Page 66 of Protecting Her Secrets

Skylar managed to charm Ridge yesterday, and now, after seeing the easy banter between Wilder and her, I feel weirdly proud. I didn’t even know I was worried she wouldn’t fit in with my life until now, but it must’ve been in there somewhere. Since I have no doubt she and Rowan will get along, it solidifies my feeling that this is where she’s meant to be.

After one of the most fun meals I’ve had in a long time, where Skylar poked and prodded my very serious friend, he leaves, and we start cleaning up.

“I’ll do the dishes tonight,” Skylar says.

“No, you’ve had a long day.”

She takes the plates from my hands. “You cooked, I’ll clean. Those are the rules.”

“Whose rules?” I ask.

“The rules everyone lives by.” She turns on the tap to fill the sink with sudsy water.

“Why don’t we leave these for the morning and go to bed instead?” Stepping up behind her, I grip her hips and pull her into me so she can feel my erection. I feel like a damn teenager with this constant state of arousal, but I can’t help it.

“You’re funny. You still have to take care of the animals, which I plan to help with too, but not until it warms up outside. You’re on your own until then.”

“Baby, you’ve never even owned a dog.”

“Neither had you before you moved up here. You learned, and so can I.”

“We’ll see. But you’re right—I can hear the bitches yelling at me.” I sigh and set out to do my nightly chores. “Come on, Sprocket. We got shit to do.”

It only takes me twenty minutes to get everyone settled for the night, since I had plenty of time to do a deep clean earlier while Sky was out. Sprocket and I take a short walk through the forest just to make sure everything looks as it should, and then I’m back inside, anxious to bury myself in Skylar’s hot body.

The lights are out when I get inside, so I double-check the locks on the doors and windows then head upstairs. My ears perk up at the sound of moody music and the scent of lavender. Nearing the bedroom, I feel the change in humidity and deduce she must be taking a bath. Which means she’s naked. And wet.

Wanting in on that action, I drop my pants and strip out of my shirt. The bathroom door is open, so in my mind, that’s an open invitation for company. I’m not prepared for how sexy Skylar looks illuminated by candlelight, hair piled high on her head that’s resting on the edge of the tub, a towel cushioning her neck, surrounded by milky water. Only the swells of her breasts are showing, but it’s erotic, nonetheless.

“Is there room for another?” I ask.

Her eyes are still closed when her lips turn up in a smile that hits me right in the chest. She’s happy because of me, and damn if that doesn’t make a man feel good.

“Of course. Come here.” She sits and spreads her arms wide.

“Oh, okay. I was thinking I’d be the one holding you.”

“Next time. You always take care of me; now let me take care of you.”

I push my boxer briefs down, already half-hard and on my way to fully erect, in hopes “taking care of me” means my dick will get some attention. Sinking into the water, I seat myself between her legs that immediately wrap around me.

“I want to give you a massage,” she says and dribbles oil over my shoulders and down my back. Then, her hands are on me, kneading into my muscles and making me feel like I’ve died and gone to heaven.

“Baby, that feels so good,” I moan, leaning forward to give her better access but also to put my lower back flush against her bare pussy. It does nothing to help my aching cock, but there’s something intimate about it that makes me feel good.

“I’m glad. How were the bitches?”

“Fine. Pissed they didn’t get yard time. The next week is supposed to warm up into the forties and be sunny, so hopefully, some of this snow will melt, and I can put them out in the yard.”

“The next year will be an experience. There’s a lot I need you to teach me.”

“Gladly.” I run my hand up and down her calf.

“Does that mean you don’t want me to get my own place after this whole thing with Klutch calms down?”

“Is that what you want?” The caveman in me wants to tell her in no uncertain terms that she’s not going anywhere, but the wounded, younger version of me needs to hear her choose me. Choose us.

“I don’t ever want to be apart from you again.”

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