CHAPTER FIFTEEN

RHYS

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ONE YEAR LATER...

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She smells like honeysuckles and me.

The scent lingers in her hair and dusts her soft flesh. I like it. Any scent as long as it's combined with mine.

"Do you think we can add a greenhouse?" Addie tips back her head on my shoulder, taking her green eyes off the blueprints of our new home to search my face.

I'm already looking at her. My eyes have an inability to notice anything else when she's there.

She's my flame. The light that draws me.

"We can add whatever you want," I tell her, brushing the pad of my thumb over her chin.

She's in my lap clad in a tiny, white dress with a million purple flowers all over it. The front has a lace up that's been taunting me for hours to tug loose. But I haven't. Instead, her hair is brushing my jaw, her tight, sweet ass is on my thighs and my cum is drying between her perfect thighs.

A man really can't ask for more.

The sun dances in her eyes and glistens in the thick strands she's twisted into a braid over one shoulder. It's been an exceptionally scorching summer, but it's been perfect for laying down the foundation and starting on the walls. Neither of us are in any hurry to get the structure done, both of us agreeing we want to make sure it's perfect. I think Addie's excuse is getting to live across a yard from her mother. The two have been inseparable since we both left our apartments six months ago and returned home — to the pool house — to oversee the construction and plan the wedding.

"How many bedrooms do you think we'll need?" she asks.

I brush the side of her face with the tip of my nose. "How many babies are you going to give me?"

Addie laughs and kisses my nose. "How many do you want?"

I shrug. "Until you can't anymore."

Her laugh deepens. "Jesus, my poor vagina. No, we're not going for a record here. Why don't we start with two?"

I nip her bottom lip with my teeth. "Four."

"Three," she counters.

"Four."

"Fine, four."

"Six."

She huffs, amusement dancing in her bright eyes. "That's not how negotiations work, mister. I'll rescind my offer and go back to two."

I growl deep in my throat. "Ten."

"Lord..." She kisses me deep and hard. "Four!"

"Five."

She rolls her eyes. "Let's start with one, okay?"

My heart leaps in my chest. "Now?"

"No, not now! We need to finish the house and get married."

I'm practically vibrating with excitement when flattening my palm over her smooth belly. "After?"

She's searching my face, her expression full of so much love my chest hurts. "After."

I kiss her with all the raw happiness brewing up through me. It seems the feeling has been growing stronger with every passing day until I can't seem to breathe around it.

I would die without her, I realize vaguely. My entire existence hinges on her every breath.

"What?" she says when we pull apart.

I shake my head, unable to find words to describe the thin line between madness and stability I've been walking on.

I'm thankfully saved from having to blabber my way through it when my phone chimes in my back pocket. Addie makes to get up, but I tighten my hold on her middle and pull the device out with my free hand.

"It's Dad. He wants to know if we want to join them for supper tonight."

Addie thinks about it before giving a slight nod, but her phone dinged on the makeshift table the crew has set up on the outskirts of the project to keep the plans when they're working. No one's here now. It's just me and Addie and a lifetime.

"Aw!" Addie turns her phone so I can see the screen and the banner congratulating her on being a member for three years. "I miss our chatroom." But she shuts the screen off and tilts her face back to me. "Want to start heading back? If we're going to have supper with our parents, I'd like to help make it."

I graze her delicate jawline with my fingers before brushing her lips with my thumb. "I love you."

Her features immediately soften the way they always do when I tell her. "I love you, too."

She kisses me briefly before pushing to her feet.

I let her. I let her brush her skirt down around her thighs and take her phone. I let her take several steps away from me, moving in the direction of our parents' house. I watch the sweet sway of her hips and stroke my cock once through the rough grain of my jeans.

Without taking my eyes off her back, I open the app and send her a single message in our chatroom.

"Run."

I watch Addie glance down at her phone. Read my threat. Turn.

Our eyes meet.

Neither of us blink as I reach down and undo my belt. The useless little straps on her pretty dress shiver. The fabric tightens with every labored breath as I drag my belt free.

Addie sucks in a breath. Her eyes go wide with fear and excitement.

I fold the long strip of leather and smack it into my palm once with a satisfying crack.

My baby squeaks. Turns on her heels and bolts into the woods.

I let her run.

I give her a head start.

I wait until she thinks she's gotten away before starting after her.

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THE END