Chapter 46

46

MERRITT

M y heart fluttered in my chest. “Are you serious, Kannon?” I asked, although the look in his eyes answered my question for me. I should have known he would never joke about something so big.

“As a heart attack,” he responded, his voice quiet and serious. “I’m ready for this next chapter with you. We’ll look at the house next week. If it’s right for us, we put in an offer. Unless you’re getting cold feet.”

“Not a chance,” I said.

“Speaking of,” he said with a smile. “I did what you asked. I walked a few potential renters through the house.”

“Thank you for doing that for me,” I said. “I feel like I’ve been spinning in circles this last week between tying up loose ends in Miami and packing the apartment and just everything.”

“Which is why I was happy to do it.”

“So, any good ones?” I asked.

“There was one in particular that stood out. It was a young family with a daughter. She’s four years old. Milly. They have a dog, an old lab just like you guys had. The similarities to your own family are uncanny. I really feel like the house was meant to be theirs.”

That made me smile. It was exactly what I had been hoping for. “We should call them in the morning and ask if they want it,” I said.

“I agree,” he said.

We walked a bit longer. “Ready for the next surprise?” he asked.

I raised an eyebrow. “We did the fancy dinner. You gave me flowers. Chocolate for dessert and you bought me jewelry. What else is there?”

He chuckled. “I’ll show you.”

We walked back to his truck. After a bit of a drive, to my surprise, we pulled up to the Ritz-Carlton.

“What are we doing here?”

“A night in a luxury hotel,” I said. “We are not spending our Valentine’s night on your air mattress and my place is just a bachelor pad. We are spending tonight in luxury.”

I grinned. “I think I like this pampering.”

He chuckled and lowered his voice to near a whisper, a sound that sent goosebumps down my body. “Get used to it, Buttercup. I don’t plan on stopping.”

Our room at the Ritz was the stuff of dreams. It had an expansive view of the cityscape, a king-sized bed covered in silk sheets, and a bottle of champagne chilling on the marble countertop in the small kitchenette. Kannon picked up the bottle and poured us each a glass before coming over to where I stood by the window.

Clinking his glass against mine, he pulled me into his side. “To us, and to our future,” he said, his voice just above a whisper. “May each day be better than the last.”

I turned to him, my glass in one hand, the other intertwining with his. “To us,” I echoed before taking a sip of the sparkling beverage. The bubbles exploded on my tongue in a delightful fizz. I couldn’t help but giggle from the sensation.

“I like this,” I admitted before taking another sip.

Kannon chuckled, his eyes trailing down to my lips. “I have plans for you to like even more tonight,” he said, his voice a low rumble.

I bit my lip, feeling a wave of anticipation. “Oh really?”

“Mmm-hmm,” he replied, taking my hand and leading me toward the bed.

The room was warm and inviting, the scent of lavender and vanilla filling the air. As he pulled back the covers, I kicked off my shoes and climbed onto the bed. He joined me a moment later, his body pressed against mine from shoulders to ankles.

“You smell good,” I murmured.

“Thanks,” he said with a lazy smile before leaning down to press his lips against mine. The kiss was slow and thorough, teasing me until my fingers curled into his shirt. His hands ran up and down my back, exploring the curves of my body in a way that made me shiver with desire.

This night was perfect—the kind you dream about as a teenager but never quite expect in reality. And it was all because of Kannon. The man who had been by my side through thick and thin, who made me laugh until I cried and then held me until those tears dried up. I knew tonight was just the beginning of our story, and I couldn’t wait to see where it led us next.

His hand reached for the zipper at the back of my dress and slowly inched it down. His tongue teased my earlobe. The sensations of pure ecstasy rolled over my body.

“Shh,” he whispered, pressing his fingers against my lips. “Just let me take care of you tonight.”

I nodded, my heart racing in anticipation. He slid off the bed and pulled me back with him. He pushed the dress down, revealing the sexy red lingerie I had chosen for the night. It left little to the imagination. Delicate lace and sheer fabric covered just enough skin to entice and tease. Tiny rhinestones added to the seductive allure, drawing the eye to every curve and contour. When I saw it while shopping with the girls in Miami, I knew I had to have it.

“Fuck me,” he groaned. “This is beyond anything I could have imagined. Merritt, you look absolutely edible.” His gaze roved over me appreciatively as he took in the full effect of the surprise.

I smirked and struck a pose. “You don’t look too bad yourself.”

