Page 74 of Stables

“I’d make sure Paisley is safe.” I blurt out my first thought.

She’s the most important thing to me.

A smile flickers over his lips before he reaches out and tucks an errant strand of hair behind my ear. It tickles, and sends a quiver down my spine to pool in the depths of my belly.

“That’s what makes you an amazing mother.” The rhythm of his thumb is doing crazy things to my insides. “What would you buy for yourself?”

“It’s going to sound silly.” I bite my lip in a struggle to fight down the embarrassment, the selfishness of my thoughts.

The whites of his teeth flash below his dark mustache as he laughs. “No limit, remember? What would it be?”

“Um.” I glance at Paisley before putting my empty mug down. “Okay, there’s these little chocolate truffles…”

His eyes narrow as he straightens. “Char?”

I must have made him mad.

“I told you it was dumb, I’m sorry.” I’ll just get everything cleaned up.

I pull away and start to stand, but his grip snugs on my hip.

“No,” he growls. “It isn’t. It makes me want to take you to town right now to buy out the store.”

It’s my turn to squint at him. “There’s a lot more worthwhile things than candy.”

“Then I’ll buy those for you, too.” When he stands, he towers over me, leaving me eye level with his very muscley pecs.

Not a bad view.

“Dixon, it’s not that big of a deal, I promise. I’m not worth a special trip—”

His palms cup my cheeks as he squats in front of me. With thinned lips, his jaw clenches sending starbursts up his temple.

“Char. You’re the kind of person that empires are built for. Let me buy you the damn chocolate.” His mahogany gaze focuses on the tears that spill from my eyes.

Salty droplets collect on the corner of my mouth.

I can’t take it anymore. With a sniffle, I wrap my hands behind his neck and pull him close enough that I can finally taste him.

Softly, tenderly, I press my lips to his.

I want him to know how much I appreciate him. How much his patience and his presence means to me.

That he makes me feel valued, wanted.

Seen.

His groan vibrates against my mouth as his fingers tangle into my hair, drawing me tighter before his hot tongue traces the seam of my lips.

I give in, opening myself to be claimed by the slow urgency of his kiss.

He’s almost tentative, but so damn sure, drawing me to taste him, then driving deeper with an intensity I’ve never experienced.

And I don’t want him to stop. Fire rages through me. I swear I’m going to erupt in flames. I want him to touch me everywhere, to soothe the raging inferno that’s ignited within me.

I beg him to own me with my lips, to melt into him so I don’t have to think, just experience.

“Mommy, all done.” Paisley’s arm sneaks out and grips my shoulder.

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