Page 143 of Meet Me in the Valley
Finallyhome.
Chapter Forty
LOGAN
She loves me.
She tastes like heaven if heaven tasted like champagne, strawberries, and absolute bliss. And she’s finally back in my arms where she belongs.
I steal every breath of hers, devouring her mouth like a desperate man. My hands slip to her nape, thumbs lightly pressing into the center of her throat.
Her whimper is so soft, just loud enough for my ears only. I want to coax every noise I’ve committed to memory out of her. Every gasp, whine, and moan is mine.
The booming from the fireworks overhead doesn’t compare to the deep thud of my heartbeat, picking up speed every time Tia takes her fill of me, tongues dancing and tasting—remembering each other.
When we pull apart, it’s only to take a quick breath before we’re diving back in, completely uncaring to the world around us. Hoots and hollers and bubbly laughs are just background noise to this moment I’ve been dreaming about since the day she left me.
I fought like hell to get back to her. Everything I learned about myself in our time apart has only made me a stronger man. A better man.
I’m going to be the man who sweeps her off her feet. Who kisses away her pain. Who worships and kisses the sacred ground she walks on.
Then I’m going to make her my wife. Build her a house. Put a baby inside of her.
It’s going to be me. I’m that man. I deserve it.
“Holy fucking shit! It’s official!” Kerry’s loud, exuberant voice has us breaking our kiss, smiling against each other’s mouths as our friends huddle around us.
The girls are shrieking at an inhuman level, holding Tia’s face while they babble on about how cute we are and how happy they are for us.
The boys jostle me between them, like I’m their personal victim in the middle of a mosh pit. As happy as I am to be back home—myrealhome—with all the people I love, I need time alone with my woman. These hooligans can wait.
“Alright, alright, easy boys! Let me get back to my girl.”
“Mygirl?!Oh, god, I can’t take it!” Audrey squeals, throwing her arms around my neck.
Audrey then slips a key into my pocket. “The room is all set for you two. Welcome home,” Audrey whispers in my ear, kissing my cheek.
“Thanks, Auds.”
My body hums with anticipation. After weeks of planning this return, I’m beyond grateful for my friends. It wasn’t easy asking them to keep this from Tia—but the look on her face, that heart-stopping kiss? Worth every second.
I pull Tia’s hands into mine, guiding her into my chest as my arms slide around her waist. I kiss her again, slower this time, as if my lips need to reacquaint themselves over and over.
When she pulls back, her smile lights up the room. She glances around at our friends, eyes wide with wonder, arms still fastened tight around me.
“Did y’all know about this?” Tia asks, half laughing, half stunned.
Lips tighten. Faces go still. Everyone suddenly finds the floorrealinteresting. Audrey lets out a snort that she immediately tries—and fails—to muffle with her hand.
“I’m sorry!” she blurts, grinning through it. “It was just so sweet what he planned for you. IsworeI wouldn’t say anything.” Another snort escapes her.
Donovan groans playfully, pressing a kiss to her temple. “So much for keeping a secret, Mouse.”
Tia’s eyes shimmer, giving me that look that will make me run through walls for her.
“You guys gonna stay for sparklers?” Wyatt asks. He has his arm around a petite woman. Donovan told me he was dating someone new. They look nice together.
“You must be Caroline. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Logan.” With one hand still wrapped around Tia’s waist because there’s no way I’m letting her go, I thrust out my hand to offer Caroline a handshake.
