Page 95 of Fall at Once

He stood at my back, and I watched, rapt, as the hand at my hip caressed a path down my body over the soft curve of my belly to cup me between my legs while the other continued to play with my nipple. “Look at us, Madi. You belong with me.”

“Show me more.” The warmth of his body against my back was intoxicating. He surrounded me, and I was enraptured—so in love with him that I was drunk with it.

His chin dropped to my shoulder as he slid inside me again, pushing me forward with his chest against my back until my hands came to rest on the bench. His palm wrapped around my jaw, keeping my head up so I could see everything he was doing.

In and out, he drove into me until we were both out of control and panting. Our gasping groans fogged up the glass, leaving us in our own little world up here as we fell apart to shatter into shimmering starlight together.

He swept me up and carried me to bed. We stared at each other as he wrapped me tight in his arms. The light filtering through the window glowed against our bare skin while the shadows from the wooden panes tied us together in shadowy vines.

“I love you, Madi,” he murmured, pulling me closer to kiss the top of my head.

“I love you too. You’ve shown me nothing but kindness, love, and understanding every day since I met you, and I love you more than I can ever say.”

This was a new beginning, one I hoped would never end. I glanced down at his body as he settled beside me, and I finally felt completely at home here.

Home.

How could I leave Cozy Creek? I knew I’d found everything I could ever want with him.

I couldn’t.

I wouldn’t.

Hewas my home now.

I drifted off to sleep in his arms.

Everything else would sort itself out over time as long as we had each other.

Epilogue

Madi

Iwoke up to sunlight on my face and joy in my heart. Cole couldn’t spend the entire night with me. He had to get back to his kids. But we’d fallen asleep together, and now I knew what it felt like to wake up in his arms. It was dark when he had to go, but that didn’t take away from the contentment I’d felt when I saw his sleepy eyes crinkle at the corners as he smiled at me before he got up.

After he left, I looked around my room and at the cats and thought about all the things currently making me feel like I was floating on a cloud. I washome,and I was never going to leave.

My phone pinged with an incoming text, and a smile burst across my face. It had to be him.

COLE: Good morning, gorgeous. I’m counting the days until we can wake up together every day.

MADI: I can’t wait. See you at dinner tonight.

COLE: Sooner if I can get away.

He planned to tell his kids about us at breakfast so we could all go to the bachelor auction dinner together. I knew they liked me, but I was still a bit nervous.

Being friends with Gigi’s granddaughter from across the street was much different than liking the woman your dad was dating.

I sat at the edge of the bed, slipped into my robe, and grabbed the closest cat for a snuggle. Kenny purred against my neck, then butted his head against my chin. “I know. I’m happy for me, too,” I whispered into his soft fur.

Another text came through.

NATALIE: Madi!! I’m so happy right now! Dad said we’re going with you tonight for dinner. Ev is happy, too.

MADI: I’m so glad you guys are okay with this! I’ll see you all later. Talk soon.

I reread Nat’s message, not quite believing that this could be real.

---