Page 90 of Watercolor Skulls

He smiles at me before leaning over and claiming my lips. My eyes fall closed. I wasn’t sure I would ever see him again, but he came for me. He really does love me.

When he pulls away he frowns. “You’re crying again.”

I laugh and wipe the tears from my face. “It’s a happy cry. I promise.”

“What were you thinking about?”

“You, and how much you love me.” I tuck a piece of my hair behind my ear before gathering the journals and placing them on the nightstand. “You’re the first man to say that to me.” I busy myself, turning all the binds, so they are lined up and facing the same way.

He reaches past me, shutting the light off then he grabs me and pulls me to lay down beside him. Once he has us in a spooning position, cuddled under the covers he whispers in my ear, “I love you. I love you. I love you.” He squeezes me tight.

God there is no better place in the world than right here in his arms. “I love you too.”

“I’m going to make up for all the times you should have heard it but didn’t.” His beard scratches against my cheek.

I raise my hand and hold his face to mine so he can’t move away. “I missed you so much and we were only apart one night. How can that be?”

“We are just one of those luckylove at first sightcouples.”

Turning in his arms, I snuggle into his broad chest. “I was scared I’d never see you again.”

He kisses me slow and deep, making my toes curl before pulling away from me. “I wouldn’t have let that happen.” He kisses me once more before running his hand over my face. “Let’s sleep. I’m fucking beat.”

Laughing lightly, I close my eyes, drifting into a peaceful sleep.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Dan

???

Ikeep my eyes closed, forcing myself to go back to sleep, fighting the urge to get up and take a piss. Lily’s head lands on my stomach, making me grunt lightly. My hand roams down to cup the back of her head. “It’s still dark out,” I murmur sleepily.

She giggles, turning her face to press a kiss against my stomach. I flinch and stifle the grin that is forming on my face.

“You haven’t even opened your eyes,” she teases.

I peek one eye open then the other. “Why are you up so early?”

“I don’t know.” She traces circles lightly over my chest. Suddenly she jumps to a sitting position. “Oh, I know what I could do.” She climbs off the bed, scrounging around for her clothes.

Propping myself up on an elbow, I watch her, amused. “What are you doing?” I ask.

“I’m going to go down and make everyone breakfast.” She shimmies one leg into her jeans and then the other, tugging them over her ass with a little hop.

Shit, that was hot. I lick my lips as I stare at her, my fingers itching to touch her. My eyelids droop right before I lunge for her.

“Dan, no, I’ve got to get started,” she says breathlessly. I suck the sensitive skin under her ear in my mouth. “Please, I need to thank them somehow,” she pleads

I release her neck with a pop and sigh. “Fine, but you can show me your thanks after breakfast.” I smack her ass before pushing her away from me. “I’ll come downstairs and help you.”

She bites her nails, shifting anxiously on her feet. “How do you want me to thank you?” she asks shyly. I’m not fooled, she’s not that shy around me anymore. Maybe a little. But right now, I think Lily is messing with me. She likes these little games we play.

Tipping my head, I pretend to think about it. I tap my finger over my lips when it stops she squeezes her thighs together. She is getting turned on. “How about you let me do something to you no one else has ever done.”

Her lips part, a tiny puff of air escaping her. She shivers and her nipples poke delightfully against my white t-shirt. “Like what?”

“Well, sweetheart, whathaven’tyou done?”

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