Page 102 of Mine For The Winter

He caught her eye, a half-smile on his face. “She thinks I’m making progress.”

Kelly nodded but said nothing.

“I’m not asking for you to believe in me. Not yet.”

Her lips parted and a soft sigh escaped. “It’s not you. I just… I’ve spent a long time depending on myself.”

“I know that. And you’ve done a great job.” He reached out for her hand, taking it in his own. “And I know you’re worried about Cole.”

“I’m always worried about Cole. That’s a mom’s job.”

“And you do it well.” It made him think of his own mom. The one who barely gave him or his brothers any attention. “Cole’s lucky to have you.”

“I’m the lucky one,” she whispered. “Even if I do have permanent scars.”

It was like she was finished with the conversation, as she rolled on top of him, her legs straddling his. She looked magnificent, her breasts high and tight, her stomach curved and smooth. And there was that scar, right above her pelvis. He reached out to slide his finger along it.

“Ugh. I hate this thing.” She looked down at her stomach, grimacing.

“I like it. A reminder of just how amazing medical intervention can be. Somebody cut into you and brought out a baby.”

“Yeah, and then I got an infection and for six weeks I couldn’t bend over without crying out in pain.”

He frowned. “Did Lyle help after Cole was born?”

“The first day or two, yeah. And then he got upset because every time he went near Cole he cried.”

“Lyle or Cole?”

She grinned. “Cole. And Lyle thought it was because he hated him. I told him babies can’t hate anybody but he walked out in a huff.”

“I wish I’d been there to help you.” He propped himself up on his elbows, capturing her lips with his.

“You’re here now,” she said, her voice thick.

He felt himself stir again, the need for her as strong as ever. And she must have felt it too, because she rocked against him, her body slick.

“You need to go home,” he murmured.

“I know.” She rocked again, leaning down until her breasts were pressed against his chest, her lips against his. “So let’s make this fast.” She reached down to curl her fingers around him, putting him right where she needed him.

And when he slid inside of her again he groaned.

He’d never get bored of this. Never get sick of watching her face as she slowly rode him to the sweetest oblivion he’d ever tasted.

Curling his hands around her hips, he moved her faster, harder, until they were both breathless and on the edge.

And when they tipped over the edge for the last time that night he wasn’t sure he’d ever recover.

26

“Everything okay?” Carmen asked as Kelly walked into the tavern the following afternoon.

“All good. Thanks for holding the fort while I dropped Cole off at school.”

“No problem. I’ve been amusing myself watching the guys over there try to repair the tree.”

Kelly followed the direction of Carmen’s gaze. Sure enough, North was halfway up the huge tree that stood in the center of the town square, a harness around his waist as he tried to fix something in his hands. Was it the lights? She knew they’d been temperamental this year, mostly thanks to a huge storm they’d had the week after the tree had gone up. The water had caused problems and North was constantly trying to sort the lights out.

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