The Lemon Sisters (Wildstone #3)(87)

He grinned down at her and then teased her lips with the firm, full softness of his own, hijacking her thinking process. Was she just wishing it to be so, or was he actually making a promise of something more than just a few stolen moments of fire and magic? “To be honest,” she said softly, “you’re actually not my boyfriend.”

He pulled back to look at her.

“Because boyfriends come and go.”

“So do you.” He’d said this lightly, so she knew he didn’t mean to hurt her. And plus, it was the truth.

“I know,” she said. “But you don’t. Even when I’m gone for long stretches of time, even when I haven’t been able to believe in myself, you do.”

“And that makes me more than a boyfriend?” he asked.

She nodded, letting the sounds of the night speak for her as they stared into each other’s eyes. Their bodies were touching from nose to toes, the throb of her racing pulse sounding in her ears, with Garrett’s heart pumping calm and steady against her chest. “A lot more,” she whispered.

His smile faded, replaced by something hot and intense and hungry. She reached for him and he met her halfway, kissing her with a hunger that had her skin coming alive with hot pleasure and her bones liquefying. With a moan for more, she wrapped herself around his hard, hot body, hoping, wishing, as she nuzzled his neck, that she didn’t ever have to let go. She wanted to climb inside him, but barring that, she wanted this—needed this—and she rocked her hips to his. With a groan, he pulled back.

“Don’t stop,” she begged. “Oh my God.”

“Actually, it’s Garrett. And shh.” He nudged her to her back, one big hand cradling the back of her head and the other adjusting her bikini to bare her to the night sky. “I used to think about what it would be like to get you like this.” His hand began exploring. “Don’t close your eyes.”

“I think most people close their eyes before they pass out.”

That made him laugh. “I’ve dreamed of this, Bee. You beneath the moonlight.”

She already knew he was clever and diabolical with his hands and tongue, but she was still shocked when he put his mouth on her and she burst with shocking ease. She was still shuddering when she pushed him down to the rock and returned the favor, wanting to take him apart and put him back together as he just had her. Given his low oath, rough groan, and the way his fingers slid into her hair and fisted, she had done a decent job of it.

When they were both boneless and sated, Brooke let out a contented breath and stared up at the stars while the steady heartbeat of the only man she’d ever loved sounded beneath her ear.

After a few minutes, he tugged her into him and kissed her, slow and hot. “Again?” she whispered in disbelief.

“I can’t get enough of you.”

Ditto. And more terrifying than that, she was beginning to really think that maybe she could actually have this life, with him in it, and that they might really be able to make this work.





Chapter 22


“Don’t listen to me. I’m barely caffeinated—”

A week later, Mindy woke up in bed next to her still sleeping husband and smiled. Tomorrow, she and Linc would leave on their better-late-than-never honeymoon trip to Hawaii. He’d reassured her that Ethan would come through to take over the practice for the week. Originally her mom and dad were going to come watch the kids, but Brittney had offered to watch them instead. Mindy knew she could’ve asked Brooke to do it, but her sister had already done so much for her.

Plus, Brooke had been packed to go back to LA for days now.

But she hadn’t left.

Mindy wasn’t sure why, but she was afraid to ask and inadvertently set her leaving in motion. Either way, no matter how much she wanted to interfere, her sister would figure out her own life.

A life that looked like it would include Garrett. Mindy’s heart felt so full about that, it was nearly bursting. “Need to get up and pack,” she murmured to Linc.

“Babe, you’ve been packed for a week.”

“There’s packed, and there’s packed. I need to add my new bathing suit.”

Eyes still closed, Linc smiled. “I got us a private villa. You’re not going to need a bathing suit.”

Her body tightened in all her good places, and she started to roll over and jump him, but they were attacked by a munchkin with a soft giggle and Cheerio breath.

Mindy wrapped her arms around the sweet, warm body of her baby boy. “You’re up early.”

Maddox tossed his head back and barked as he wriggled on top of Linc, who groaned when a bony knee caught him in the groin. “Parenthood. Not for the weak,” he grated out. Coming up on an elbow, he ruffled Maddox’s wispy dark hair. “How about we let Mommy sleep in?” He rose from the bed and snatched Maddox up, hanging him off his back, much to the little boy’s utter, screaming delight.

Mindy loved the sound, but her eyes were glued to her husband’s bare back and the way his pajama bottoms hung low on his hips, showing off a world-class ass.

Mason came racing in. “Me, too, Daddy—me, too!”

Linc obliged, scooping him up as well, and then there were two squealing kids hanging off his back. In less than ten seconds, Millie had joined in, jumping up and down on the bed, impatiently waiting for her turn. Linc added her to the mix. The noise was horrendous. Over all of it, he grinned at Mindy, who felt her entire heart turn over and expose its tender underbelly for this man, whom she’d loved forever and never wanted to be without.