With a finger to my lips and a quick shake of his head, he says, “No, you’re not apologising for this, Harlow. I never automatically expect you to choose me. I’m fuckin’ grateful when you do, but I never take it as a given.”
Wrapping my arms around his neck, I kiss him again.
Deeply and thoroughly, I don’t rush it.
I’m going to be late for my class, but this time with Scott is important to me too.
By the time I’m finished, our bodies are pressed hard to each other and I’m breathless and more turned on than a Peloton class calls for, but when your husband says stuff to you like Scott just said to me, it calls for this kind of kiss. “I love you, Scott Cole, and you should organise for your mum to have the kids overnight so I can take my time showing you just how much tonight.”
“Fuck,” he growls before bruising my lips with one last kiss. Then, letting me go, he lifts his chin and says, “Get dressed. I’ll see you tonight. And Harlow?”
“Yes?”
“I’ll be home at six. I want you naked on this bed with your legs spread waiting for me.”
Every inch of my body comes alive at his demand, and I watch him stride out of our bedroom with some regret.
This is why Scott Cole is the man I will love with every breath I have until the day I die.
He cherishes me in ways I’ve never been cherished.
He turns me on in ways I’ve never been turned on.
He respects me in ways I’ve never been respected.
And he loves me better than I’ve ever been loved.
19
COLT & ECHO
MOVING HOUSE
Eight years after their book, which is one year after the Epilogue in their book
Echo’s POV
“I think we’re good, babe,”I say to Madison as I juggle my phone between my ear and my shoulder while also trying to tape up a box filled with Tupperware.
“Okay, well just let me know if you guys need help. I can watch the kids while you move stuff. Or I can do anything. Whatever you need.”
Colt and I are moving house in two days. And after living in this one for six years, we’ve accumulated some stuff. A whole lot of stuff we don’t need. Packing has been an effort for me, especially with four children and a husband who has been away on club runs a lot lately.
“Mum has the kids today and tonight, and Colt is on his way home. We’re going to knock this out tonight.” And if I have my way, he’s also going to knock me out with a million orgasms. Well, maybe a slight exaggeration there, but I plan to keep him going until I pass out.
The rumble of Colt’s bike fills my ears. “I’ve gotta go. I’ll yell out if we need you.”
We end the call and I walk out to the garage to greet my husband.
He’s been gone for three days on a run, and to say I’ve been counting down the minutes until his return is an understatement. The kids have been a handful this week. The house has been a handful this week.Lifehas been a handful this week. I just need my husband. He always rights my world when he comes home.
I run my eyes over him as he gets off his bike and walks my way.
His hair is a little longer than usual, so I make a mental note to book him a haircut. He also needs a new pair of jeans. The ones he’s wearing are looking old, and they remind me that most of his jeans are the same. I’ll buy him some new ones next week.
“You look like you’re planning a million things right now,” he says as he reaches his arm around my waist and pulls me in for a kiss.
I press my body to his and grasp the side of his neck, holding his mouth to mine when he ends the kiss. “No.”
