Page 60 of Catching His Runaway

Instead of just surprising him, he returns the favor by wrapping his arms around me. “I swear, if you make us think you are dead again, I’ll track you down and kill you myself, all right?”

Even if he has grown softer over the years, he still really knows how to use his words.

“I really don’t think Tommy will let that happen. Either of those things, I mean.” Returning his hug, I make sure not to leave my mother or Urzo feeling like I’ve forgotten them. Knowing that this isn’t some goodbye, not yet, I plan on spending as much time with them as possible.

That is, if Tommy and I can keep our hands to ourselves. Something tells me this honeymoon phase of ours won’t be ending anytime soon. If I get anything from my siblings, it’s the weakness for the one I love.

Once all the threats are made and the promises are given, Tommy lures me away from my family and toward the bushes. His hand finds the middle of my back, and his steps are surprisingly quick.

“I wonder if Santino will pick a place with something like this. I’ve always loved the gardens,” I murmur as we stride past a blur of blossoming petals.

Tommy doesn’t give his opinion, tucking us behind a bush before he kisses me. It seems he’s happier than I thought.

“Your brothers are too protective. I didn’t want to think about them trying to steal you away,” he explains as he pulls away. “I’ll have to make them forgive me before we leave. They’ve never held anything against me before. Taking you away is almost unforgivable.”

“They will, eventually.” Mouth curving, my eyes shine with amusement. “Plus, they’ll visit.”

“Hopefully not too often,” he mumbles under his breath, which earns him a laugh from my lips.

He groans, enjoying the sound far too much. Makes it hard not to laugh again.

“If you change your mind, even for a moment–”

“I won’t, I promise.” Shaking my head, I flatten my hands on his chest and grip his shirt, pulling him so he can kiss me again. Over and over, until my head spins. There’s no point in counting anymore, especially since I know that this is far from the end of the unlimited kisses I’ll demand from him as our future unfolds.

20

Tommy

Epilogue

Out of the hundreds of ways I’d prefer to wake up, the squawking of birds isn’t on my top ten.

With the weight of sleep resting against my eyelids, I groan softly in the back of my throat and reach out so I can pull Valeria toward my chest. Instead of finding her warmth, I discovered an empty bed instead.

“Valeria?” I call out, my voice scratchy from sleep. She doesn’t answer me, giving me no choice but to get up.

Lingering long enough to fetch my boxers from the carpet, I tug them up to my hips before going on the hunt.

Checking each room one at a time, I don’t find her. With there only being one other option, I am forced to get dressed before I risk causing any trouble. Even if our home is a way for most people, it’s not worth it in case a tourist comes by by accident.

Once I am popping out of the house, I find Valeria exactly where I think she’ll be. Spread out against the lawn chair planted in the sand, she flips through what looks like a magazine as she soaks up the heat of the sun. Wearing nothing but a swimsuit that reveals more than I am willing to let any other man see, my chest tightens, and my cock hardens all at once.

Stepping toward her, my shoes protect me from most of the heat of the sand. She must hear me coming, because she looks behind her, lifting her sunglasses to take me in.

“Good morning,” she starts, giving me a cheeky smile that makes it impossible not to melt. “Or should I say afternoon? You slept in a bit.”

It’s not my fault we stayed up half the night together, but I won’t be the one to remind her. She’s already flushed enough from the summer heat.

Blocking out the sun as I look down at her, I can’t help myself. Even after all of these months spent at this beach house, my feelings for her haven’t changed. I can’t help but sweep down and steal a kiss, needing more and more contact from her.

Murmuring her pleasure against my lips, she pulls back slightly. “Shame you didn’t come out here and your trunks. I wouldn’t mind a dip to cool off.”

With her teasing tone, I know I can’t let her be too cocky without going to her head.

Gasping at first, and then choking on a gable, she claws at my shoulders when I lean down to scoop her up. “What are you doing?”

“You want to cool off, then we’re going to cool off.” Moving toward the ocean and its crashing waves, I don’t falter when she wiggles. One flip-flop at a time knocks off her feet, and she’s smart to ditch her magazine quickly to avoid letting it get ruined.

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