Page 86 of The Keeper

“Fuck, Piper,” he panted, burying his face in my neck as his movements became erratic. “Where do you want it, baby?”

“Inside me,” I gasped, squeezing his shoulders. “Want you to fill me up.”

Dane pulled back to search my face. “You know what you’re asking for?”

My teeth sank into my bottom lip, and I nodded. “Real.”

His fingers dug into the soft flesh of my hips as he thrust upward with a guttural groan, flooding my body with his seed. I clung to him, shuddering through the aftershocks of my own release as he pulsed inside me.

We stayed like that for several long moments, our bodies still joined as we caught our breath. He peppered soft kisses along my neck and shoulder, his beard tickling my sensitive skin.

“You okay?” he murmured, gently easing his fingers from my body.

I gave him a thumbs up, feeling boneless and utterly sated. “Super duper.”

He chuckled and carefully lifted me off his cock before laying me on the bed. “Don’t move. I’ll be right back.”

Moments later, he returned with a warm washcloth and carefully wiped away the evidence of our lovemaking before tossing it in the hamper and climbing back into bed. He draped himself over my body like a blanket, nuzzling his cheek against my breasts.

“I love you,” I whispered, cupping his jaw in my hand.

“Love you too, darlin’.” Dane turned his head to kiss my palm, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on my hip. “More than you know.”

I stroked his damp beard, savoring the feel of the coarse bristles beneath my fingers. The room was quiet except for the occasional rustle of sheets. “I have a question about being your Ol’ Lady…”

Dane tilted his head back to meet my gaze, his brow furrowing slightly. “Having second thoughts already?”

“No, not at all,” I assured him quickly. “I just... I have some questions.”

He relaxed slightly, shifting to prop himself up on one elbow. “Shoot.”

I bit my lip, trying to find the right words. “Will I have to give up my career and just blindly obey whatever you say while being stuck at home all day? Because that’s not who I am.”

His expression softened. “Baby, the last thing I want is for you to be something you’re not. This is a partnership. I want you by my side, not behind me. So work if you want to work and call me on my shit when I’m being a dick. I can take it.”

“Honestly, I don’t think I want to go back to the bakery,” I quietly admitted. “After everything that’s happened... I’m not even sure I’m cut out to live in the city anymore.”

Dane’s arm tightened around me protectively. “You’re one of the strongest women I know, darlin’, and there’s not a doubt in my mind you could live anywhere and make it work.”

I nodded even as my heart sank. Because when it came down to it, I didn’t feel very strong.

“But I wouldn’t be the man you chose to spend the rest of your life with if I let you step foot back in that building.” He paused, his forehead wrinkling as if he was debating his next words. “Truth is, I was hoping you and Avery might want to move to Lubbock.”

Relief flooded through me at his words. “Really?”

“You’ve already given up a hell of a lot because of me, so I don’t want you to feel pressured. If you’re open to the idea, I reached out to Carnage,” he continued. “He’s into commercial real estate and bought a shopping center for his Ol’ Lady’s dance studio.”

I nodded, not quite following.

“There’s an empty space next to it,” he said, his eyes lit with excitement. “Prime location, lots of foot traffic with people coming and going to classes. Could be the perfect spot for a bakery. Your bakery.”

My heart raced at the possibility of owning my own place before reality quickly set in. Between medical bills from Avery’s birth and justtrying to keep my head above water as a single mom, I hadn’t exactly been able to save up.

“Dane, that sounds amazing, but I don’t have the capital for something like that,” I admitted, my voice small. “And starting a business from scratch?—”

“Hey,” he interrupted, gently gripping my chin and forcing me to meet his gaze. “You carried our daughter for nine months and raised her alone for her first year. Now, it’s my turn to take care of you both. This is part of being my Ol’ Lady.”

Tears pricked at my eyes as the full weight of his offer sank in, and I blinked rapidly to keep them at bay. “I don’t know what to say.”

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