Page 30 of Cord

He settles on the bed and leans back on his elbows. “Is this a deposition? Because I’m not going to lie, seeing you in lawyer mode is hot as fuck.”

“I won’t be easily distracted,” I answer even as my gaze strays to that place between his legs. It’d be so much easier to forget about this conversation and pretend I know nothing. But ignoring my own inner voice is what caused so many problems with my ex. If I’d only listened to myself early on in the relationship, maybe things would have been different.

He smirks. “Are you sure about that?”

“Cord, be honest with me,” I say.

Something about the note in my voice must snag his attention because he blows out a breath. “I know what he did to you. I don’t want a dime from you. It’ll take time, but I’ve got this.”

“I believe you,” I say softly as Lauren’s words come back to me. They put so much time and money and energy into searching, then one day against all odds, he’s coming home. “The search and rescue missions for Vale. You helped finance them, didn’t you?”

He shrugs. “It’s done now.”

“It’s why it had to be in cash. You’re getting in and out of other countries without being detected, probably getting weapons and gear. It all makes sense now. You’ve carried the lion’s share of the financial burden for that. You should have said something.” I wish he would have. With my net worth, I can wipe out the debt without blinking. Hell, I can earn that kind of cash again in less than a year.

“It’s not your burden to worry about.”

“We’re married. Your burdens are my burdens.” I remember how tenderly he held me in the kitchen during the thunderstorm, how he’s cared for Molly and Milo, how he’s made me breakfast and painted our kitchen yellow. He’s shown up in a million different ways.

“Look, I’ll work for Crew and continue to help out here on Valor on the weekends. Everything will be paid down eventually.”

“Okay.” I nod even though I have no intention of letting him work hard for decades to come. He’s not the only one that likes to take care of his spouse.

“You’re letting this go easily,” he says, narrowing his gaze at me.

I smile, feeling lighter now that I know the truth. “What can I say? I’m learning to trust my instincts, and my instincts tell me that you are an amazing man.”

“I love you,” he says as I crawl into his lap and press soft kisses to his face. We’re a tangle of heat and lips and limbs until he pulls away. “Wait, first, I have to do something.”

He pats the pocket of his clothing and pulls out a ring box. He opens it to reveal a small engagement ring with a heart-shaped emerald. “Mira Moore-Brewer, would you make me the happiest man on earth and promise to stay married to me forever?”

My heart swells, and tears leak from my eyes as I tell him yes over and over again. He’s my perfect groom, and he’s made me the happiest woman on earth.

Chapter 15

Cord

“I’m home,” I call out as I enter my cabin. I smile at the blanket thrown casually on the couch and the new pillows with some type of sassy saying on them. I nearly trip over a collection of dog toys that are strewn about the hardwood floors, which are now covered in a braided oval rug.

Ever since Mira moved in two weeks ago, she’s made this place feel like a home. We still split our time between Asheville and Courage County, but she tells me that one day soon she’d like to make the move here permanent. She says this is the place where she wants to raise her kids, which drives me crazy. Every time she starts talking about the babies she wants to have, I end up inside of her. I can’t wait to see her grow round with my child. At this point, I’m starting to think that half the reason she brings up her desire to start a family is so she can end up pinned under my body and writhing.

“In here,” Mira calls, and I follow the sound of her voice to the kitchen. The air smells delicious as usual. Molly and Milo are at her feet, licking their lips and begging for whatever scraps she’s willing to throw their way.

I lift the lid to the slow cooker and take an appreciative sniff. This woman loves to cook. Doesn’t matter if it’s for humans or her dogs.

“Smells so good,” I tell her.

She looks at me from where she’s standing at the stove, stirring a pot of stew. “Get away from that. It’s for the babies. Our food is over here.”

I love the way she calls our dogs the babies. It always makes me smile to have her here, turning this lonely cabin into a real family home.

“Is your dad coming by for dinner?” He stops over at least once a week for dinner, depending on his schedule. When we’re in Asheville, he usually has us over to his place for a meal.

He’s a cool dude, and I get why Mira chose him for a business partner. Beyond being her dad, he’s got a head for business like I’ve never seen. He has the perfect blend of experience and honed instinct. It makes me curious to see what Mira will be like in the years to come.

“Come here and test this for me,” she says and holds out a spoon.

I stride across the kitchen, waiting patiently as she blows on the food before offering me a bite. I take it, nodding my approval.