Page 69 of Tangled with the Tight End

I pull back and cradle her face. “I love you, Norah. I realize this is complicated with living in two different places, and my divorce isn’t finalized, but I need you to know that I want you in my future. Hell….” My voice is gruff as I swallow. “You are my future. You and Gino.” I shrug as I go on. “And any other children we might have together. When I return to work,nothing changes, we’re together. We just work in two different locations.”

Her eyes glisten under the lights as she wraps her arms around my neck. “I love you, too, and I love everything you said.” She sobers. “I’m not going to pretend I won’t be sad when you and Gino go back, but I’ll survive, and the reunions will be that much sweeter.”

I kiss her lips chastely so as not to offend anyone in the cookie decorating station. It’s soft, tender, and over too soon.

Gino chatters to the kids next to him, swipes his finger through the frosting, and sucks it off his fingertip. Here it comes. The sugar rush. But it doesn’t stop the smile from forming on my face.

Norah leans forward. “Why did you put blue on your tree?”

He spins around and looks at her like that’s a dumb question. “Because you have blue eyes.”

Lord, save me. My heart pangs in my chest. Could Baron bump up the divorce? I want to get rid of Sloane so I can ask Norah to marry me. The thought smashes into me like an avalanche. A few weeks ago, I was determined to live a single life once the divorce was finalized. Falling in love again? That was out of the question. Marriage? No fucking way.

Then, I ran into a spitfire of a woman who knocked me off my feet and changed my entire world. We were destined to meet. There’s no question that she’s the woman I’m meant to be with.

I need to call Baron. Tomorrow. I’ll call him tomorrow. Tonight is for the three of us.

thirty-seven

NORAH

After the treelighting and a sleigh ride through the countryside, we make it back to the lodge with a tired Gino sagging in my arms. He yawns and adjusts his head on my chest.

“And you were worried about a sugar rush.”

“I forgot about the other activities. The adrenaline rush of being up close to horses and riding in a sleigh zapped that sugar right out of him.” He scoops Gino from his arms. “I’ll put him to bed and be right back.”

I nod and turn to the tree, studying the twinkling lights, old fashioned ornaments, and silver tinsel. The tree is gorgeous with its nostalgic presentation, and fits the theme of the lodge to a T.

Once I walk to the window that overlooks the mountains and valley down below, I sigh. How lucky am I to have found an amazing guy with an adorable son who loves this place where I grew up? Beyond lucky. My ex hated Evergreen Lake. I grin as Gabriel’s reflection grows in the windowpane. Masculine. Sexy. A feral leer on his face.

I spin on my heel. “I must be an amazing tour guide.”

“As a matter of fact, you are.” He pulls me flush against his body. “I think you’re a witch because a few weeks ago, I thought this place was ridiculous with its lack of amenities. Inever thought for one second that I’d be eager to finish a football season to rush back here to see my woman.”

I arch an eyebrow and rock into his tight abs and jutting erection. “Your woman?”

“Yes, baby, you’re my woman, and it’s about time I showed you that.”

In seconds, our clothes are tossed onto the floor, and he lays me down beside the tree. The lights flash, leaving rings of red, blue, yellow, and green on the side of his face that is closest to the tree. I trail my hands along his sides and relish the groan that emits from his lips.

He cups my face. “Norah, I love you. Thank you for not flipping me off and dismissing me because of my shitty attitude when we met.”

I open my legs to him and arch against his body. His weight on me and the sincerity in his eyes drive a wildfire through me. “Your son made up for it. He was cute enough for both of you.”

He chuckles low in his throat, sending a vibration to my core. “You’re horrible.”

I caress his back, content with the understanding that he means what he’s saying. He wants to be with me. I’m his choice. I’m not someone who trapped him. He chose me. “I love you.”

And then words aren’t necessary. He slides inside of me slowly and thoroughly. With each inward thrust of his cock, I gasp and mewl my pleasure. The friction builds as he moans my name. I wrap my leg around his back and tip my lower body upward.

From this position, the head of his cock; slices against my G spot, and stars fill my eyes. “That feels so good.”

His control breaks, and he pounds into me. I gasp as spasms rock my body.

“Norah,” he groans my name and jerks against me, stilling and grunting as he orgasms deep inside of me.

We make love until the clock above the mantel chimes 2 a.m. Then, he carries me upstairs, and we make love again until my muscles are sore, but in the sweetest way possible.

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