“Kitten.”
She’s tense, holding on to the handrail, refusing to look at me.
I never wanted to make her afraid of saying something, walking on eggshells around me.
I slide my arms around her, trapping Eliza between my body and the banister.
“I’d want two. When you’re ready,” I whisper into her hair. “The total number is up to you.”
She twists her neck to shoot me a scowl. “Don’t even joke about children.”
“I wouldn’t. I’m all in. In case you were wondering.” My lips graze the tender spot behind her ear. “I want at least two red-headed kids with their mother’s heart.” I press my cheek on her head, relishing her sweet smell I missed so much. “And my impeccable style, of course.”
I want her to imagine a future with me. I want her to wonder how our kids would look and dream about reconditioning old cribs for them. I want to love them so much there is no chance they’ll end up as miserable as I was.
Eliza’s eyes brim with restrained excitement. “What about your freedom?”
“It’s just agony if I can’t be near you. I’m bound to you. I want a future with you built on hope, not fear. What do you say?”
Chapter Forty-Five
ELIZA
The house is finally quiet after all the guests leave and I have the chance to tell Carter what’s been on my mind all evening. Pacing the wooden floor under the porch’s warm lights I brace myself for this conversation.
“Your family has different expectations for you. A…” The words are sour in my mouth, but it’s important I get them out. “A suitable wife. I’m not saying—” I fumble, but he silences me with a fiery kiss.
“It’s my choice. You’re my choice.” His resolution is set in the firm line of his jaw, determination blazing in his eyes. “Besides, I have an inkling my mother’s been rooting for you.”
“Maybe you should consider the implications.”
“That’s what I’ve been doing for the past four months.”
“Oh.” I lean on the porch column.
“I’ll give you time to catch up,” he says, pressing into me, his fingers tenderly grazing my legs.
It’s enough to set me on fire and I don’t stop his bolder touch, climbing under my dress until he reaches my panties. Without warning he rips them off me and he swallows my protest with his lips.
We’re both hungry after the time we’ve been apart. Carter is rushed and possessive, his greedy mouth and hands branding me.
The wooden column digs into my back and the fresh wind brushes the chill from the lake against my heated skin. I anchor myself tighter, a hand fisted in his hair, my legs wrapped around him.
“I…Oh, my. I missed you,” I mumble incoherently into his neck.
“Louder,” Carter growls, his pace punishing. “I want them to hear you across the lake so everybody knows you’re mine.”
In the in-between moment I shatter in his arms, the truth breaks free. “I love you,” I whisper into his mouth.
“Say it again,” he pleads, forehead pressed into mine.
“I love you.”
Carter’s toasty death grip around my waist is safe and strong, the warmth of his skin working as a heating pad on my aching soul. It’s difficult to wrap my head around the idea of him moving to Silver Lake Falls. All the hard work I put into letting go of the memory of him and the love I thought was one-sided was blown in the wind when he showed me he was here to stay. For me.
As much as I want to smother him with kisses and wrap my fingers around his morning wood, I slide out of his embrace as quietly as possible.
“I’ll be back in time to have my way with your lovely kitchen,” I promise him with a short kiss between his shoulder blades, and head to my place.
