another woman without a condom.”
“And I’ve never been with a man without one,” I replied.
He smiled. “Are you sure about this?”
Hooking my legs around him, I drew him closer. “I’m sure.”
Tripp pressed his mouth to mine as he pushed himself into me. I gasped when he filled me and the beauty of this moment settled into my heart.
I was finally home.
“You feel so good, Lee. God, you feel so good.” I could have sworn I saw his eyes tearing up, even as my own emotions threatened to spill from my eyes. This moment was a long time coming… It was where we belonged… It was perfection.
My fingertips moved lightly over his back, our bodies moving together as one. When I felt another orgasm building, I dug my nails in and called out his name. In that same moment, Tripp lost control. He moved faster. Harder. Our bodies slapped together, echoing in his bedroom. Tripp’s mouth crashed down on mine. My name poured from his lips along with promises to love me for always. And I made the same promises as his body slowed, and he buried his face into my neck. I would never tell him my side was aching. If I did he would get off of me and not do this again. And I so wanted him again.
The moment was everything I had dreamed it would be, and then some. Our hearts felt like they were beating as one. All the lies, the broken hearts, the years we lost…they faded to nothing. This was the beginning of our future.
The beginning of us.
Again.
Hot breath hit my face, causing me to turn my head.
The bed moved and a wet kiss swept over my face. I jerked up and looked around the room.
Where am I?
The memories of last night came rushing back. My cheeks heated as I thought about all the ways Tripp had made me come last night. His mouth, fingers, and dick had taken me on one hell of a ride last night. My body was going to need a long soak in a hot bath.
A small howl made me fly out of the bed and land on the floor. I groaned in pain from my bruised rib. When I looked up, Hemi was staring down at me.
“Hemi?” I asked with a smile on my face. “What are you doing here, girl?”
She leapt off the tall bed and landed right in my arms. I hugged her close and kissed her on the head. I hadn’t been looking for a dog, but thanks to Chloe, I was the proud mother of a daredevil pup.
“I see she finally got you to wake up. Why are you on the floor?”
Tripp stood at the end of his bed, a glass of orange juice in his hand. His eyes swept over my naked body and I could see he was ready to take me again. My stomach growled and I felt my cheeks heat.
“Food. I need energy and I have a feeling I’m going to need a pain pill with the way you’re looking at me right now, Mr. Parker.”
His eyes turned sad. “You’re right. You do need food and your pain meds. Shit, I sort of forgot about your rib last night.”
Reaching down, he took Hemi and placed her next to me before taking my hands and pulling me up.
“Let me get a hot bath going for you. Then we need to talk.”
My breath caught and fear ripped through my body.
“Don’t look at me like that, Harley. I meant every word I said last night, you and I are forever now. This isn’t about us. It’s about the vet clinic. Karen sent me over something this morning from Gerald Harris’s attorney.”
“Oh,” I said, my shoulders sagging. From the look on Tripp’s face, it wasn’t good news.
“That bad?”
He nodded. “He is planning on tearing down the clinic. He plans on building something else on the land he owns.”
My mouth fell open. “Can he do that? I thought Doc said he had paid him back for the land!”
When his gaze fell to the floor, I had my answer.
I was about to lose my dream.
A few weeks later
I sat in my office looking over the paperwork. After trying to find a loophole, I came up with nothing. There was no proof to show that Doc Harris had paid his brother back for the land that the Oak Springs vet clinic sat on. Harley owned the clinic, and Gerald owned the land the clinic sat on. It was a fucked-up situation to say the least.
Karen knocked on the door, and I looked up. “Don’t forget, you have lunch plans with your brothers today.”
“Right,” I said with a nod. “Thanks, Karen.”
She started to leave but stopped. Clearing her throat, she took a few steps back into my office. When I looked up at her, I gave her a questioning look. “I only wanted to say that I’m so happy for you, boss. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so happy.”
My chest tightened. “I don’t think I’ve been this happy in a very long time, Karen.”
A large smile appeared on her face. “You’ll make beautiful babies.”
I laughed. “Thank you? I think.”
She blushed. “Now, go to lunch. You know how cranky Cord gets when he has to wait for his food.”
“True. I’m leaving now.”
I reached for my phone and sent two texts. One to Cord, and one to Harley.
Me: I’m on my way. Order if everyone is there.
Cord’s response was almost immediate.
Cord: Trevor just walked in. We’re waiting on you, so get a move on!
Rolling my eyes, I ignored his text and typed to Harley.
Me: I can’t stop thinking about you this morning.
Her reply didn’t come, and I figured she was busy with patients. Glancing down, I shook my head. Hemi had crashed on the giant ass dog bed Harley had bought when we had made a trip to PetSmart in San Antonio.
“Spoiled ass dog.”
Hemi lifted one eye at me. I tried to hide my smile. This damn dog had somehow managed to wrap me around her little paw. I pretended I didn’t care, but the little stinker knew I was falling for her.
“I’m going to meet your uncles for lunch.”
She lifted up and watched me get my suit jacket on.
“Do not tear up anything or I will throw your ass outside tonight. Got it? Remember, I’m the boss.”
Hemi howled in argument, then did a little whimper that
made me roll my eyes. She didn’t do it very often, but when she did, Harley melted and usually gave her a treat. I, on the other hand, wasn’t as affected by her cuteness. The last thing I wanted was for her to start howling to get a damn treat.
“Behave, mutt,” I called out.
Hemi didn’t bother to answer. She simply laid her head back on the bed and pretended she would sleep the entire time. Both of us knew that was not going to happen.
I shut the door to my office and made my way out. “Karen, before you leave for lunch, will you put Hemi in her crate? I already took her out to pee.”
“Why do you always make me put her in the crate? You walk out and leave her all happy on the bed and then I have to go in like the mean aunt and lock her up in jail.”
Staring at her, I shrugged. “Cause I’m the boss.”
Hemi barked from my office. I swear Harley had taught the damn dog to do it every time I said that.
“The boss!” she scoffed. “Huh!”
I decided to not engage with Karen on this one. “I’ll be back in a few hours. Enjoy your lunch.”
Karen mumbled something as I headed out the door, the word asshole standing out.
As I walked over to Lilly’s place, I saw Mallory outside her store. She was talking to a man in a business suit and her hands were flying all over the place. She didn’t look angry, more determined. We hadn’t talked since that day at lunch before the benefit dinner. I had figured she was going to be angry. I hadn’t expected she would tell me she saw it coming. Especially since I hadn’t touched her since that last time we fucked in my office.
The bell on the door of Lilly’s rang as I stepped inside. Glancing to my left, I saw my brothers, plus Wade, all sitting at the large round table in the back corner.
I pulled out a chair and looked at each of them. They wore cowboy hats and smiles on their faces. Almost as if they knew something I didn’t.
“How’s it going? Y’all look like you’re up to no good.”
Cord spoke first. “I finally fucking figured out your Smurf name.”
I rolled my eyes. “Christ, not this again.”