Page 83 of Every Beat of My Heart

I got lost in her mouth and her hands for a few minutes before I pulled her off. “I want to be inside you.”

Heat flashed in her eyes as we shifted positions. She pulled off her shirt as I tugged down her sweats.

I kissed her clit, feeling grateful to be in this position with this incredible woman. She’d let me into her body and her life, and I wouldn’t take any of it for granted.

I’d treasure her. I’d worship her.

She arched into my mouth, and I circled her clit with my tongue, keeping my touch featherlight.

“You’re torturing me.” She groaned in frustration.

I chuckled. “But what a way to go.” I added a finger inside her, searching for that bundle of nerves that would drive her wild. I wanted Claire to feel good and remember this day as the one where I made her feel things and took her to heights she’d never reached.

I slowly worked her up, curling my hand over her G-spot as I sucked on her clit. When she was close, I moved up her body, pressing kisses to her stomach and her breasts, then slid inside of her. It felt like the most natural thing in the world. I never wanted to be anywhere else except inside of her. “You feel incredible.”

Her cheeks were flushed as her hand came up to palm my cheek. “You do too.”

I moved to kiss her palm, reveling in the emotions rolling around inside my chest: tenderness, protectiveness, and maybe even love for this woman.

I’d never felt this connection with anyone else, and maybe it was because she was meant for me. If Cole could love Daphne despite our family’s rivalry, then we could overcome any perceived barriers to make this work.

I moved slowly inside her, relishing the sensations of her walls surrounding my dick. The room around me seemed hazy. The whole morning had a dreamlike quality to it. One I didn’t want to end.

This time when we crested the wave, we did it together, and we sat in each other’s arms for a while. Finally, the light brightened, and I sat up. “We should get cleaned up and dressed just in case.”

Claire nodded. “That’s smart.”

Then my stomach rumbled. “I’m ready for lunch.”

We took a second shower, quicker this time, then dressed.

We had bread but no lunch meat so we couldn’t make sandwiches. Instead, I whipped up some French toast.

While we ate, Owen texted. He’d heard about the tree and wanted to go now.

“Are you ready to get a tree?”

Claire nodded eagerly. “Do you think it will be icy outside?”

“It says it’s warming up. It should be fine. That field gets the sun.” Which was out now. We waited for the rest of the family to join us at the cottage. Then we rode with them, grabbing the spare set of shoes for Claire.

It seemed like everyone thought it was a good idea to cut down their tree before the farm opened later today and it was overrun with customers wanting to get a head start on the holiday.

When we got to the field, we separated from the others. Owen staying with us. I grabbed a saw and gloves from the bed of Cole’s truck, intending to have Owen help me cut it down.

Claire was concerned that he didn’t have a male role model to show him things, and I intended to be that person for him.

We stood back while Owen examined the trees, finally deciding on a tall and fat one that he claimed would look good in the living room.

“You’re going to help me cut it down,” I said to Owen. I knew he was cautious after the fire, but it was important for him to move past that trauma. Otherwise, he’d always be fearful. I didn’t want that for him. There was a difference between being cautious and smart, and fearful and holding yourself back. Owen was doing the latter.

“Lay on the ground on your side so you can get close to the trunk.” I squatted down next to him. “You’re going to want to cut here.”

“Claire. Can you hold the top so it doesn’t fall over?”

“You got it,” Claire said with a smile, moving to find the stem through the branches.

I could feel their excitement. How had her ex never done these things with them? He was lucky to have a family. Why would he spend his time holed up in an office when he could be spending time with them?

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