“I just wanted to think today, to sort it all out in my head. I was about to call Jed. I didn’t want to dump it all on you.”
“Love is all about dumping on each other,” I informed him as he laughed and grabbed my hip, pushing me to lie on my back.
“I want to see you. Naked Lily, finally in my bed where you belong.”
I pushed my body back against his chest. “No, it’s too bright in here. And I don’t look the same.”
He frowned. “You’re beautiful. What are you talking about?” His hands on my skin made me feel beautiful, but my insecurities about my body had taken over.
“I’ve had two kids, Luke. Things aren’t as tight and smooth as they used to be.”
He grabbed my behind and squeezed, making me giggle. Then his hands started wandering, up over my breasts, back down over my waist. I shut my eyes. “Hmm, your tits are bigger.” I gasped, before a startled giggle escaped. “Your hips are rounder but that only makes your waist feel smaller. And your ass...” He gave it another squeeze. “All I see is beauty and all I feel isyou.”
“I have scars, from Calla,” I whispered.
“I have scars too, and none of them are from something as beautiful as Calla.” He sat up and grabbed my hands when I moved to cover myself.
“Uh-uh,” he said. “Don’t hide from me.”
I relaxed, and he let my hands go. His eyes traveled over me, followed by his hands, softly moving over my skin. He stopped at the scar from my C-section. “Is this it?”
I nodded, and he bent down to kiss it, tickling my skin with his beard.
“And where is the one from Dylan?” His lips quirked up at the corner. He knew.
“Uh, you already kissed that one. Earlier, on the couch.”
He smirked. “Should I kiss it again?” His smile now was pure flirty Luke. It transported me back to the past when our love had been simple and easy.
“You can kiss that one whenever you want. I recommend you do it often because it hurt worse.” I laughed as my insecurities flew away. I suddenly felt silly for even having them in the first place. I sat up. “My turn. I want to see yours.”
He smiled and held his arms wide. “Go for it.”
I started with the one on his chest that I’d discovered a few minutes ago, right below his nipple. I kissed it and laughed when it made his muscle flex. “Ticklish?”
“Some things never change. Be careful,” he warned on a grin.
I pushed his shoulders to make him lie on his back. He relaxed into the bed with a grin. “I have a lot of scars, baby.This could take a while. And mine aren’t pretty little pink and white ribbons like yours are.”
“I’m going to kiss them all better, Luke. No matter how long it takes. I’m going to know you again, every inch.”
His eyes grew serious. “Don’t ever let me go, Lily,” he said.
“Never, Luke. You’re mine, and I’m yours, and it will stay that way. Forever.”
He pulled me down on top of him and wrapped me in his arms.
Chapter 25
Luke
“We should get up.” I opened my eyes at Lily’s whisper, mentally rejecting her words because I liked it right where I was. Lily was draped across my chest and I could feel every inch of her warm, sweet body against mine. Her beautiful hair was spread out behind her as she traced meandering patterns across my skin.
I was in sensory overload. The dream I’d had since I’d left her had finally come true. I was in heaven, and I did not want to move. This was the moment I’d been hoping to have from the moment I laid eyes on her again. I hugged her tighter against me and shook my head.
“I have to get the kids from my mother. Rocky is there, and we should bring the kids to go see Liam,” she murmured against my chest. Despite her words, she pulled me closer, tucking herself tighter against me.
I couldn’t get close enough to her. Even being inside her wasn’t close enough. My heart was bursting at the seams while tears pricked against the back of my eyes. I wanted her to need me. I was desperate for it, because I needed her so much. I trembled when she kissed me gently across my chest. I siftedmy hand through the hair at her nape, and she leaned forward to give me better access. She’d always loved it when I played with her hair. Funny how this could feel so new yet so familiar at the same time.
