She reared back in laughter as I carried her across the driveway and into the house. I didn’t stop until we got to the bedroom, where I dropped her on the bed. “This is where we are going to sleep until you go back to North Carolina. And we’re going to fuck like bunnies and make up for lost time while you’re here. We’re not cursed, and nothing is going to come between us again. The past is where it belongs—in our rearview.”
She smiled up at me, her long blonde waves falling all around her on the bed. “But we do still need to discuss the money for Wrax.”
For fuck’s sake. Why couldn’t she let it go?
“Wren.” I pinned her hands above her head. “Stop bringing up the fucking money.”
“But he’s my horse, and you shouldn’t have had to pay for him. It’s a lot of money, Axel.”
“And we’ve already said, it’s a lot of love right here between us, right?”
She smiled, shaking her head as if I made no sense. “Why would you pay for my horse.”
“I’m going to tell you why, and then this is the last time we’re talking about it.” She just stared up at me before giving me a slight nod to continue.
“I want to pay for Wrax because I’m in love with a girl who loves her horse. And I’d give my ranch and my business and everything I own to give you what you want. So this was easy. I was able to do it and proud to do it. He’s protected you and loved you when I couldn’t be there with you. So don’t ask to pay me back again because it’s not up for discussion. You are the sole owner of Wrax now, and no one can take him from you. And that’s how it should be.”
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“Was that so hard?”
She thrust up against me, since her arms were still pinned above her head. “No. But something else is awfully hard.”
“Damn straight, woman.” I leaned down and kissed her neck. “So are we on the same page now?”
“We’re on the same page.” She nipped at my bottom lip.
I leaned down and kissed her. It was slow and sweet, and I planned on taking my time.
We kissed until our lips ached, and I slowly undressed her, kissing my way down her gorgeous body.
There was a tremble in her hands when she reached for me, and I paused.
“Hey, is this too much? There’s no pressure.” I kissed the inside of her palm.
She shook her head. “No. Not too much at all.”
“Tell me what’s going on in that head of yours.” I hovered above her.
“Promise me that this will change nothing. That no matter what happens, we stay best friends, Axel. I won’t survive losing you a second time.”
I intertwined my fingers with hers. “Nothing will come between us ever again. No matter what life brings us—I love you. If we’re living on opposite ends of the world and you need me, I’ll be there.”
Her lips turned up in the corners. “In a heartbeat.”
“In a fucking heartbeat, Wren.”
“Deal. So why am I the only one undressed?” She sat forward and unbuckled my jeans, tugging the zipper down before shoving them down my thighs, along with my briefs. She licked her lips when my dick sprang free, pointing at her like he was picking her out of a lineup.
How long had I waited for this moment?
How long hadwewaited for this moment?
I kicked my boots off, then freed my jeans and briefs as well, tossing them all on the floor in a heap. I tugged my shirt over my head and dropped it on the floor before moving to the nightstand and reaching for a condom. I tore off the top and tossed it on the floor.
“I’ve never been with anyone without a condom,” she said. “And obviously I haven’t been with anyone in a long time, and neither have you.”
“I’ve never been with anyone without a condom, either.” I studied her.
