Page 80 of The Cottage on Pelican Bay

Draping his arm over her shoulder, he led her into the cottage.

“Now about those pleas,” Saint said, placing Zara on the bed after stripping off her clothes and she had removed his.

It hadn’t been much for him to take off hers. However, since he’d worn a pair of jeans and buttoned shirt, it had taken her a little longer to undress him. A rush of desire clawed at her insides with every button she’d undone. Then, when his shirt was off, she had taken the time to reacquaint her hands with his broad chest and sculpted abdomen in between his potent kisses.

When she’d removed his jeans and boxers, they’d dropped to his ankles in a whoosh. But he’d refused to let her toy with his libido any longer. She hadn’t protested when he had swooped her into his arms to carry her over to the bed.

The expression in the depths of his eyes sent a throb of desire rushing through her veins. When he moved into place above her, knowing what she was about to get, her body arched up to meet the downward thrust she knew he was about to make. Sexual need curled inside her stomach and then an intense mating between them began.

She moaned as her body was bombarded with sensation after sensation. The feel and smell of him sent her body into a daze of pleasure that only he could deliver. When he leaned in and captured her mouth, she dug her heels into his back and continued to arch in to meet his thrusts. His tongue stroked the inside of her mouth with the same intensity and rhythm that his manhood stroked between her legs.

When he threw back his head to groan out her name, simultaneously she screamed out his. She felt the spasmodic tightening of both their bodies, and she clung to him. Now that she knew he loved her, she didn’t intend to ever let him go.

A smiling Margie opened the door to Levi. After their decision to become a couple last night, she had invited him to Sunday morning breakfast. Afterward, they would take the river taxi to New Orleans, where they would spend the entire day.

“Good morning, Levi,” she said, moving aside for him to enter the house.

“Good morning, Margie,” he said, returning her smile. “You look pretty this morning.”

“Thanks.” She closed the door behind him.

“And these are for you,” he said, handing her a bouquet of fresh-cut flowers in a clear vase. “They came from my garden.”

Her smile widened. “And you picked them this morning just for me?”

“Of course I did.”

She placed the flowers on the table in the foyer and leaned in to brush a kiss across his lips. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He looked around. Although he saw Butterball, he didn’t see Mr. Chelsey. “Your dad has left for church already?”

“Yes. They serve breakfast to those who attend Sunday school.” She grinned. “He says he likes my breakfast, but the ladies at church were serving shrimp and grits today and he refused to miss out on that. Pastor Dawkins picked him up moments ago.”

“We’re here alone?”

She grinned. “Not really. There’s Butterball.”

Levi glanced over at the feline and said, “Close your eyes, cat.” He took Margie in his arms.

She had enjoyed his kisses last night and was definitely loving the one he was giving her now. They had agreed to take things slow, but each time he kissed her she wanted to tell him to speed things up a little. To speed things up a lot.

When he released her mouth, she dropped her head to his chest to draw in a deep breath. When she raised her head, she looked into dark eyes that had the ability to stir a degree of passion in her she hadn’t thought she would ever feel again. She said, “I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but I like your kisses. Maybe too much.”

He grinned. “And I love giving you my kisses, and for me there will never be too much.”

She laughed, loving the feel of his hands at her waist. “I might as well tell you that I told Dad about our decision this morning.”

Levi raised a brow. “You did?”

“Yes. He said it’s about time because he could tell we liked each other. Dad thinks you’re a fine young man.”

“Young man?” Levi shook his head. “My young days are over, trust me.”

“Then I will bring them back because I refuse to feel old, Levi. At least, not too old.”

“That sounds good to me.”

“Dad also said he expects us to go to church with him sometime.” She paused a moment and then said, “He told me why he thought you stopped going. After your wife died some of the single ladies in church became overeager and wouldn’t give you a moment’s rest.”

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