I reached out to touch the sleek material of his dress shirt. He undid the buttons one by one, revealing a chest toned from his long days of hard work. He was an exquisite sight that made my heart jump.

“Your turn, Kannon,” I said, pushing the shirt off his shoulders and onto the plush carpeted floor.

He laughed, a low and seductive sound that vibrated against me.

“I might have a bit of a surprise for you,” he said.

“Oh?”

He nodded. I watched as he undid his belt and then the button on his slacks. When he dropped his pants, I gasped and then burst into laughter.

“I’m not sure laughter was what I was going for,” he said, grinning.

I reached out and touched the silk boxers in bright red. A pink heart was right over the crotch.

“Happy Valentine’s Day,” he said, a goofy grin spreading across his face. “You can’t say I didn’t put some thought into it.”

I took a moment to gather my composure, pressing a hand against my mouth to contain any residual giggles. “Well, you’re right about that,” I admitted, pulling him back toward the bed. “It’s very festive.”

He reached for me and kissed away any additional laughter. My heart pounded as his hands slid down my sides. We fell back onto the bed. He kissed my nipples through the flimsy fabric of my lingerie.

“Kannon,” I moaned. I couldn’t help myself. “I want you.”

“Not yet,” he purred, skimming his hands down my hips until he reached my thighs. “Let me take care of you first.”

He pulled my panties to the side and slid one finger into me, exploring my wet folds. I arched my back in response. His touch was electric. “You’re so fucking wet for me,” he murmured against my skin.

I gave a small whimper, wanting more than his fingers could give me. He pulled away and quickly jerked my panties down. He dove between my legs like a man starving. I clutched at the silk sheets beneath me, my eyes fluttering shut as I felt the heat of his mouth on me. Every brush of his tongue sent shivers coursing through my body. His fingers dug into the soft flesh of my thighs, holding me still as he feasted. My fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer.

Suddenly, he pulled away, leaving me panting and wanting. But before I could protest, he had slid up my body, his lips finding mine in a heated kiss. I could taste myself on his tongue, a fact that made my body pulse with renewed desire.

He pressed his hardness against me through the thin fabric of his boxers. “Are you ready?” he whispered into my ear, his voice husky with need.

My answer was muffled as I captured his lips in another demanding kiss, my hands working to rid him of his last piece of clothing. He took the hint and cast it aside.

He seemed to know exactly what I needed and positioned himself at my opening. He pushed in slowly, filling me up perfectly. We both groaned in unison. The bed creaked beneath us as he took me hard and fast, hitting all the right spots inside me with each thrust.

The scent of sex and sweat filled the air as we moved together like it was our first time. Each sound that left our lips sent sparks flying. The muffled moans mixed with the heavy breathing and soft grunts of pleasure, filling my ears.

“Kannon,” I gasped, my nails digging into his shoulders as the orgasm built within me.

“Shh,” he whispered, his mouth against the skin of my neck. “Let go, baby. Just let go.”

And so I did. The world exploded in a rush of pleasure as I dove over the edge into ecstasy. His name left my lips in a wail as I came, my body shuddering under him.

His eyes were closed tightly, his jaw clenched as he finally let go. The man groaned and filled me with his seed, both of us shaking from the intensity of our lovemaking. His breathing was ragged as he collapsed next to me on the bed.

“That,” he exhaled, “is what practice tastes like.”

I laughed and rolled over to spoon with him, burying my face in his chest. I could feel the beat of his strong heart beneath my cheek. “I like your definition of practice,” I said softly.

He chuckled and pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “You know me,” he replied, his voice still a bit hoarse from earlier. “I always aim to please.”

“How are your ribs?” I asked breathlessly.

“Fine.”

“Next time, I’ll be on top,” I said. “We don’t want you hurting yourself.”

“Trust me, I feel no pain when I’m inside you. All I feel is absolute bliss,” he murmured, wrapping an arm around me to pull me even closer. His fingers gently brushed the skin of my bare back.

I allowed a contented sigh to escape my lips. Tucked into his embrace, I felt safe, loved, and cherished. It was a feeling that, prior to Kannon, had been elusive. But now that I had him, I knew it was a feeling I never wanted to give up.

“I love you,” I whispered, pressing a gentle kiss to his chest.

He tilted my chin upward so that our eyes met.

“I love you too,” he said in a husky whisper that sent tingles down my spine.

His lips found mine again in a soft, tender kiss that spoke volumes more than words could ever express. Pulling away from the kiss, we lay quietly beside each other.

If the rest of our nights together were like this, life couldn’t get more perfect.