Page 101 of True North

“Ha—”

I choke on a thin inhale.

His thumb continues to run circles over my clit as the bonfire in my core roars to life.

With a growl, he sucks my nipple. Hard.

I explode around him, hips bucking into his harsh thrusts. Back arched. My hand, still in his hair, tightens, white-knuckling his messed-up brown hair. His mouth parts as he winces, but his lips curl up the tiniest bit as I cry out.

He’s taking in every shape my face takes, every sound I make, every movement. He’s mesmerized.

Like I’m his true north, and he refuses to let his eyes wander, to lose focus. Never wanting to lose his way ever again.

I won’t let that happen.

I tighten around him further, taking up the rhythm, desperate to give him back what he’s given me. It’s more than a release, it’s my heart and soul, the days I have left to live. The happiness, joy, love, and anything else I can give. It’s his.

It’s ours.

Harry takes my face, dragging my mouth to his as he meets me thrust for thrust.

“I love you, Louisa May Masters,” he breathes. His forehead meets mine, and he growls, low and heady, as hot ropes flood into me. I ride him through his release, wanting to draw out every last ounce of his pleasure.

Starting now, this man has my utmost attention.

His breathing settles as he leans back with his palms flat on the bed behind him. The sweetest smile pops over his handsome face.

I lean down and kiss that smile, dusting my lips over his.

“For the record, Harrison Rawlins, thank you for waitin’ on me.”

Something like disappointment flashes through his eyes, but he runs a finger between my breasts and up my neck before tugging on my bottom lip.

“Sure thing, darlin’.”

ChapterTwenty-Six

HARRY

“You good with a stick?” I ask as Louisa slides behind the truck’s wheel. The dawn’s light seeps around the broad mountains to the east. I pluck the collar up on my jacket and throw Lou’s extra coat onto the seat beside her.

“Yep, no problem.” She fires up the old girl like she’s been doin’ it forever. I shut the driver’s door and lean through the open window. The weather is coolin’ off more, and I need to ride out to check the herd. Lou’s workin’ a shift at the diner and then one at the restaurant. It’s gonna be a late one. “I’ll see you later, sweet man.”

Dotting a kiss onto her forehead, I step back as she drives off, making her way to town. My days are long on the back of a horse, but they pale in comparison to being on your feet all day and half the night, trying to keep her dream going and scratchin’ out a livin’.

Hardest workin’ woman I’ve ever known.

Sorry, Ma.

That sees me pause. The next cold breath sends an ache spreading through me like it had fuckin’ permission. It hurts. The absence of her. The things she will never be here for. I readjust the hat on my head, swallowing past the lump in my throat. The wind picks up, changing direction, buffering against the old worn hat on my head.

I can almost hear the words right outta Ma’s mouth.

Now, don’t you go feelin’ sorry for me, my love. Things are just as they’re meant to be.

The old trees surrounding the house creak as the wind wrangles its way through their old branches.

I clench my jaw, stuffing the splinter of pain back down. Ma wouldn’t want me pining over what could have been and things that may never have been. So, I stalk my way toward the barn. The cold earth and dead grass crunch under each step. The gelding nickers as I walk through the door into the slightly warmer space.

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