Page 97 of Fire in My Heart

TEDDY

My elaborate plan worked. I’d cut down two trees and begged Fiona for decorations for the trees and the house. She showed up with boxes of ornaments and lights from the inn.

I had never felt the need to decorate my place before. Not when no one ever saw it. But I wanted Charlotte to feel at home here.

I wanted to invite her into my home and my heart. It seemed like the perfect apology, and thankfully she thought so too.

We’d made love, then enjoyed the lasagna Fiona had coached me through baking in the casserole dish she’d lent me. The house was filled with the scent of marinara, and my bed and heart were filled with Charlotte.

I never thought I’d settle down, much less with a Monroe. But Charlotte burrowed her way into my heart. I never wanted to lose her.

If she’d let me, I’d love this woman forever. I should take this next part of our journey slowly. But nothing about our relationship had been on a normal timetable. And I’d never been in aregular relationship anyway. This thing between us was however we wanted it to be.

Charlotte stretched slowly, then turned her head in my direction. She blinked her eyes open. “I thought it was all a dream.”

“If it is, it’s the best dream I’ve ever had.”

She turned onto her stomach, resting her chin on my chest. “Who knew you were such a romantic.”

“I don’t know about that. Or maybe I am just for you.” I played with a strand of her hair, wondering how I’d gotten so lucky.

“Mmm. What are your plans for the day?”

“I thought we’d recreate Christmas. We can play holiday music and open presents, then watch movies.”

Charlotte’s jaw dropped open. “That’s my idea of a perfect day.”

“We can stay in our pajamas or wear nothing at all, and just enjoy ourselves.”

“Yes, please,” Charlotte said as her eyes drifted closed.

I played with her nipple. “What do you want to do first? Breakfast, presents, or each other?”

Charlotte’s eyes drifted open, and her mouth stretched into a naughty smile. “Any of those options sound good.”

I flipped her so that she was underneath me. “I think I’d like to make you feel good first, then breakfast, then presents.”

“And then we can watch holiday movies the rest of the day?” Charlotte asked.

“Whatever you want, baby.” I was just content that we had the entire day to spend together. The cavern in my chest was slowly healing, and my heart was filling up with love for this woman.

I moved down her body, pleased we hadn’t gotten dressed after our last round of sex, and settled between her legs. I hoped I woke up like this for the rest of my life.

When I built this house, I never imagined living in it with someone. I figured I’d spend more time at the farm, helping my family and enjoying my nieces and nephews. But some part of me must have hoped for someone to fill this house because I’d had the forethought to build one with five bedrooms. It had more than enough room for an expanding family.

She wanted kids, and for the first time, I did too. We had a few other details to take care of first. But I couldn’t wait to start this amazing new life with Charlotte.

I used my fingers and mouth to drive her up and over, then fed my cock into her tight channel. I braced my hands on the bed, on either side of her head, as I lazily thrust into her pliant body.

“I love you so much,” I said as I moved inside her.

Her eyes were glossy. “Me too.”

I leaned down, sucking one nipple into my mouth, loving the way her walls spasmed around me. She was so responsive.

When we peaked, we did it at the same time. I could only describe our reunion as perfection. But I had so much more planned for the day.

We jumped in the shower, where I took her against the wall. Then I showed her the matching Christmas pajamas I’d purchased for us.

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