Dreams about saving dogs. About showing them kindness and affection. About giving them a home until the perfect dog parents find them.
As soon as I voiced that wish, my husband was on his phone again, breathing life into my dreams.
To him, I’m never foolish. He never forces me into one role or the other.
His sole purpose in life is to see me happy and fulfilled.
Now, I am.
“Go on, little moon.” He slides his hand to my other shoulder, scooting over with his chair to fold me into a side-hug. “Sign, and it’s yours.Rourke, Sweet Rourke.”
My eyes tear up at the name of our future shelter. Nodding, I initial and sign the sale contract as Elowyn Faye Rourke.
As I move through the contract, one page at a time, Duncan’s quiet pride warms the room.
“You made it,” Duncan says as I hand the final page to our lawyer. “It’s finally yours.”
It’s not just mine. It’s ours. Actually ours.
“Couldn’t have done it without you.” I stand, smoothing down my gray dress.
Our lawyer outstretches his hand to shake mine, but my husband doesn’t care. He cradles both my cheeks in his palms, his fingers long, calloused, and perfect.
“You’re the reason my life makes sense.” His low voice sends tingles throughout my body. “You’re the reason all of this is possible. Only ever you.”
After years of being belittled and treated as less than, it’s still hard to accept what he’s saying.
I give it my best, though, whispering, “Yes,” before returning to our lawyer.
We shake hands, and then he lets himself out.
For a brief moment, it’s just Duncan and me here. Two people who lost so much but somehow got even more in return.
“I love you.” Duncan’s lips brush mine before he leans in for a rougher, deeper kiss.
He’s kissing me as if it’s the last time.
It definitely doesn’t feel like the first one.
I’m no longer an innocent girl who’s never been kissed. My lips, teeth, and tongue know what turns my husband into a wild animal who groans into my mouth.
And he, my king, doesn’t rush it like he did in the hallway of my childhood home.
There’s no one to hide from. Nothing to be ashamed of.
Our love is beautiful. Free. Ours.
“Fuck, I’m dying to bend you over this desk.” Duncan’s mouth traces the length of my neck, his hand tugging on my hair. “Need inside you.”
“Tonight,” I laugh, and moan. Just a little. “After we tuck in the kids.”
“Ugh.” The way he growls, my panties are instantly wet. Always. He pulls back, his dark eyes staring down at me. “Fine. Tonight, I’m going to rail you so hard, Mrs. Rourke. Going to fuck a fourth baby into you.”
“Okay.” I grin wide, butterflies fluttering in my belly. “I’m ready for number four too. So ready.”
One more kiss, and we step into the living room, where the world explodes into chaos.
The good kind.
