Page 93 of Wandering Souls

“But you’ve met them, Abi. There are no strangers to be worried about. As far as your father is concerned, everyone is family. Even me and mine.”

He looked genuinely chuffed about that, too. Reaching up, she cupped his stubbled cheek. “Your sister looks so relaxed now.”

“I know. I knew she’d love it out here.”

He’d said he wanted Grace to stay, to find a job in the Crossing and escape the rat race, just like he had. Granted, it would do the woman a world of good, along with her daughter, but Abi saw her hesitation. Did Ray understand how much he asked? She felt it, too. He hadn’t said anything about her leaving in two weeks but she thought she saw it in his eyes. He wanted her to stay as well.

“And Millie is having a blast.”

He shook his head in wonder. “It’s like she’s the kid I remember. Adventurous, playful, carefree.”

“Do they think it’s weird that you’re here with me and not them?”

“Nah.” He grinned. “Millie adores you and Grace approves.”

Did Grace know she was going to leave? Abi gave a mental shake. She’d promised herself she wouldn’t dwell on it until she had to go. Thinking about hurting Ray cut too deep and raised way too many questions she couldn’t answer.

“I like them, too.”

“I’m glad.” He leaned in and rubbed his nose against hers. “Where was I?”

Putting a hand to his chest, Abi pushed him backward. Ray’s eyes widened in surprise and then narrowed in mischief as she climbed onto his body.

“Oh, I see.”

He cupped her breasts as she settled over the heat of his groin. Her body registered his length as she ground her hips against him. Ray growled, impatient. His erection hardened and she shifted her hips to help him find the right spot. Relying on her birth control implant had taken their love making to a whole new level and as he slid into her, she let out a satisfied moan.

Rocking against him, she focused on the hardness inside her and allowed him to set the pace. His hands slid down to hold her hips, guiding her at just the right angle and speed to bring her so close to the edge she let her eyes close in anticipation of the sensation about to rush through her. He held her still, and when she looked down into his eyes, she fell into those green depths and knew what he wanted. He didn’t hide anything, didn’t deny it, but he didn’t say it, either.

Ray sat up and wrapped his arms around her, kissing her deeply and slowly. The leisurely way his tongue pleasured her mouth was to die for and the possessiveness of his hold on her body completely and utterly divine. With the smallest of movements, he catapulted them over the edge into bliss.

Breathing heavily, she sank into his embrace and laid her head on his shoulder.

“It just keeps getting better and better,” he rasped. His hands slid up and down her spine and despite the summer heat filling her cottage, Abi shivered against him. “You okay?”

She lifted her head and kissed him. “Never better.”

“I told you,” he said with a wink. “Two hours.”

Abi used her hands to frame his handsome face and stared into his eyes. “I’ll give you one.”

“Deal.”

~

As Abi slotted herJeep in amongst the other cars, Ray recognized Ben’s huge blue Raptor, Hollywood’s Hilux and Gabe’s canary yellow SUV. The line of vehicles parked beside the large white marquee surprised him. At just after ten, he hadn’t quite expected so many people to be here already. Glancing at Abi, he saw tension creep into her body. Her shoulders hunched and her jaw clenched.

Ray turned to the backseat and smiled at his sister and niece. Bruce had firmly wedged himself between them and practically grinned as both patted him. “Would you girls grab everything from the back? Millie, can you be in charge of Bruce today?”

She nodded, her makeup-free face fresh and bright. “Sure. Are there any other kids my age?”

He went over the guestlist in his mind and scrunched his face into an apology. “Not really. There’s Jack, who’s eleven, Holly, who’s nine and Matthew who’s seven. Oh, and Max, who’s not yet one. Sorry.”

She didn’t look bothered. “Okay. I can be queen of the kids today.”

He waited for them to exit the vehicle before setting a hand on Abi’s. “You okay?”

She turned worried eyes to him. “I had hoped no one else would be here yet.”

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