Letting go of her knee, I lowered my body back over hers, kissing her soft and sweet until we stilled, and I rested my head on her chest, both of us trying to catch our breath.
“Love you, Deck,” she whispers, pressing her lips to my temple. I smile, lifting my head. I press a kiss to her breastbone.
“Love you too, darlin’.”
And I did. This love was different from my first, but that didn’t mean I loved her any less than I’d loved Ruthie. It just meant I loved her in a different way, but it meant just as much to me.
I loved Emily, and she’d never be in any doubt of that. She was mine to take care of until I couldn’t anymore.
I’m not sure how many times we reached for each other through the night but what I did know was contentment like I hadn’t known for a long time filled me as we fell asleep. It was good to go to sleep with my arms wrapped around another woman who’d come to mean the world to me.
CHAPTER 7
SHADOW HAVEN
EMILY
The smell of coffee pulls me from a deep sleep. The bed compresses, and I open my eyes when Red runs a hand over my head. “Hey, darlin’, the girls will be here soon to pick you up.”
Groaning, I bury my head under the pillow. “Why did you let me agree to go out for breakfast? I need my sleep.”
Red chuckles, pulling the pillow from me. He throws it to his side of the bed. Turning onto my back, I glare at him. How is it he’s looking as fresh as a daisy and I’m feeling like a tractorrolled over me? The man keeps telling me he’s old. Well, I have news for him. He’s got more stamina than a man half his age. I’d been thoroughly pleasured until I’d had to call for a break. Until last night, I hadn’t been with anyone in years, and I was feeling it.
He picks up the mug from the nightstand and holds it out to me. “Drink this, you’ll feel more human.”
Tucking the sheets under my arms, I scoot up the bed and rest my back against the headboard before I take the mug from him. My eyes close as I take a sip. “Oh, that’s better.” My eyes pop back open as he laughs softly as he gets up from the bed. He leans over, fists resting on either side of my hips. I lower the mug of coffee to my lap as he takes my lips in a firm, quick kiss. Then his gaze meets mine, eyes soft with the love he feels for me, mouth curling up at the corners.
“Finish your coffee, Em. I’ll start the shower. You have about a half-hour until Stacey picks you up. I’ve got to get to the workshop. Call me if you need me.”
Tilting my chin, I press my lips to his before drawing back. “I will, honey. Thanks for the coffee.”
“You’re welcome darlin’, see you later.”
With that, he kisses me one more time and saunters towards the bathroom to switch on the shower. He comes back out, gives me a wink and a wave, and leaves.
“Good lord that man’s hot,” I whisper to myself before I drain my coffee and hurry to get showered and dressed.
I make it just in the nick of time. Stacey pulls up in the new SUV that Maestro bought for her when Ford and Poppy arrived. She’s smiling wide and waving.
I never had a daughter, but if I had, Stacey would have been the one that I’d have wanted.
Opening the passenger door, I get in, greeting, “Morning.”
“Morning, Em,” Stacey smiles.
“Morning, Grandma,” Rosie chirps.
My heart feels like it skips a beat at those beautiful words; my gaze snags on Stacey’s for a minute. Her eyes are soft, and she’s smiling. Love floods through me for my new family. I’m not sure how I got so lucky to find them, but I was loving every second of having the chance to be a grandma. I’d never expected this. My heart was full.
Deciding I won’t make a big deal out of Rosie calling me Grandma, I turn and look over my shoulder at my girls.
“Morning, loves. How are my girls doing?”
Poppy burbles and kicks her legs, making me laugh, and Rosie goes right into telling me what’s happening in school and how much she’s going to miss Opal when she leaves.
It doesn’t take long to get to the small town of Shadow Haven. Stacey parks in the space reserved for her. Before long, we’re sitting at a table that Jenny reserved for us and I’m enjoying breakfast with the women in my life who have welcomed me with open arms.
It’s probably just as well the Queens Wraiths own the diner, or we’d have been kicked out. We’re loud. There’s laughter, teasing and, with Poppy being with us, there's a baby squealing to add to the mayhem. I love it.
