“I’m supposed to carry you over the threshold, right?”
I laugh. “If that’s what you’re doing, I must’ve slept through something important,” I say dryly.
He quirks one eyebrow and shoots me a cocky grin. “Oh trust me, I won’t let you sleep through any of the good stuff.”
I wrap my arms more tightly around his neck and he bends his head to kiss me. When his lips meet mine, there is fire, just like always. But there’s something else, too. Something deeper, sweeter. More meaningful. It makes my heart sing like his kiss makes my toes curl.
He carries me into the bedroom and lays me down on the bed. He starts to lie down beside me, but I stop him. This time is different. It feels different. And I want to start things off with a bang. Pun intended.
I come up onto my knees and move to the edge of the bed. Smiling up into his eyes, I don’t say a word. I just set about untucking his shirt. Just like I was doing the first time we met. It takes only a few seconds for understanding to dawn on him. And I know the instant it does. His lips twitch and his brow rises, much like that first night, and he spreads his arms out, away from his body, also much like he did that first night.
I giggle as I stand up on the bed to peel his shirt off him and toss it aside. I can’t think of a more perfect way to start this new leg of our relationship. It’s almost like we’ve come full circle and we’re getting another chance. And if that’s the case, I plan to make the most of it.
Dropping back onto my knees, I place my mouth over one flat nipple, flicking it with my tongue until it forms a tight bud, then sucking it into my mouth. I hear him gasp.
“Even then, I knew you’d be a handful.”
I look up at him as I drag my lips down his stomach. My fingers are already working his zipper loose.
“Baby, you have no idea.”
I know by his smile that he’s happy. And that’s all that matters.
********
Nearly an hour later, Cash is resting on top of me, his weight braced on his forearms. We’ve been lying like this for several minutes, just enjoying the feel of him softening inside me, the feel of his skin against mine, the feel of the world so quiet around us.
When Cash lifts his head and looks down into my eyes, there’s a wealth of emotion in the dazzling depths, so much so that it brings tears to my eyes. I think of what he told me earlier and I smile up at him. Cupping his handsome face, I whisper against his lips, “Welcome home.”
When he kisses me, I know we’re both where we belong.
EPILOGUE - Duffy
The lock was too easy to pick. Duffy thinks it’s funny that rich people think they’re safe, think they’re protected against any intruders as long as they’ve got a security system. He actually laughs out loud before he shushes himself.
If they only knew….
Making his way through the darkened rooms, Duffy finds what he’s looking for—her bedroom.
Duffy will be making a call to the landlord at midnight, complaining of a television being left on too loud. In this apartment. He’ll demand that the tenant be notified and ordered to reduce the noise. She’ll come home to take care of it and Duffy will be waiting for her. With his van parked outside.
Duffy is nothing if not patient. He’ll see a good plan through to the bitter end. And theirs is a good plan. They only need her long enough to get the books. And then Duffy can get rid of them both. Easy peasy.
Moving to the space behind her bedroom door, Duffy dials the landlord’s number to make the false report. When he hangs up, he calls his boss.
“Yeah, I’ll bring her tonight. I’ll have you the books by sunrise. Then I’ll get rid of them both.”
Flipping his ancient cell phone shut and stuffing it in his pocket, Duffy settles in to wait.
For Olivia Townsend.