Page 57 of Soaring and Saucy

“Can you repeat that – I stopped listening as soon as you admitted that I was hot and amazing,” Lance smiled and pulled her into his arms, dropping a tender kiss on her brow. “Feel free to elaborate on that… okay?”

Stephanie laughed softly and smiled up at him. He loved how soft and pliable she was when they held each other. It was like coming home in a way he didn’t know he needed nor could he explain. Instead, he gazed at her, locking his fingers together at the small of her back, and sighed happily.

“You know this means that I have all this time available,” he began huskily, looking at her. “Whatever shall we do?”

“Well, we could talk…”

“True.”

“We could clean the apartment for the inspection tomorrow.”

“Again, true,” he smiled, brushing his lips softly against hers. “So many ideas - keep going, princess.”

“Hmm,” she said playfully. “Maybe you could – oh, I don’t know – rub my feet again. That was so nice last time.”

“I would love to,” he whispered, reaching back to make sure the deadbolt was set on the apartment and flipping off the light switch near the door. The dining room and hallway lights immediately turned off, leaving them standing together in the glow coming from the bathroom in the distance. “But you know that the foot is connected to the ankle.”

“Oh, I do know,” she smiled. “Does that mean you are going to rub my ankles?”

“I probably should,” he said dramatically. “For posterity, of course. I wouldn’t want to be accused of mistreating my wife someday. I mean, you don’t avoid certain locations because that would be lazy on my part. I’m a very dedicated man, you know.”

“Then you should rub my calves, too.”

“Good idea. Thank you for the suggestion…” he chuckled softly as he started to walk her slowly back to her bedroom. “What else is attached to the calves?”

“I think you know,” she chuckled intimately, and he nearly melted. “Then, of course, there’s the belly. You know a man should rub lotion on his wife’s pregnant belly.”

“Well, it’s our lucky day – isn’t it?” he whispered tenderly, leaning down to kiss her as they passed the doorway to her bedroom. “I’m a man, and you are pregnant.”

“I am,” she breathed, untucking his shirt. “I’ve missed you, Lance… I know it’s been months since New York City, but I really want to touch you.”

“I’m glad, because I’m dying to touch you, my love.”

Stephanie hesitated, her eyes shooting to his.

“I love you, Stephanie,” he murmured softly against her lips, the words pouring straight from his soul. “I never dreamed I would meet someone as perfect as you or that I would fall so hard… but here I am, at your feet, helpless to fight this. I love you, our Peanut, and what you bring to my world.”

“Do you mean it?” she chuckled tearfully, her eyes glistening with emotion. “I mean, we’re still going to fool around, husband. Trust me – I’m a sure thing.”

And Lance laughed with her, delighted beyond belief at his wife’s words, picking her up and setting her on the edge of the bed as he removed his T-shirt. Her eyes raked over him and he could see the desire in those inky depths as she drank him in, touching his belt buckle.

“I mean it with everything in me, Steph… I truly love you.”

“I love you too,” she whispered. “I think I loved you from the first moment I saw your smile when you sipped on that espresso martini. The way you treat me, how you look at me, everything you do around me, for me… all of it speaks of love. I feel so blessed to have been in the right spot at the right time to meet you, Lance. Now, can you get that belt off or what? I cannot figure out that clasp – and toss it in the trash. No roadblocks in our marriage bed, mister.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he grinned, yanking off his belt in one quick move that created a loud pop. That move had impressed more than one lady in the past – and he was grateful it worked on his wife. Her eyes widened and shot up to his as her mouth dropped open right before her smile widened in sublime, carnal approval.

“Oh, that’s a very nice trick… husband,” she purred seductively, and he nearly wept in gratitude and awareness. Oh man, he sure liked girls hitting on him in the past, but having his wife do it?

That was the stuff of legends.

“Wait until you see my next one… wife,” he promised huskily, climbing onto the bed with her.

17

STEPHANIE

Stephanie was sitting on a box, bored to tears. Lance had been so stubborn, firmly putting his foot down against her helping to lift the heavy boxes. Every time she picked one up, he took it from her, gave her this frown, and pointed at the ‘temporary chair’ since the couch was already on the truck. He was covered in sweat, and she felt so guilty because she was perfectly capable of helping and decided to pull a trump card.

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