Beautifully Broken Pieces (Sutter Lake, #1)(88)

I pushed my backside against the growing bulge in Walker’s sleep pants. “He did clear me for moderate activities…including bedroom-type things.” My voice was thick with the last remnants of sleep and growing desire. I hadn’t had Walker inside me in what felt like forever.

Walker’s hand dipped below the waistband of my sleep shorts, and I sucked in a breath as he teased my folds. A growl sounded in my ear. “You’re already wet. Fuck, I love that.”

A very unwelcome knock sounded at the door. “What?” Walker barked.

I giggled.

“Uh, breakfast is ready. If you’re not too busy.” I’m sure if we could have seen my bestie’s face, it would have been flaming red. Carter and Austin had stayed in Sutter Lake for the last three weeks, baby Ethan in tow. They’d wanted to help Liam and me recuperate. We’d had matching severe concussions, though Liam’s was a little worse than mine. The wounds on my stomach, while awful-looking, weren’t actually that deep. They’d probably scar, but there was no permanent damage. I was incredibly grateful.

“We’ll be out in a minute. Thanks, Carter,” I said, still fighting laughter. I loved having all the people I cared about most in the world at the cabin with me. It made for tight quarters, but I loved the feeling of having them all as close as possible. It had been a time of healing and repairing of relationships for all of us.

Walker, on the other hand, was just about done with the cramped living space. He growled in my ear again, but this time out of frustration instead of arousal. “I am taking you to my house today.”

I chuckled, the action causing delicious tingles to overtake me since Walker’s hand was still between my legs. My laugh turned into a moan.

Walker nipped my ear again and removed his hand. “Soon.” He kissed my neck. “Very soon.”

The way Walker could play my body with the barest of touches was criminal. I groaned and forced myself into a sitting position.

Walker was by my side in an instant, his brow creased. “Are you okay? Is something hurting you?”

My face softened, the frustration melting away. “I’m fine.” I brushed my lips against his. “Just pouting because I wanted a lazy morning in bed with you.”

Walker grinned and pulled me to my feet. He pressed his warm lips to my forehead, and I soaked in the feeling, warmth filling my entire body. He pulled back, tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear. “I have something I want to ask you.”

I studied his expression. It was hopeful, with some excitement and a touch of nerves mixed in. “Okay…”

“We haven’t talked about the future much.” My stomach tightened. We really hadn’t. We said that we loved one another all the time now, but that hadn’t transitioned into future talk. I’d wanted him to broach the subject first. The old-fashioned Texan in me shining through, I guess.

Walker pressed on, his eyes drilling into mine. “I want you to stay.” My shoulders sagged in relief. “And move in with me.” He brushed his lips against mine. “Make a home with me.”

My insides twisted in the best possible way, my stomach dipping at the promise of building a life with Walker. “There’s nothing I’d like more.”

His eyes searched mine for any hint of doubt, but I knew he’d find none.

A smile broke over my face. “I’ve actually been looking into what I would need to do to get certified to teach in Oregon.”

Shock washed over Walker’s face, and I smiled wider. “Really?”

“Really.”

Walker pulled me tighter against him. “That makes me real fuckin’ happy.” He pressed a hard kiss to my mouth that softened as his tongue swept in. He slowly pulled his lips from mine. “I love you, Taylor.”

I’d never grow tired of hearing it, especially when the blue blazed in his mostly green eyes, the way it was now. “Love you to the moon and back.” It was something my mother used to say to me, and I’d taken to saying to Walker. I figured she’d like that I did.

His eyes softened. I’d told him that it was something I’d shared with her, and he’d said he was honored to share it with us both.

“Come on, guys! Finish banging so we can eat already!” Liam’s voice rang out from somewhere outside our door.

The growl was back as Walker declared, “We’re moving you out today.”

I giggled, throwing my arms around him and burying my face between his pecs.

We quickly dressed, brushed our teeth, and made it out to the dining room.

Liam gave Walker and me a devilish grin. “Well, well, well, if it isn’t the two lovebirds.” He let out an exaggerated kissing noise, and I elbowed him in the gut. “Hey! I’m still wounded.”

I snorted. “You’re as wounded as I am, which is not at all.”

Liam grinned. “I don’t know, my head still hurts a bit. Think one of those cute nurses would make a house call?”

Both Walker and I groaned. Liam had had the entire hospital staff aflutter with his presence, especially the young nurses. Luckily, his charming personality had endeared them all to him, even the straight men, so the press never found out about him being in Sutter Lake.

Liam knocked shoulders with me. “Come on, help this poor injured soul put the silverware out.”