Page 32 of Castle's Cards

As the heat begins to build in my belly I moan, grinding my hips into his. Carter groans before he releases his orgasm inside me. I reach my peak at the sensation of him pulsing and ejaculating inside me. We don’t separate until we’re both finished, and instead of collapsing onto him, I lay down next to him.

Carter pulls me close, kissing me deeply before tucking a strand of hair behind my ear before giving me a soft smile.

“I’m glad I told you, Addy. I feel closer to you than I have felt to anyone since Elise.”

It should feel awkward that he’s mentioning her name right after what we’ve just done. But my heart swells with love for him, appreciating that he’ll mention her casually at all.

“I’m glad you told me, too.”

“You mean the world to me.”

When I look into his eyes, I see the truth behind his words. I know what he wants to say. I want to say it, too.

Carter’s not ready, and I’m okay with that. After everything I’ve learned today, I’m realizing that we may have to take things more slowly than I thought.

Maybe it would bother someone else. But for me, being with Carter is enough.

Chapter Eleven

Carter

Iflipdownthedriver’s seat mirror to look at myself. The morning after I stayed at Addy’s two days ago, she informed me about the dinner she was having so that she could meet Izzy’s new boyfriend. At first I wasn’t sure if I wanted to get involved in something like that, but after she insisted that she could use the buffer, I agreed.

Now I’m sitting in the car second-guessing myself. I just got Izzy to like me. The last thing I want is for this dinner to go poorly and make things tenser between me and Izzy, or even me and Addy.

Sighing, I close the mirror and get out of the car. I brought another bouquet of flowers. This time I chose pink roses and with a vase so she doesn’t have to use the tea pitcher. When I walk up to the front door and knock, Addy answers. Which is surprising, because Izzy has always been the one who answers the door.

Leaning forward, I kiss Addy on the cheek and walk in.

“This is a lovely surprise.”

“What is?” Addy asks, her eyes widening. I laugh at the expression.

“You answering the door. It’s always been Izzy.”

Addy chuckles and shakes her head.

“Right. She's still in her room getting ready. I guess things are different when it’s her date. Come join me in the kitchen?” Addy’s eyes finally flit down to the bouquet in my arms. Her eyes light up. “A vase!”

I laugh.

“I figured it would be smart to get you one. Considering all the flowers you're bound to be getting in the future.”

“Oh, really? And how many flowers will that be?”

I grin mischievously.

“I can’t let you in on all my secrets.”

Addy rolls her eyes and takes the vase of roses from my arms. She sets them in the middle of the small wooden dining table that occupies the tiny dining space.

I watch as Addy adjusts flowers and fluffs the bouquet to her liking. When she’s finally satisfied with the way it looks, she steps back and smiles.

“It’s perfect.”

“I’m glad you like them.”

Addy smiles broadly before motioning for me to follow her into the kitchen.

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