Page 55 of A Little Luck

Last night, I almost didn’t turn away in time. My stomach drops at the thought of him seeing my ugly scars, at the thought of him recoiling and then finding out how they got there, but my soul is so tired of hiding. I’m ready to tell him everything.

“You okay?” His voice is soft, and I realize my troubled thoughts are all on my face.

Quickly relaxing my expression, I smile and close the space between us, climbing into the bed in my soft gray pants and long-sleeved tee.

“I’m much better now that I’m with you.” Putting my hand on his bare chest, I kiss his full lips.

He’s so gorgeous and so wonderful with my son and so good to me. I never want to lose this. I want to stay here forever, safe with my gorgeous protector.

Large hands span my waist pulling me to sit on his lap in a straddle. “Let’s see what’s under here today.” He lifts my shirt, and my stomach tenses.

In this position, facing the lamp, if I lift my arms, he’ll see my scars. Exhaling a shaky laugh, I dive off him, onto my back in the bed and shimmy out of my shirt in a way that covers my damaged sides.

His brow quirks, and he rolls over on top of me in that way that I love, resting on his elbows and holding me down with his delicious weight.

Lowering his face, he kisses the side of my neck, sending electricity skittering through my stomach. I laugh and wrap my arms around his neck.

Deep blue eyes hold mine for a moment, and I know he has questions. He doesn’t ask them. He only lowers his mouth to mine, pushing my lips apart and sweeping his tongue inside to curl with mine.

My breath rises in my chest, and my arms tighten as our lips part. His kisses are demanding, devouring, and delicious. With my eyes closed, I’m guided by the pressure of his mouth on mine, the teasing sweep of his tongue igniting a fire in my core.

A soft sigh escapes on a breath when he lifts his face to smile down at me again.

“I think you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” His voice is low, and my eyebrows lift.

Blinking fast, I hold back the tears his unexpected compliment provokes. “I feel the same way about you.”

Closing my eyes again, I lift from the bed to press my mouth to his, kissing him with all the love beating in my veins. He has no idea, but even saying what he did only makes me want to trust him even more. He’s become everything to me, and I want to give him everything.

Spreading my legs, I do just that.

CHAPTER12

ADAM

Piper is wrapped in my arms, and I watch the sunrise grow through my open blinds. I usually keep my bedroom in pitch darkness at night with blackout shades drawn and all the doors closed.

Since that first night with Piper, I’ve been leaving them open. It’s the only way she’ll let me see her, and I don’t want to miss a thing.

I also don’t really understand why, and it bothers me. I want to reassure her.

A few times last night, it felt like she was about to tell me something, but ultimately she didn’t. Our time alone is limited. These stolen moments won’t be an option when she’s back in her house with Ryan. I feel like the clock is ticking faster every day.

Sliding my fingers along the line of her red hair, my chest squeezes as I watch her sleep. I want her to be my wife. I want Ryan to be my son. What would she say if I put it all out there and simply proposed? I think she’d say yes.

“Mm…” She inhales, lifting her cheek off my chest and leaving a cool place behind. “Sorry, I slept late. Don’t we need to get up and meet the contractor?”

She blinks pretty green-hazel eyes at me, and the ache in my chest melts to warmth. “You didn’t sleep late. We’ve got a half hour.”

“That’s all?” She’s off me in a blink, hustling to the bathroom and switching on the shower. “I can’t meet the contractor smelling like sex.”

Swinging my feet off the bed, I walk to the bathroom where she’s inside the stall. “It’s true. I should get in there with you.”

“No!” she squeals, holding the shower door shut. “You’ll slow me down, and I’ve got to get to work right after we meet him. Wednesday’s edition is due at the printer by five.”

I put my hands on my hips, smiling as I watch her through the frosted glass doors. “I’ll get the coffee going then. Leave me some hot water.”

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