That. That was worth the risk of skipping a condom.
With a smirk, I pull the fabric from his lips and kiss him, feeling his fingers swipe against my skin before easing into my pussy. My eyes flutter shut and I bite my lip to stifle another moan. I know what he’s doing. We both know it’s not going to lead to a pregnancy—at least, it better damn well not. But he loves ensuring every last drop stays inside me, and something about Chase marking his territory like this has me wanting to jump him again. I pull him in for a final slow kiss as his hand retreats.
I fight to catch my breath as he bends down to slip my bathing suit back on, pressing a soft kiss to my sensitive skin.
“I don’t know if I can walk back. I think you broke me.”
“Hop on my back.”
I give him a look of disbelief. This man refuses to believe anything negative I have to say about my size. I love that there’s no pressure to lose all the baby weight, or to be anything other than myself with him. But that doesn’t mean he can carry me down a winding, uneven dirt path.
“Cassidy, let me piggyback you. Or I’ll be forced to pick you up against your will and practice the best way to carry you across the threshold for when we get married one day.”
“Whenwe get married, hey? Bold statement.”
“Oh, it’s happening. I need to get a ring on that finger before I knock you up again, or I think your dad really will kill me next time.”
Reluctantly, I accept the piggyback and all eyes are on us when we turn back up at the riverbank. I sink back onto the blanket next to Blair, and she shakes her head with a knowing smile.
“Hey, Cass.” She leans back in her seat, and I feel her delicately stroke my exposed shoulders. “You’re gonna want to get Red to slather some Polysporin on your back later. Looks like you had a tangle with a feral cat.”
“We could also talk about what it looks like you’ve been doing.” I point at the poorly concealed hickies on her boobs, and she slaps my hand away with a laugh.
Chase settles in next to me, picking up Hazel from her bounce seat and tucking her against him. His left hand falls to my thigh, and I trace an imaginary line back and forth across his ring finger—cementing a promise I know he understands.
36
Red
Epilogue
Awarm summer breeze drifts through the open barn alley, carrying the aroma of fresh cut hay, and I slip a mint from my pocket to hand to Heathen. She takes it delicately from my palm and crunches while staring me down, ears perked and waiting like the good personal therapist she is.
“See, if you could be this polite all the time, I’d include you today. But it wouldn’t be a good look if you tossed me and my bride, would it?”
Her muzzle twitches and she leans in to sniff Hazel, who’s tucked against my side in a puffy white dress. She looks like a princess, smiling and trying to grab at the horse with chubby fingers. And, while she has my hair, she’s the spitting image of her mama.Thank God.
At eighteen-months old, she’s already a horse girl through and through. Thankfully, Heathen has enough sense to be gentle with toddlers, pressing her soft nose against Hazel’s open hand.
“Here, princess. Wanna give her a treat?” I pull another mint from my pocket and press it to her tiny, soft palm. Holding her fingers flat, I guide her hand toward the mare. “Like this, keep your hand open so she doesn’t nibble on your little fingers—might think they’rebaby carrots.”
She giggles at the feel of Heathen’s whiskers tickling her skin, quickly pulling her arm away with the biggest grin once the mint’s gone. I kiss the top of her head, patting the horse and turning to leave.
Cassidy’s watching us from the doorway in a wedding dress, and I quickly cover my eyes with my free hand. “Jesus. Isn’t this bad luck?”
She laughs, and suddenly I feel the warmth of her hands slipping around my waist. She smells so fucking good, and I want nothing more than to open my eyes, drink her in.
“Babe, if we didn’t already have luck on our side, we wouldn’t be here.” Her soft lips press to mine. “Besides, aren’t some rules made to be broken?”
Reluctantly, I drop my hand to my side and blink to focus on her. Long blonde hair in a braid with small white flowers tucked into the strands, a glowing smile sweeps across her face as she peers up at me through thick, dark lashes. Her dress is lacy, flowy, and low cut—and it’s going to look phenomenal on the bedroom floor tonight.
She takes a step back, clutching my hand in hers. “What do you think?”
“You’re…God,you’re something else. I-I…” I lick my lips, unable to come up with a way to express how gorgeous she is.
“Pwetty.” Hazel chimes in.
“Awe, baby. Thank you. You’re the prettiest girl here, though.” Cass squeezes her chubby cheeks, planting a kiss on her tiny nose.
